Chapter 3
There were two days left before I set off.
I went to the bank to handle foreign exchange for my studies overseas.
As I walked out of the bank, a mascot in the mall stopped me.
Noticing the puzzled look on my face, the person took off his hood. It was Ned Hansen, my neighbor back in town.
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“Grace? What a nice coincidence! It’s been a while. When are you coming back?”
I was an orphan. Thanks to Antonio, I had a family, including a daughter.
For his sake, I left everything behind, including the small town I was so familiar with. Too bad I made the wrong choice.
I forced a smile. “I won’t come back.”
Ned smiled, “You know what? Back in the old days, I thought I had a chance with you.
“Well, I’m glad you’re with someone who can make you happy.
“Let’s go. I’ll treat you to a meal.”
Then he went to his manager to ask for some time off.
He got paid 20 dollars a day working here at the mall, but he insisted on taking me to a restaurant where a meal cost at least 100 dollars, saying it was money well spent because he didn’t know when he’d get to see me again.
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288 Vouchers.
I had no choice but to say yes.
The most luxurious bridal shop in Breguadale was right next to the restaurant.
At the sight of it, I remembered that Antonio had once promised to take me for the best wedding photos and give me a grand wedding. Then I couldn’t help but look inside.
To my surprise, I saw Antonio, Blanche, and Kendall.
Stunned, I stood in situ, while Antonio saw me and Ned.
He immediately rushed out and punched Ned in the face.
Then he snapped, cursing me, “Grace, you’re a slut. Are you this horny? You even hook up with this loser? Oh, right. That makes sense. You’re just a bumpkin from a small village. This good–for–nothing is perfect for you.”
“Antonio, you’re crazy!” I said.
Then I helped Ned up and stood in front of him.
Ned was shocked when he heard Antonio insult me. After all, Antonio used to love me so deeply.
My eyes turned sore as I stared at Antonio and Blanche in their wedding attire without blinking. Then I questioned them with great hatred, “What about you? Are you playing house? Do I need to prepare a gift for wedding?”
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Antonio was stunned for a second, not expecting me to retort. Soon, he came back to his senses and roared at me matter–of–factly, “Blame yourself, Grace, for being so poor. You embarrass me!
“Kendall wants a beautiful, graceful mom. Blanche agreed to come here
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to take wedding photos with me only to fulfill Kendall’s wish.
“Just because you’re a slut doesn’t mean everyone else is like you. Stop always assuming the worst of people, OK?”
Meanwhile, Kendall clutched the hem of Blanche’s wedding dress and shouted at me, “You’re so ugly! You’re not my mom!
“Get out of our lives! I want Blanche to be my mom!”
Smug, Blanche provoked me, “Grace, you gotta accept the fact that you’re getting old. A word of advice? Some cosmetic surgery won’t do you any
harm.”
I clenched my fists so hard that my nails were digging into my palms, but I felt no pain at all.
Then I took a deep breath.
“Antonio,” I said, my voice cold.
Using his own words against him, I continued, “Who the heck do you think you are? You’re Kendall’s birth father. Other than that, you have zero connection with me. You’re not in a place to tell me what to do.
“Feel free to act like a loving family of three however you want. Just stay out of my sight. You disgust me.”
Then I turned to Blanche. “You have a thing for being a homewrecker? You wanna be with this piece of shit I dumped? Go for it.”
After saying this, I helped Ned up and left without looking back.
Antonio roared angrily behind me, and Blanche feigned gentleness and comforted him patiently. Their voices gradually faded away.
Ned said to me, trying to make me feel better, “Ignore them, Grace. You’re
the best.”
Everyone in the small town agreed with him. Though I was an orphan, many people tried to set me up with outstanding men.
Yet, Antonio loathed me, thinking I disgusted him.
Now that I had been reborn, I wouldn’t give him another chance to hurt
- me.
