Randolf’s POV
The music started, and Jeremy stepped onto the stage, wearing a crisp white suit.
He smiled and waved at the crowd, and the twins couldn’t take their eyes off him.
Amid the gasps and whispers of admiration, their gazes met his, the moment practically glowing with envy.
But once upon a time, they used to imagine standing next to me.
As Jeremy played the piano, Nella and Allen began to dance.
The hall buzzed with energy, reaching its peak as guests’ cheers and applause erupted.
Nella and Allen greeted everyone with smiles that lit up the room.
But when their eyes drifted in my direction, they skimmed right past me—like I wasn’t even there.
I sat alone in a quiet corner, swallowed by the noise as if the world had forgotten I existed.
And then, out of nowhere, a memory flashed before my eyes—the promise I made when we were kids.
I could see it so clearly: their wide, innocent eyes, brimming with hope as they looked at me.
“Randolf, when we grow up, I want to dance in front of everyone at least once.”
“I’ve never stood in front of a crowd in my whole life. Will you help us?”
“I will,” I promised.
“Then we’ll dance just for you, Randolf. And then, you can choose one of us to be your bride.”
That soft, fleeting touch on my face from that day—it’s stayed with me, buried in my heart like a dream.
And tonight, I finally helped them fulfill their wish.
But the reality? It couldn’t be further from the dream.
When the music stopped, they stood there, radiant, in the most beautiful moment of their lives.
I placed my gift quietly on the table, ready to leave.
But before I could, Jeremy called out to me from the stage.
“Wait! Tonight, we have a very special guest with us—the childhood friend of our school Belles! Come on, Randolf! Turn around and say hi to everyone!”
In an instant, the spotlight swung toward me, locking me in place.
Every eye in the room turned my way, sizing me up based on my suit. Their voices were full of disdain.
“That’s the guy who didn’t even get into college?” someone whispered.
“Yeah, I heard the school Belles were super close to him when they were kids!”
“Close? So what? Without a degree, his life’s going nowhere. Guys like him are nothing compared to us.”
I ignored the murmurs, my gaze cutting through the crowd, searching for them—those two women on stage.
I was asking them, silently.
‘This is what you call friendship?’
‘Putting me on display for everyone to laugh at?’
‘Not even saying a word in my defense?’
But they wouldn’t meet my eyes. They looked away, saying nothing.
I felt so sad that I just wanted to laugh it off.
Once upon a time, they cared about me so much. If someone made fun of me, they would’ve jumped to my defense without hesitation.
But now?
They just stood there, letting the crowd mock me like the two didn't care anymore.
Meanwhile, Jeremy’s smug grin widened. Holding back a laugh, he said, “Randolf, here’s your moment to shine! Come on, let’s all see what you brought for our two princesses tonight!”
All eyes turned to the small gift box in my hand.
I knew there was no way out, so I silently unwrapped it and stepped onto the stage, handing it to Nella and Allen.
The moment the necklaces inside were revealed, someone in the crowd gasped.
“Oh my God! Those are limited-edition luxury pieces from this year—they’ve got to cost tens of thousands each!”
My childhood friends froze, their hands covering their mouths and their eyes glistening with emotion.
“Randolf, this… this is way too much,” they stammered.
Their reaction should’ve moved me. But all I felt was sadness, heavy and unshakable.
Those necklaces weren’t just gifts. They were treasures Grandma refused to sell, even when her illness caused her unbearable pain.
She had told me, “Every girl should have something to her name. Promise me you’ll give these to them.”
And yet, standing there, I knew—Nella and Allen wouldn’t remember her kindness.
They just reached out for the necklaces.
