Gideon knew that walking away in front of so many people would destroy my reputation, but he still never thought about me.
Things always had to go the way Gideon wanted, but I was the one who got hurt.
Because our families had arranged the marriage, he always assumed I would give in to him.
Normally, with my temper, I would have stopped myself from making things worse for him, but he went as far as slipping the wedding ring onto another woman’s finger.
It was in that instant that I realized that once something was stained, it could never be wanted again.
Remembering the dress I had ordered before returning home, which should have been finished by now, I went by myself to the private studio.
The moment I stepped through the door, there was Gideon, holding my custom-made gown against Addison Cooper to see how it looked on her.
My eyes trembled uncontrollably.
That gown, designed by Gideon himself, had been made for me to wear at Grandpa Enzo Fontaine’s birthday banquet.
Back then, his smile seemed like a flower.
“When Grandpa sees me marrying you, he’ll be overjoyed. The gown I designed myself, only the one I love most deserves to wear it.”
But that same gown was now being given to Addison. In the courtyard, I stood there, unsure whether I should go inside.
When a sound reached him, Gideon turned his head and came out quickly.
“Ophelia, I didn’t mean to leave you there alone. I just knew you’ve seen the world, and you could handle such a small scene on your own…”
No words came from me; instead, I turned to Addison.
“I’m glad Miss Addison is all right.”
Surprise crossed Gideon’s face as he spoke seriously, “You grew up without parents, and you’ve always been strong. But Addison isn’t like you. If I hadn’t gone after her, she would have lost herself.”
“I love you so much I’d give my life for you. You’ll forgive me, won’t you?”
“I can’t.”
Growing up without parents had now become yet another reason I was expected to give in to them.
My eyes dropped to the gown that Addison was holding. “The gown you designed with your own hands, shouldn’t it be worn by the one you love most? What’s left for you to love me with?”
Avoiding my eyes, Gideon quickly explained, “Ophelia, you’re the one I, Gideon Fontaine, am going to marry. Addison has been with me for three years; I just wanted to make it up to her a little.”
I no longer wanted to look at his hypocritical face. Turning toward the studio manager, I said, “The gown’s been worn by someone else. I don’t want it anymore. The deposit and penalty fee, eighty thousand in total, send them all to the Quinton family.”
After I finished speaking, I turned and walked away. To keep myself steady, I pressed my nails deep into my flesh.
Behind me came a tearful voice. “Miss Ophelia, are you angry because of me and President Gideon?”
“It’s my fault. I was worried that Miss Ophelia would hear gossip after returning, so I thought about resigning and leaving first.”
“I never expected President Gideon to stop the engagement ceremony and chase after me. If Miss Ophelia is upset, please scold me instead, don’t make things hard for President Gideon.”
With such sincerity in her words, Addison spoke in a way that moved Gideon, who drew her into his arms to comfort her.
“My decisions have nothing to do with you. Why are you apologizing to her?”
After offering her a few soft words of comfort, he lifted his eyes to me, disappointment clouding them.
“Ophelia, since childhood, you’ve always been independent and never cared about what others say. Don’t you see that because of us, Addison has already suffered enough gossip? How can you still hold her responsible for my leaving?”
Unable to hold it in any longer, I turned toward the two of them as they clung to each other.
“Gideon, from the moment I stepped into this courtyard, have I said even one harsh word about Addison?”
“I may have grown up without parents, but does that give you the right to throw all your filth onto me?”
A slight tremor ran through my voice, and Gideon panicked at once.
