He seemed to remember the lie, guilt flickering on his face before he masked it quickly.
“If Liora hadn’t done this today, what would you wear to the wedding? If you’d told me you were well earlier, would I have bothered her? Trying on wedding dresses is exhausting!”
My heart shattered. Didn’t he realize it was only because of Liora that I was even able to try on dresses?
“Did you ask me?” I asked coldly. “After I woke, did you ask if I was okay or if it hurt?”
“I…”
Suddenly, Liora knelt, sobbing: “It’s all my fault! I caused your accident and tried on the dress for you. Sister, please don’t be angry with me and Dorian!”
“Liora, get up!” Dorian hurried to pull her up. “Serena Caldwyn, look what you’ve done to Liora! Apologize to her immediately!”
This wasn’t the first time he blamed me for Liora’s mistakes.
Before, I endured it all for love.
But now, with a week left and my departure imminent, I would endure no more.
I stared at Liora coldly: “This is my home. Please leave.”
Liora sobbed, “But I promised Dorian I’d help with the wedding preparations, so I’m staying here for now…”
“Besides, sister, I didn’t have time to bring luggage — can I use your things?”
Their shamelessness stunned me, leaving me speechless.
Dorian said, “Liora, you don’t have to explain. Just stay in her room and use her things. I’ll take you there.”
He helped Liora up and headed toward the master bedroom.
“Stop!”
I reached out, but Dorian shoved me aside.
My body shook violently; the pain in my ribs flared sharply, and dizziness took over—
“Serena!”
Dorian watched me fall down the stairs and ran after me. “Serena, I didn’t mean it! You…”
“Sorry, sister, it’s my fault!” Liora staggered down and quickly distracted Dorian again. “I—I should go!”
“Liora!”
As expected, Dorian abandoned me once more to stop her.
I lay on the ground, pain making my forehead slick with cold sweat, unable to speak.
Dorian held Liora close, ignoring me, and said, “Serena, stop causing trouble. Go back to the hospital to recover. Don’t delay the wedding because of your health.”
He still never asked if I was hurting.
Watching their backs disappear, I bitterly laughed and, after gathering strength, made a call.
The phone was answered quickly.
“Are you on vacation lately?” I asked.
The voice on the other end was dry: “Otherwise, how could you get through on your phone?”
“Perfect,” I said. “Would you consider marrying me?”
The person on the other end of the line was silent for a moment before finally forcing out a word through clenched teeth: “What do you mean?”
“We were engaged already, weren’t we, Alaric Thorne?”
“Of course I remember. I still remember it was Miss Caldwyn who took the initiative to call off the engagement. And now you want to come back?” His voice grew colder with each word. “Do you think I would still want you?”
My engagement with Alaric was arranged by my mother before she passed. He was her proudest protégé. Our fields complemented each other perfectly — we should have been the ideal partners.
But at that time, my heart belonged only to Dorian. I gave up pursuing further studies for him, abandoned my career at the research institute, and refused to marry Alaric.
I laughed bitterly. “Then forget it, I…”
