Rowena quickly sent a voice message:
"Don’t take it the wrong way, Elara is in the group."
She even made sure to tag me:
"Elara, don’t listen to them," Rowena said. "They only think I’m more suitable for Desmond. No, that’s not what I meant. What I mean is, once they get to know you, they’ll realize you and Desmond are a perfect pair."
Then, Rowena posted a selfie with Desmond in the group.
She was leaning against his shoulder, her eyes slightly red, her lips swollen and bruised.
She captioned:
[Let me be selfish just this one last time. After tomorrow, you’ll belong to someone else.]
Anyone could tell those lips had recently been kissed.
The sense of intimacy was unmistakable.
I couldn’t help but laugh, though it was bitter and full of frustration. 'This is the pure, innocent childhood friend?'
No wonder Desmond went out of his way to pick her up.
I immediately sent a voice message: "Such a pure friendship. Desmond, is your friendship sealed with a kiss? Really, it’s an eye-opener."
The group exploded with comments immediately.
Rowena quickly followed up with another voice message:
"Elara, please don’t misunderstand the photo I just sent. I just bit my lip. Even though Desmond is my first love, and even though my leaving to study abroad hurt him and led him to be with you, he promised to marry you and take responsibility. I still wish you both the best," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
At once, the group started jeering:
[People from lower backgrounds just don’t get it, huh? Can’t take a joke, so petty!]
[How did Desmond end up with someone like her? He should never bring her out with us again.]
[Exactly! Every time she’s around, Rowena ends up feeling so wronged. What’s Elara’s business with it? Doesn’t she realize she’s the real third wheel?]
My blood boiled.
From day one, Desmond’s friends had always looked down on me.
They would put me down to feel superior.
I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I typed out: [Shut up, all of you! You all love following Rowena. Now that Desmond is married and she’s heartbroken, this is your chance to win her favor!]
Desmond immediately started a voice call in the group: "Elara, apologize to my friends right now. You’re way out of the line!"
I sneered. "So, you’re here now, huh? When they insulted me, you didn’t say a thing. All of a sudden, you want me to apologize? You were acting deaf and mute earlier, weren't you? Now you're just coming out of nowhere to demand an apology?"
Desmond snapped, anger in his voice. “Do you even get how much you just hurt Rowena? She’s been pampered and protected her whole life. She doesn’t know what it’s like to scrape by in the slums like you did. You and Rowena are from two completely different worlds."
I felt a deep sting. Desmond wasn’t just defending Rowena; he was attacking me.
"Do you have any idea how much your words hurt her?"
Then I heard Rowena’s soft sobs through the phone.
“I just sat in your car, that’s all. Why would Elara twist it into something ugly about me and my friends? They are good people. Why would she say such cruel things? Just because I rode with you? Besides, she could’ve just taken a public bike to the hotel, no traffic, no problem. Is she really so vain that she has to treat me like this?”
Desmond’s tone shifted instantly to gentle and coaxing, as if he hadn’t been tearing into me seconds ago.
“Don’t cry. If Elara really wants this wedding, she needs to apologize to you and to my friends. Otherwise, she doesn’t need to show up at all.”
His voice, still cold but with a hint of finality, spoke through the phone. "Elara, I’m giving you one last chance. Did you hear me? Apologize to Rowena and my friends before the wedding, or this marriage won’t happen."
I laughed bitterly, the anger in my chest rising. "Finem then! Wait for me at the wedding venue. I’ll come and apologize.”
