6.
Avalon’s POV
My gaze, cold and sharp as ice, locked onto Sharice as I countered, “Sharice, I was the one who signed for the wedding gown. What gives you the right to claim it was your gift?”
Without waiting for her response, I shoved her aside and walked straight up to Elyse. My voice was calm but firm.
“Elyse, this wedding gown is a congratulatory gift me and my children carefully prepared. It’s not from Sharice.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, the expressions on Radnor and Shawna’s faces shifted dramatically. Even Rufus’s face darkened.
Rufus’s POV
Rage boiled in my chest, smoldering just beneath the surface. In a few quick strides, I reached Avalon, my voice thick with barely restrained fury.
“That’s enough, Avalon! Do you even know how much that wedding gown costs? You could work your entire life as a servant and still not afford a single button on it!”
Radnor snorted from the side and jumped in mockingly.
“Exactly. This generous gift came from my business partner—AZZ & Co.—and my sister’s boss, the diva of Paramount Productions herself. What, are you trying to take credit for it?”
Meanwhile, Shawna rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with disdain.
“Do you even hear yourself? You think people like that would stoop to associating with someone like you? At least rehearse your lies better next time.”
Tears welled up in Sharice’s eyes, brimming to the edge in an instant. Her voice quivered with hurt.
“Avalon, I let it go when you stole Rufus from me all those years ago. But now… you can’t even let me have a moment of sincerity? A forced relationship is never sweet. What’s not yours, no matter how much you fight, it’ll never be yours…”
Her voice broke as she collapsed into my arms, her shoulders shaking violently with sobs.
I tightened my hold around her protectively, and when I looked at Avalon, my eyes were laced with malice.
My teeth clenched, then I spat, “What exactly are you trying to do, Avalon?! All these years, Sharice hasn’t had a single night of peace because of you! She wakes from nightmares, trembling! And now, on the night our son gets engaged, you’re still trying to stir up drama out of jealousy? Apologize right now to Sharice—and to every guest present!”
Dad then stepped forward, trying to diffuse the chaos. “That’s enough! This is a joyful night—what kind of behavior is this?”
But I suddenly turned on him, my gaze sharp and accusing.
“You always defend her. But tonight is my son’s engagement! Have you even considered my feelings? Or how he must feel?”
He was momentarily stunned, choked by my words. His eyes fell on Radnor’s tense face. After a long sigh, he said nothing more and stepped back in silence.
“If you don’t apologize to Sharice right now,” I growled, my eyes locked on Avalon, each word spat through clenched teeth, “then don’t even dream of setting foot in the villa again!”
But she just stood there, unmoved, her chin held high. That silence of hers only added fuel to the fire burning in my chest.
Thoughts surged within me—wild and uncontrollable.
‘If only she had been a little more obedient back then, I wouldn’t have had to throw her out and make the whole city know the family had replaced the lady of the house.’
‘And now, on a night like this—my son’s grand engagement—she couldn’t even grant me the smallest shred of face?’
She wasn’t supposed to be this proud! She was supposed to be the same docile woman from the past, soft and pliant in my hands, someone who would give and give without asking for anything back!
I had always assumed that after leaving me, she’d regret it. That she’d crawl back one day in tears, begging for forgiveness.
But all these years, not once had she returned. Not for me. Not for the children.
In fact… she looked even more radiant than before—glowing, renewed, as if life without me had become all the more rich and comfortable.
‘That is absolutely unacceptable!’
Avalon should live the rest of her life beneath me, always looking up!
A vicious glint flashed in my eyes. I shot a glance at the bodyguard behind me.
He had worked for me for years and instantly understood. One look at Sharice’s tear-streaked, trembling face, and he sprang into action.
He strode toward Avalon, his hand like a steel clamp, reaching for her.
“Apologize to Ma’am Sharice! And to every esteemed guest here tonight!”
“Who gave you permission to touch me?”
She shoved the bodyguard away with all her strength, then turned instinctively to the children she had once loved more than life itself. But all she saw were two faces etched with indifference and disgust.
Her heart must’ve plunged into a frozen abyss.
“Very well. Just perfect.”
She laughed. There was no warmth in the sound—only bitter disappointment.
“So these are the ‘good children’ I raised with all my heart for more than a decade. In that case, let’s cut all ties. I don’t belong here anyway.”
She pushed past the bodyguard again and turned to leave.
Just as she was about to step out of the party, Radnor grabbed the flower vase beside him and hurled it at her back with a furious roar.
