“Son, I thought Adeline was virtuous and proper, but now this wedding has turned so extravagant. You really need to talk to her!”
“Mom, don’t say that. I was the one who set the high standards for the wedding. I have my reasons, you and Dad don’t need to worry.”
“As for Zara… she must be compensated somehow. I’ve decided that the ten percent of company shares I had prepared as Adeline’s dowry, I’ll give them to Zara instead. That’s what I owe her.”
Violeta paused for a moment.
“Those shares were promised to Adeline as her dowry. You already said it aloud. Are you certain you want to change it?”
Tatum’s tone was firm, without hesitation.
“Adeline marrying me is already the greatest blessing she could ever have. She shouldn’t be so greedy.”
“Zara is different. She has no one to depend on; I must think of her.”
Though my heart had long been numb, his words still stirred a dull ache in my chest.
I pressed down the surge of emotion and reminded myself.
It no longer mattered. The wedding had been a sham from the beginning. These hollow promises had never truly belonged to me.
When Tatum ended the call and returned, his face once more wore that practiced mask of gentleness.
“Mom and Dad are just too worried. I already spoke with them. You just rest and don’t overthink.”
I lowered my eyes, saying nothing.
Tatum went out to settle the remaining hospital fees. At that moment, the ward door creaked open.
Zara walked in with a bouquet of flowers, her lips curved in a delicate smile.
“Adeline, congratulations, you’re about to marry Tatum.”
Her words of blessing sounded hollow, sharp as a blade.
I couldn’t stand to watch her performance, so I closed my eyes, refusing to respond.
Suddenly, Zara let out a sharp “ah” and fell backward heavily, the bouquet scattering across the floor.
“Adeline, I only came to give you blessings. Why did you push me?”
Almost at once, Tatum rushed in from outside.
Zara’s eyes brimmed with tears, her voice trembling as she wept.
“Tatum, don’t blame Adeline. She must resent me… for implicating her and the child, so she only pushed me lightly…”
At her words, Tatum’s head snapped up, his glare searing me with reproach.
“Adeline! How could you push her? Don’t you know her condition? How could you become so petty, so vicious? Apologize to Zara at once!”
Watching such a clumsy act, I only felt a wave of ridicule rise within me.