Lowering my gaze, I unlocked my phone, booked a ticket for tomorrow and sent the flight information to my brother.
Just as I was about to leave and return to the house across the street, I received a location pin from Julian.
It was the spot where he'd thrown me a birthday party once.
Perfect. It felt right to end things there, to give closure to all that had been.
I arrived dressed to impress.
To my surprise, the venue was packed. Julian held Jennie's hand on the stage, announcing their engagement.
They laughed so happily like they were made for each other.
I froze where I stood. It was already too late when I came to my senses and wanted to leave.
Jennie called my name, her smile bright as she pulled a visibly uncomfortable Julian towards me.
"Are you Wanda? Julian's talked about you a bunch. We totally look alike, huh? Nice to meet you!"
She extended her hand gracefully towards me.
I took a deep breath, forcing a smile as I reached to shake her hand.
Just as our fingers were about to meet, she abruptly withdrew her hand.
The next moment, a loud slap echoed across the banquet hall.
My face was whipped to the side.
Julian moved slightly, but in the next moment, he retreated.
"How dare you show your face here? Is eight years of clinging to Julian not enough? You had to cause a scene at my birthday party too? Do you think I’m such a pushover that I’ll tolerate you endlessly?"
Jennie’s cold, furious voice cut through the now-silent room. Her words stirred a wave of whispers in the crowd.
Blinking away the sting in my eyes, I glanced up at her. "I’ve never clung to Julian."
Not then and certainly not now.
Daniel stepped in, pulling me behind him. His gaze was stern as he turned to Jennie.
"Jennie, you seem to have things twisted. Wanda is only Julian's little sister."
"That's right, Jennie. Julian's been like a brother to her all these years. He wouldn't have waited eight years for you if he wanted her."
As Daniel supported him, Julian's buddies also rallied around.
It's a pity that all this only resulted in Jennie's smirking cold snort.
She took out her phone, tapped it a few times and shoved a screenshot in front of everyone. "You tell me—did I wrongly accuse her? See for yourselves."
The screenshot displayed someone with my profile picture and name, brazenly provoking and insulting Jennie.
This impersonator even said that Julian was mine and told Jennie to beware.