On her deathbed, my grandmother tightly held my hand and said, "Alyson, I can't die in peace without seeing you marry Kenny. I can't die. I have to wait..."
My grandmother never got to see Kenny. She kept looking toward the door until her last breath. She passed away with regret.
As the evening shadows lengthened outside, I huddled motionless on the sofa.
Suddenly, there was a noise at the door as someone pushed it open and turned on the light.
When Kenny saw me, a flicker of guilt crossed his eyes as he let go of Serena's hand.
"You're home..."
I sat up, coldly watching them, my face still marked by the tears from my earlier breakdown.
Kenny tried to approach me, reaching out to touch my hair, but I pulled away.
He sighed softly and sat down beside me.
"Alyson, Serena's terminally ill, and she doesn't have much time left.
"She's terrified, so I have to be there for her.
"Alyson, you've always been so understanding. Please don't be upset over this small thing, okay?"
"Small thing?" I thought to myself, "In his eyes, was our wedding and my grandmother's death all just insignificant? Does only Serena matter to him?"
I glared at him, feeling a surge of anger, and I even began to resent him. A part of me wished my father had never saved him.
"Kenny, what am I to you?
"How could you marry her on our wedding day and make me the scorned third party?"
I didn't understand why, despite my disappointment in him, my heart still ached so much when I questioned him.
Kenny's gaze shifted away from me and landed on Serena, his expression conflicted.
Serena, standing next to Kenny, handed me a glass of water, her eyes full of pity.
"Alyson, don't be mad at Kenny. This is all my fault.
"I just didn't want to leave this world with regrets. He only feels sorry for me.
"Alyson, I'm not trying to take him from you. Once I'm gone, Kenny will be all yours.
"Can't you be generous and let me borrow him for a few years?"
Serena's words sounded pitiful, but her eyes were full of triumph.
With a swift motion, I knocked the water glass out of her hand. I didn't use much force, but Serena fell to the floor immediately.
I stood up and looked down at her.
"I'm not falling for your pitiful act!
"I'm not your mother, so I have no obligation to coddle you!"
Serena lay on the ground, helplessly looking up at me with tear-filled eyes.
"Alyson, I thought you'd understand me. I didn't expect you to be so heartless.