Returning to the Jordan Family a few days ago shattered all my expectations. Trying to hold back tears, I called my foster mother. She picked up right away, her voice filled with concern, “What’s wrong, Audrey? Are you settling in okay? How are they treating you there?”
Hearing my mother’s worried tone, I felt a pang of regret. “I’m okay, Mom,” I reassured her. “Just missing you.” There was no point in complaining; it would only make her worry and lose sleep over me.
With all the guests gone, I remained slumped on the ground. Taking out my phone from my bag, I noticed the crumpled pregnancy test form inside. I had just found out I was two months pregnant, planning to surprise Cody after the wedding. Now, that plan seemed irrelevant.
I unlocked my phone to call Cody but got distracted by an entertainment news alert.
[Melisa attempted to commit suicide out of jealousy, the Stone Family’s prince sacrificed himself for love.]
What?
I shivered, tapping the notification repeatedly until the video loaded. In the footage, Melisa leapt from a rooftop and without hesitation, Cody followed, holding her tightly as they hit the ground.
I couldn’t shake the memories of Cody always insisting Melisa was like a sister whenever I saw them flirting. Yet here he was, willing to give up his life to fulfill Melisa’s irrational act. Would a brother truly do this for his sister?
As I sat there, trying to make sense of it all, several young women walked past me, chatting excitedly. “Did you see the news? Cody’s proving his love, ready to sacrifice himself for his girl.”
“Yeah, because Melisa’s worth it. He never appreciated her before, but now he’s willing to go to extremes for her.”
“It’s like a story straight out of a romance novel. So tragic and romantic!”
Their words cut through me like a knife, adding to the turmoil in my heart.
As the voices faded into the distance, I couldn't help but burst out laughing, even as tears gathered at the corners of my eyes.
"Love is so beautiful, isn't it?" I mused bitterly. "If I wasn't the abandoned bride or the scapegoat in their love story, maybe I'd see it that way."
Suddenly, my phone rang—it was Melisa calling. Her voice came through cheerfully, "Audrey, being the biological daughter doesn't matter. Everyone loves me."
I retorted, "You shouldn't say that. Your biological mother cares deeply about me."