Chapter 3

The ballroom was ablaze with light. More than two hundred guests turned to look at the entrance.

I wore the same black dress I had on when I arrived from the airport, carrying neither flowers nor a ring.

Stella walked behind me, her hand in Victoria's.

Her silver-white gown trailed behind her, like moonlight that had been peeled off me.

The guests quickly noticed something was off.

The engagement photos that had been on the big screen were hurriedly turned off by the staff.

Lucas wasn't standing next to me.

And on Stella's hand was the ring that was supposed to be mine.

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Andrew stepped onto the stage, picked up the microphone, and said, "Thank you all for coming today. Vivian just got back from abroad and isn't feeling well. The engagement ceremony will be postponed."

After he finished, Andrew glanced at me. It was a look that was a clear warning, saying, "Don't say a word."

I had never been the obedient sort. That was why they shipped me off for a year.

But now, I was different.

Andrew warned me not to make a scene, so of course, I kept quiet.

Someone blurted out, "If Ms. Shea isn't feeling well, then why is Ms. Mason wearing the engagement gown?"

The ballroom fell silent.

Andrew's face froze for a moment.

Stella's eyes welled up with tears. "It's my fault. I wanted to see how Vivian's dress looked on me. I didn't expect her to misunderstand."

She walked over to me, reaching for my arm. "Vivian, could you please explain to everyone? I swear, I wasn't trying to take your engagement party."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but somehow everyone around heard her.

In the past, I always pulled away from her whenever this happened.

She'd stumble, start crying, and everyone would think I was the one picking on her.

But today, I didn't pull away.

I let her hold onto my arm and fixed the sheer fabric on her shoulder for her.

"Don't be afraid," I said softly. "I'll explain everything."

Stella blinked in surprise.

Victoria watched me with relief.

Andrew's face relaxed.

I took the microphone from him. "Everyone, please don't get the wrong idea. Stella didn't take over my engagement party."

Victoria finally breathed a sigh of relief.

A trace of smugness appeared in Stella's eyes.

I continued, "I gave it up to her of my own accord."

The room fell silent.

Andrew's face darkened.

I kept my voice steady. "Stella likes Lucas. My family believes she needs this engagement more than I ever could. So from now on, the engagement, the dress, and the ring are hers. Please, everyone, wish them well."

Someone's wine glass hit the floor.

The sharp crack of shattering glass cut through the silence. "Vivian!"

Charles stormed in, standing at the entrance of the ballroom, his face thunderous with rage. "Get over here now."

I handed the microphone back to Andrew. "That's all I have to say."

Andrew's fingers were clenched so tightly around the microphone that the veins on the back of his hand stood out. "Who told you to say that?"

"Isn't it the truth?" I said.

"You know that's not what the family wants."

"So what do you want from me, then?"

I glanced at Victoria, then at the ring on Stella's finger. "I gave her the ring. She's wearing the dress. Lucas didn't say no. And you all told me not to make a scene. So I guess I can only wish them well."

What a perfect way to handle it. There was no drama and no fights. No one had to be shipped off overseas.

But they all looked pretty unhappy.

It was weird.

Back when I acted out, they said I was being childish.

Now that I was keeping quiet, they looked more pissed off.

Charles told his assistant to wrap things up early.

As the guests filed out, they cast odd glances at the Shea family members.

Victoria went to help Stella change out of her dress.

But Stella clung to her hand, tears streaming down her face. "Mom, did I mess up Vivian's engagement party? Vivian will never forgive me, right?"

Victoria quickly comforted her. "Of course not. Vivian just got back and is a little upset. She'll calm down soon."

I stood off to the side, listening.

It turned out I was mad about all this. I had not even known it myself.

Lucas walked up to me. "We need to talk."

"I don't have time today," I replied.

"Vivian," he said, his voice dropping.

Back then, hearing him say my name in this tone would make me freeze.

Now, it sounded kind of foreign to me.

"Tomorrow," he said. "I'll come to the Shea family to see you."

"Don't bother," I replied.

"What do you mean?"

"The engagement's off."

I shot Stella a look. "If you want to sort out the wedding details, she's the one you should talk to."

Lucas's jaw tightened. "I never agreed to let someone else take your place."

"Then why didn't you say something earlier?" I shot back.

"I was trying not to hurt her."

"Then keep worrying about her."

I turned and walked away.

He took a couple of steps after me. "Is this what you learned overseas? Running away from your problems?"

I stopped and turned to face him. "I'm not running away."

"There's something I need to ask you."

"You should ask yourself."