Chapter 2
An awkward silence fell over us.
Caspian grabbed my hand again, giving me that tender, lovesick look. He said, "It's been so long, Elowen, and you still haven't changed, still so blunt.
"But sometimes, you have to learn to be flexible, or you'll just end up backing yourself into a corner."
There was a hint of menace in his words.
I said coldly, "Let go."
Caspian said stubbornly, "I won't let go."
"I said I'm already married," I said.
I tried to break free from his grip, but I failed.
Just then, a soft, delicate voice came, "Caspian."
It was Maren. She was dressed in white, looking like the picture of a delicate, frail beauty.
She was pushed over in a wheelchair.
The moment she saw me, her expression flickered with panic and jealousy.
She gasped, "Elowen?"
But soon, she masked her jealousy and forced a smile.
She stepped forward and took my hand, saying, "Elowen, you're finally back! Where have you been all these years?
"Caspian and I both thought you..."
Speaking of this, her eyes filled with tears almost immediately.
She looked so helpless, like she was the picture of innocence and misery.
Those who didn't know thought that she was the one who was thrown into the isolated island back then.
Caspian let go of my hand with a guilty look on his face, then went forward to grab Maren's wheelchair. "Maren, you're just too kind," he said.
Then he looked at me, his expression hard.
"Elowen, Maren's already forgiven you for what happened back then. Aren't you going to apologize to her?" he said.
"Apologize for her? Why should I?" I shot back.
I stared at Maren coldly and continued, "You know better than anyone what really happened back then."
"Elowen, you..." Maren covered her mouth, and tears fell without warning, streaming down her cheeks.
Her fists clenched, her voice shaky and choked with tears. She sobbed, "Elowen, it's been so long. I've already let go of what you did to me, for making me spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.
You finally came back now. Why do you still say such things?
"Do you really hate me so much?
"Or is it that people like me just don't count in your eyes? So you think you can stomp all over my dignity at will?"
Maren spoke at a volume that made sure everyone nearby could hear every word.
Everyone looked shocked and started whispering among themselves.
"Isn't that Elowen? She disappeared for three years. She actually came back," someone whispered.
"Disappeared for three years? She probably ran off to hide after doing something dirty. Left Maren crippled, and after all this time, she still hasn't apologized. No wonder her family went broke, and her parents ended up dying in jail."
"That's right. She still acts like she's some big-shot heiress in Harbor City."
Mocking voices were coming from every direction.
Maren's sobs grew even louder.
"Elowen, enough," Caspian snapped.
He stepped forward to grab my hand, demanding, "You could even hurt someone as sweet and innocent as Maren. I was right about you. You're nothing but a vicious woman."
I let out a cold scoff, shaking off his hand. My voice was sharp and unyielding as I said, "Why should I apologize?
"Back then, she fell down the stairs herself and framed me. Why should I apologize?
"She snatched my husband right on our wedding night, then played the victim the next day.
"You really expect me to believe someone this manipulative is innocent and sweet?"
I fixed Maren with a cold stare and continued, "Tell me, what kind of 'innocent' girl conveniently has an accident on someone else's wedding night, just to pull the groom away?
"Anyone watching would think you two had an affair long ago."
"You!" Caspian, furious, raised his hand to slap me.
I dodged his hand.
I shot him a mocking look and sneered, "You really think you can still push me around?"
"Fine, Elowen. You think you've grown powerful, right?" Caspian said.
The crowd around us started buzzing with gossip.
"What? It was Maren who caused all the drama back then?" someone said.
"Damn, that's straight-up bitch behavior! Elowen's right. What kind of woman drags the groom away on his wedding night and leaves the bride alone? If that were my husband, I'd totally lose it," another person chimed in.
"So that leg injury was karma, right? She even snatched Elowen's husband," someone else added.
Their voices weren't loud, but everyone in the whole banquet hall could hear.
Maren's expression turned ugly.
She protested, "Elowen, how could you say that about me?"
She bit her lip, looking like she was about to cry.
Her eyes welled up, and tears spilled down her cheeks.