Chapter 5

Vivian's eyes quickly filled with tears.

"Andrew, I'm leaving," she said.

As she turned, her sleeve knocked the embroidery thread box off the table.

The box hit the floor. Hundreds of threads scattered everywhere.

She immediately crouched down to pick them up. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

I didn't move.

Andrew was already bending down to help her.

Vivian reached for a strand of crimson thread.

I suddenly spoke up, "Don't touch that one."

She froze.

I walked over and picked up the thread myself.

"This is old dyed thread. If it absorbs moisture from your hands, it's ruined," I said.

Vivian looked up, her eyes brimming with tears. "I just wanted to help."

"Next time, ask if anyone needs help before you do anything." I placed the thread back in the box. "Is this how you used to 'help' Andrew back then?"

Her face went pale.

Andrew stood up.

"Grace, have you said enough?" he said.

I looked at him, standing protectively in front of her, and I didn't feel hurt anymore. I only found it absurd.

He still thought that if he said something harsh, I'd give in.

I picked up the broom and swept the scattered threads aside.

"I've said enough. You two can leave now," I said.

Andrew stared at me for a long moment.

"Are you going to the exhibition at Greenfield Arts Center the day after tomorrow?" he asked.

I paused. "How did you know?"

Vivian said softly, "Andrew got an invitation, too. Greenfield Arts Center invited a lot of people this time, and he asked me to go with him."

I knew what was going on.

The Sullivan family had been trying to make a name for themselves in the art world these past couple of years. Emma especially loved these kinds of events that could boost her social status.

Vivian had just returned and needed somewhere to make a good impression, so Andrew was taking her along.

It was fine for me.

"Hope you two have a good time," I said.

Andrew stared at me. "Are you going too?"

"Yeah."

He looked like he had something on his mind.

Vivian suddenly asked, "Ms. Miller, are you working the event?"

As soon as she said that, even Thomas poked his head out from the back room.

I smiled. "Yeah, something like that."

Vivian let out a sigh of relief. "Guess I'll be counting on you then. I don't really know much about arts. Andrew said I should take it all in."

I nodded. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you see everything clearly."

After they left, Thomas stood there with his arms crossed, watching me.

"You're really going to let all this slide?" he asked.

I sorted the embroidery threads back by color.

"What's the rush?" I replied.

Thomas narrowed his eyes. "Is there going to be something interesting at the exhibition?"

I covered Moonlit Blossoms with its dust cloth. "Yeah."

"And how big is it?" she asked.

I paused to think. "Big enough for Andrew to get completely humiliated for everything he's done these past three years, all in one shot."

On the day of the exhibition, the parking lot outside Greenfield Arts Center was packed.

I wore a black dress, with a plain coat draped over my shoulders.

My hair was casually pulled up, and I pinned a small silver crabapple blossom earring behind my ear.

Thomas stood at the doorway, eyeing me up and down. "Now you finally look like a real person," he joked.

I rolled my eyes at him. "What, so I didn't look like a real person before?"

"Before, you were like a soulless decoration at the Sullivan residence."

I laughed with a little annoyance.

Thomas handed me a wooden box.

"Take this," he said.

I opened it. Inside was an old brooch left by my grandma.

It was a crabapple blossom crafted from twisted silver wire, with a touch of red at its center.

I froze.

"Isn't this the brooch you've always kept?" I asked.

"Your grandma said that when you no longer needed anyone else's approval, you could wear it." Thomas reached out and pinned it on me. "Today's the perfect day for it."

I touched the brooch, and it felt like my heart got a gentle push.

When I got to the arts center, the director came out to greet me in person.

"Ms. Miller, you're finally here," she said.

I shook her hand. "Thanks for going out of your way."

"Not at all. The main exhibition area is ready, and the unveiling is set for 10:30."

I nodded.

As soon as I walked into the hall, I spotted Andrew.

He was standing in the crowd, with Vivian and Emma by his side.

Vivian was wearing an off-white dress, and Emma was introducing her around to everyone.

"Vivian just got back from overseas. She's got great taste, and she's classy," Emma said.

Someone laughed and said, "She and Andrew look so good together."

Emma was grinning from ear to ear.

But Andrew didn't say a word.

He looked past everyone and locked eyes with me.

He froze for a second.

Then he frowned.

Vivian caught sight of me too. Her gaze swept over my dress, lingering on the silver blossom brooch pinned to my chest.

She came over, smiling. "Ms. Miller, you look stunning today. Is this how the event staff are supposed to dress?"