Chapter 2
Fiona had always been like this.
In front of Daniel, she was forever the sweet, patient, and understanding girl next door.
Hearing what she said, Daniel instantly got worked up. "How can you say that? Dodo looks so cute in it. I already said I'd let you borrow the veil for the photos, so we have to finish the shoot first."
When I heard Daniel's words, a wave of sadness and anger crashed over me.
In his mind, I wasn't even as important as Fiona's dog.
Not wanting to get stuck in more nonsense, I reached for the veil.
Daniel's expression darkened. "Sophia, stop it. Didn't you hear me? I'm just letting Dodo wear your veil for a photo. I'll give it back afterward."
Looking at him so self-righteous, I held back my tears. "When did I ever agree to lend it? This veil is mine. Who gave you the right to decide for me?"
The studio staff stopped what they were doing and whispered among themselves.
Seeing me stand my ground, Daniel felt embarrassed and his tone turned sharp. "Sophia, since when did you get so petty?
"You never cared about such little things before, but now you're being dramatic over a veil."
That was it—I couldn't stay calm anymore.
It wasn't that I didn't care. I'd just been pushing my feelings aside for his sake, over and over.
But now, when I tried to take back what was mine, he called me dramatic.
Not wanting to hold back my rage anymore, I shouted at him, "Daniel, are you seriously going to mention the past? Do you even remember how you used to treat me?"
He froze as soon as I spoke.
Back when Daniel and I first got together, he was amazing—domineering but fiercely protective, always looking out for me.
When I worked late into the night, he would drive me out to get my favorite cheesecake.
When I had difficult clients, he taught me how to handle them gracefully without getting criticized.
When unreasonable neighbors bothered me, he'd stand up for me.
All my friends envied me for having such a perfect boyfriend.
I often felt lucky, too.
Even though my parents had passed away early, I still had my brother and my boyfriend, who loved me dearly.
But once Fiona returned from abroad, everything changed.
Daniel's face turned ashen. The fire in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a look of shame.
Fiona, noticing his embarrassment, quickly chimed in, "Daniel, Sophia, please, just stop fighting. I don't need the veil, really."
She reached out to take the veil off Dodo's head.
But Dodo suddenly squirmed.
With a harsh ripping sound, the veil my mom left me was torn in half.
Blood rushed to my head as I stared at the ruined veil.
I snatched it up immediately.
As soon as I touched it, Dodo started barking at me.
Fiona scooped Dodo into her arms, her voice soft and comforting. "Dodo, are you alright? Don't be scared. Mommy's right here."
Then she snuggled up to Daniel, looking all pitiful.
"Sophia, I can pay you back for the veil," she said. "But Dodo is innocent. You can yell at me all you want, but don't take it out on him."
Whatever guilt Daniel felt vanished instantly, and he snapped at me, "Why did you go for Dodo? What if you scared him?"
Fiona held Dodo in her arms protectively, while Daniel glared at me with fury.
The torn veil shattered what little control I had left.
I shoved it in Fiona's face. "Pay me back? How are you going to pay me back? Do you even know what this veil—"
Before I could finish, Daniel swung his arm and knocked my hand away.
The veil fell to the ground.
"Sophia, enough. Why are you making a scene over a stupid veil?" he said. "I can buy a bunch online for three bucks. I'll have Fiona pay you back."
He pulled out his phone, furious, and started tapping.
"See? I just bought you ten," he said, shoving the screen in my face. "Happy now? If you love veils so much, you can wear one every day."
Fiona grabbed his arm. "Daniel, it's my fault for not keeping an eye on Dodo. I'm so sorry."
Daniel's face softened the second he turned to Fiona.
"This isn't your fault, Fiona," he said gently. "We're friends. This is just what I should do."
Watching them fuss over each other, I suddenly felt that my relationship with Daniel became meaningless.
Daniel wasn't the man he used to be.
He had once put me first, but now his world was full of Fiona.
If that was the case, I'd let them have each other.
I bent down, picked up the veil, and put it back in my bag.
Just as I was about to leave, my phone rang—it was Ethan.
"Sophia, get to the hospital now," he said. "William's not doing well."
I didn't even think twice—I just bolted out the door.
I could hear Fiona and Daniel talking behind me.
"Daniel, Sophia really seemed upset. Maybe I should go apologize?" Fiona said softly.
But Daniel sounded careless. "No need. She's always like this. She'll be fine in a few days. Come on, I'll drive you and Dodo home."