Chapter 4
1/5
Until I left, those five people remained standing there, looking confused, as if they couldn’t understand why I suddenly seemed like a completely different person.
I had indeed changed.
When I still cared about them, I was like a hysterical lunatic.
I didn’t understand why the accident that killed my uncle and aunt, who had come to my birthday party, had to be blamed on
- me.
I didn’t understand why, after Zara moved into my home, Seraphina, Everett and Cassian thought that treating me well meant wronging her.
And I definitely didn’t understand why Damien, who had promised to always love only me, slowly began to develop feelings for Zara.
They all thought I was the villain, the one who bullied the innocent and pure Zara.
But that innocent Zara had been showered with love and had gotten everything I had wanted.
And I was left with nothing.
Chapter 4
In the midst of the blazing fire, when I saw them abandoning me one by one, I realized that no matter what, I could never compete with Zara.
I didn’t want to fight anymore. I was done being crazy.
2/5
For the next two days, I bought everything I needed for the trip.
Skincare products, clothes, and even the suitcase, which I bought new from the mall.
I started to look forward to the new life that would begin once I
left this land behind.
But just before bed, there was a knock at the door.
It was Damien and my family.
When I saw them, I felt a sense of impatience rise in me.
“What do you want?”
They froze for a moment at my cold tone, and then Damien spoke up to explain their reason for coming.
“Nelia, Zara said this wedding is only taking your place. She hopes you’ll be there tomorrow.”
“Forget it. With my current state, there’s no need for me to go.”
Believing I would stubbornly attend, Damien and my family froze again.
Chapter 4
Only then did they look more carefully at my appearance.
3/5
There were several wounds on my face, with faint red scars that didn’t match the skin of the rest of my face, and my fingers, which were resting on the doorknob, were full of rough scars.
The once overly sensitive me, who would cry at even the slightest injury, now wore an indifferent expression, as if these gruesome wounds didn’t even exist.
They couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy.
“Nelia, does it still hurt?”
It was the first time Seraphina asked me about my injury.
I raised an eyebrow. “I don’t feel anything anymore.”
The light, casual response shut them up.
There seemed to be more pity in Damien’s eyes now.
Seraphina’s gaze was fixed on my scars, and even Cassian, who always liked to pick at me, had his head lowered, lost in thought.
The ringing of the phone broke the awkward silence, and Zara’s cheerful voice came through.
“Please convince Nelia to come.
“I’m really afraid she’ll misunderstand. I won’t be at ease if she
Chapter 4
doesn’t come.”
Right. Zara had to be at ease.
4/5
After hearing my refusal, the four of them seemed to have found
an excuse.
“Nelia, you heard Zara. You have to come tomorrow.”
Damien grabbed my wrist.
“Even though Zara is standing in for you, you’re still the true star of the wedding.”
“Yeah, if you don’t go, others might misunderstand.”
Listening to their pleas, I felt a wave of annoyance.
I glanced at the time. It was already late.
My flight was an early one, and I didn’t want to waste any more time with them. I nodded absently, dismissing them with a
wave.
The next day, I woke up early.
As I prepared to board, Zara had already posted her photos from the wedding rehearsal on her social media, accompanied by an emoji.
I gave it a like, and just as I did, I saw a message from Damien
pop up.
Chapter 4
5/5
[Nelia, when will you arrive? Zara said she prepared a dress for you. Don’t be late. Don’t let her good intentions go to waste.]
He thought Zara was kind and had completely forgotten that I had scars and couldn’t wear a dress.
I replied with three simple words.
[Let’s break up.]
Then, I quickly blocked him and everyone from my family, walking toward the boarding gate without looking back.
