14
My friends noticed my distracted demeanor as I quietly prepared to cut into my steak. The lively chatter around the table tapered off, their glances shifting to me with concern.
That evening, I said goodbye to my friend at my doorstep and climbed the stairs to my apartment. The housekeeper had already laid out a late–night snack. She curtsied and left.
I sat down, sipping coffee and scrolling through my phone. The bitterness filled my mouth, before I could even register the taste, my phone vibrated.
My expression shifted. It was the village head from my uncle’s village. He explained that my aunt had fallen ill after learning about Liam’s actions. My uncle was juggling caring for her and teaching. He asked if I could visit.
My eyes welled up. Aside from my parents, my aunt and uncle had been the most supportive people in my life. They’d called regularly, checking in on me. They only shared good news, hiding their troubles. I wouldn’t have known about my aunt’s illness if not for the village head’s call.
I cancelled my plans for the evening. I booked the earliest flight back home and began packing.
My aunt and uncle were overjoyed to see me. They pulled me into the house.
You
were doing so well in New Zealand, why are you back?”
I placed gifts on their table. “I wanted to see you both.”
My aunt sighed.“Such a waste of money, coming all this way!”
Her concern warmed my heart. I took her hand.“Aunt, I heard you haven’t been feeling well. Let’s go to the hospital in the city tomorrow.”
She waved her hands. “I’m fine! Don’t waste money.”
Speaking of the past, she teared up, apologizing profusely. She said that if they’d known what Liam would become, they never would have let me marry
him.
I no longer held any resentment towards them. I’d always known Chloe disliked me. From the moment she met Liam, her challenge was clear.
“Serenity, you just wait; he’ll be mine.”
Her ambition was fierce, but I hadn’t taken it seriously. Liam had loved me deeply then. Even if all men cheated, Liam wouldn’t.
But through it all, my friends and family stood steadfastly by my side. Even the Chloe family had disowned Chloe, distancing themselves from her disgraceful actions.
In the end, it wasn’t Chloe who was to blame. Liam had been the one to succumb to her advances. If he hadn’t been so weak, so willing to betray the vows we once shared, none of this would have happened.
