Chapter 5: A Dress Stained in Secrets
My aunt tried to salvage the situation as whispers rippled through the guests like wildfire. Their curious glances sharpened—some judgmental, some entertained, all nosy. It seemed they were finally catching on.
Yue'er walked up to me with her fake, trembling voice wrapped in sugary guilt.
"Yunxia, I'm sorry if you're upset I wore your dress. I won't do it again..."
But even as those pitiful words left her mouth, she made no move to remove the dress. It clung to her like a stolen crown, too big for her ego and too grand for her lies.
Then, my future mother-in-law stepped in—the only person who had ever treated me like her real daughter. Her tone cracked like thunder.
"Remove it immediately. And where's that brat, Li Shen?"
As Yue'er turned to scurry away, she bumped into a waiter. A full glass of wine spilled like a blood offering across the fabric of my once-pristine dress.
Gasps echoed. Eyes widened.
Yue'er froze for a moment, then smirked—just for a second. Just enough for me to catch it.
Then she snapped back into her sweet little act.
"Oh no, sis, I'm so sorry! I-I'll clean it up!"
The guests began to whisper louder now. Their murmurs cut through the room like knives.
"How ominous..."
"Was it really an accident?"
"She did that on purpose."
And me? I just stood there. Silent. Still. Watching the show I had seen one too many times.
I just smiled knowingly.
"Don't worry. There's a spare dress—just in case. But with the way things are looking... it's quite ominous, really. So why don't we postpone the wedding? After all, the groom isn't even here."
The gasps got louder, and Yue'er's smile faltered for a split second. That's all I needed.
I turned and left gracefully, but my future mother-in-law wasn't done. She was still fuming, insisting she'd personally design another dress for me. She immediately dialed her son—only for him to claim he was "busy." Her brows twitched in annoyance.
I sighed, thinking back to how things even got this far.
Years ago, I had helped Li Shen's mom—Mama Li—when she was on the brink of bankruptcy. Gave her the spark of inspiration that reignited her career. That's how she rose to become Asia's top designer. She always said she owed her success to me.
Back then, she had even wanted to adopt me. Said she knew my birth parents, that I was like the daughter she never had. But by then, I'd already been adopted by my aunt... and Mama Li wasn't blood, so she couldn't fight it.
Still, she made me a promise:
"If there's ever something you want, and I can do it—I will."
At that time, I was constantly being manipulated by Yue'er and my aunt. So, when Li Shen showed me the tiniest bit of kindness, I clung to it. Thought it was love. Maybe it was. He liked me too once. But he was young... and Yue'er was clever with her theatrics.
Eventually, she poisoned his heart against me.
Mama Li saw my feelings and arranged our engagement herself. To her, I and Li Shen were her favorite people. Her dream? To see us married.
Now I wonder... how will she react when she finds out her precious son is in a secret relationship with Yue'er? The same girl she once called a snake in silk.
The cab ride home was silent except for the hum of the engine... and the soft vibration of my phone as I called her.
"You know you don't have to go that far, Mama. I appreciate it, but..." I looked out the window, my reflection fading in and out of view, "I found out Li Shen likes Yue'er."
Silence.
"Don't you think it's best to let them be together?"
I watched her hesitate. As a mother, she clearly prioritized her son's happiness... but she didn't want to make a decision that would hurt me either.
"Do you still like him... despite everything?" she asked gently.
"No," I replied flatly. "He's chosen his path, and I've chosen mine. It's best to let them be together. As for me... I'll move on."
She nodded slowly. "If that's what you truly want, then we'll call off the engagement. But just know this—I will never see that girl as my daughter-in-law."
The sadness in her voice tugged at something in me, but I pushed it down. I had made my decision.
When we arrived, I stepped out of the car and said my goodbye. The maids greeted me warmly—oddly warm. Too polite. They'd even prepared a cup of tea for me, which I accepted with a small nod. I drank it without thinking and headed into my office.
Maybe they'd finally decided to treat me with the respect I deserved.
I drowned myself in paperwork, barely noticing the hours slip by—until I heard the light tap of footsteps behind me.
Yue'er.
She walked in, her eyes flicking to the teacup on my desk. Her lips curled slightly into a smirk before smoothing back into her usual mask of innocence.
"Yunxia," she said softly, "I'm sorry about the dress. I shouldn't have worn it."
I didn't even bother looking up. "It's fine. I said forget it."
But she didn't leave. She kept following me around the house like a lost puppy. The maids had begun whispering behind their hands, glancing at me like I was heartless for ignoring her.
Finally, I'd had enough. I turned at the top of the stairs, my voice sharp.
"Stop following me!"
And just as I turned—
Everything shifted.
My body lurched forward.
Crash.
I tumbled down the stairs.
Pain exploded through my limbs. The world spun.
The laughter from behind me—quickly stifled—told me everything I needed to know. She'd pushed me.
Yue'er was already rushing down the steps, voice trembling with practiced concern.
"Sis! Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you? I—I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to—I just wanted to hold you! You looked like you were about to fall!"
Technically, she wasn't lying. Ever since I drank that tea, I'd felt... strange. Lightheaded. Weak.
Still, I started to push myself up. I could stand.
But then—
She slapped herself.
Right in front of everyone.
"If it makes you feel better, I'll punish myself, okay? I was wrong, please don't be mad!"
She raised her hand again.
I grabbed her wrist mid-air to stop her from hitting herself again—but in a blur of motion, she slapped me.
And instantly—
A burning weakness spread through my chest. My legs buckled.
I dropped.
Coughing. Blood.
My vision blurred as I looked up at her. My hearing faded, but her lips moved.
And just before the darkness swallowed me whole, I could make out what she said.
"It finally kicked in, huh?"
And I blacked out.