Chapter 6

My gaze, cold and sharp as ice, locked onto Sharice as I countered, “Sharice, I was the one who signed for the wedding gown. What gives you the right to claim it was your gift?”

Without waiting for her response, I shoved her aside and walked straight up to Elyse. My voice was calm but firm.

“Elyse, this wedding gown is a congratulatory gift me and my children carefully prepared. It’s not from Sharice.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, the expressions on Radnor and Shawna’s faces shifted dramatically. Even Rufus’s face darkened.

Rage boiled in his chest, smoldering just beneath the surface. In a few quick strides, Rufus reached me, his voice thick with barely restrained fury.

“That’s enough, Avalon! Do you even know how much that wedding gown costs? You could work your entire life as a servant and still not afford a single button on it!”

Radnor snorted from the side and jumped in mockingly.

“Exactly. This generous gift came from my business partner—AZZ & Co.—and my sister’s boss, the diva of Paramount Productions herself. What, are you trying to take credit for it?”

Meanwhile, Shawna rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with disdain.

“Do you even hear yourself? You think people like that would stoop to associating with someone like you? At least rehearse your lies better next time.”

Tears welled up in Sharice’s eyes, brimming to the edge in an instant. Her voice quivered with hurt.

“Avalon, I let it go when you stole Rufus from me all those years ago. But now… you can’t even let me have a moment of sincerity? A forced relationship is never sweet. What’s not yours, no matter how much you fight, it’ll never be yours…”

Her voice broke as she collapsed into his arms, her shoulders shaking violently with sobs.

He tightened his hold around her protectively, and when he looked at me, his eyes were laced with malice.

His teeth clenched, then he spat, “What exactly are you trying to do, Avalon?! All these years, Sharice hasn’t had a single night of peace because of you! She wakes from nightmares, trembling! And now, on the night our son gets engaged, you’re still trying to stir up drama out of jealousy? Apologize right now to Sharice—and to every guest present!”

Dad then stepped forward, trying to diffuse the chaos. “That’s enough! This is a joyful night—what kind of behavior is this?”

But Rufus suddenly turned on him, his gaze sharp and accusing.

“You always defend her. But tonight is my son’s engagement! Have you even considered my feelings? Or how he must feel?”

Dad was momentarily stunned, choked by those words. His eyes fell on Radnor’s tense face. After a long sigh, he said nothing more and stepped back in silence.

“If you don’t apologize to Sharice right now,” Rufus growled, his eyes locked on me, each word spat through clenched teeth, “then don’t even dream of setting foot in the villa again!”

But I just stood there, unmoved, my chin held high. My silence only added fuel to the fire burning in his chest.

Thoughts must’ve surged within him—wild and uncontrollable.

‘If only she had been a little more obedient back then, I wouldn’t have had to throw her out and make the whole city know the family had replaced the lady of the house.’

‘And now, on a night like this—my son’s grand engagement—she couldn’t even grant me the smallest shred of face?’

He had never expected me to be this proud. In his mind, I was supposed to be the same docile woman from the past, soft and pliant in his hands, someone who would give and give without asking for anything back.

He had always assumed that after I left, I’d regret it. That one day I’d crawl back in tears, begging for forgiveness.

But all these years, not once had I returned. Not for him. Not for the children.

In fact… I could feel it—he saw it, too. I looked even more radiant than before—glowing, renewed, as if life without him had become all the more rich and comfortable.

‘That is absolutely unacceptable!’

In his eyes, I should live the rest of my life beneath him, always looking up!

A vicious glint flashed in his gaze. He shot a glance at the bodyguard behind him.

The man had worked for Rufus for years and instantly understood. One look at Sharice’s tear-streaked, trembling face, and he sprang into action.

He strode toward me, his hand like a steel clamp, reaching for me.

“Apologize to Ma’am Sharice! And to every esteemed guest here tonight!”