Chapter 18
1544 Words
Ellie’s P.O.V.
My fingers tightened around the stem of my wine glass.
That reporter’s questions weren't innocent curiosity, but a direct attack at me as he continued.
“Everyone knows you were supposed to marry Mr. Jared Walton.”
He tilted his head. “How exactly did you become his aunt instead?”
His voice was loud enough to garner unwanted attention. A few nearby guests immediately turned their heads, waiting for my response.
My stomach tightened.
I had expected whispers, judgment, and even mockery. But it never occurred to me that someone would be bold enough to ask such questions directly to my face.
I raced my mind, searching for appropriate words to diffuse the situation. However, that reporter considered my silence as his victory and pressed further.
“And if you don't mind another question…”
His gaze sharpened.
“What was the reason behind your marriage to a scandalous man?”
Scandalous man!
The words struck harder than I expected.
My hands suddenly felt cold.
Even at this high-end banquet, people didn’t spare Zackary, bringing up the old issue for spicy news. At that moment, I finally realized why Zack always looked ready to bite someone’s head off.
As his son, he had to face this scrutiny every day in the past five years. Anyone could go insane after enduring it.
Surprisingly, thinking about Zack gave me courage to face the reporter.
Straightening my shoulders, I forced a smile.
“There's a saying. Pairs are made in heaven.
I raised my chin.
“And I found mine in the White Mansion.”
The reporter raised a brow, clearly not expecting me to answer so briefly.
Clearly dissatisfied, he tried again.
“Your younger sister married your former fiancé. Now you are her Aunt.”
His tone became aggressively loud.
“That's quite unusual, don't you think?”
A few people chuckled at this question, my misery entertaining them. Anger curled in my chest, faster than embarrassment this time.
Unfortunately for them, I wasn't in the mood to provide better material.
“Alice, Jared, Mr. Walton, and I are all family now.”
My voice remained steady as I smiled pleasantly.
“We're all Waltons.”
The reporter opened his mouth, ready to grill me further, but I beat him to it.
“Excuse me.”
I turned around and walked away before he could ask another question, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.
“How stupid you are, Ellie.” I muttered under my breath. “This circus is far more dangerous than facing Jared and Alice.”
To avoid more reporters, I came out of the hall and slipped into the nearest restroom, locking myself inside.
The noise of the banquet faded behind the door, the silence finally offering me the escape I needed the most.
Slowly, I approached the mirror, staring at my reflection for a long moment.
My smile was gone, my shoulders sagged as I looked exactly how I felt—tired, lonely, and lost.
A faint sting burned behind my eyes.
Zack accused me of marrying his dad for money, his bitterness keeping me on edge all the time. But tonight, I felt he was just a trailer of what was waiting for me outside the White mansion.
A bitter laugh escaped me.
“I didn't expect wealth to be this exhausting.”
Taking a deep breath, I tried to compose myself, just like every other time I hit rock bottom.
I opened my purse and pulled out a lip gloss, carefully touching up my makeup. After adjusting my hair, my gaze returned to the mirror.
I literally paused to see the woman staring back at me.
For the first time all evening, I truly looked at myself without any tension and realized how perfect everything was.
My dress was stylish, the embroidery shimmering beneath the lights as the silhouette flowed exactly as I had imagined.
Even Zack, a fashion business owner, had admitted it looked professionally made.
A smile appeared on my face. I pointed at the mirror.
“Damn, girl. You look gorgeous.”
That praise was silly, but it made me laugh, lightening the mood.
At least, I wasn’t a rejected bride or abandoned daughter tonight.
My new identity was Mrs. Walton, and I would act like it!
By the time I stepped back into the ballroom, my heart was at peace.
The reporters returned several times, but after receiving nothing except polite smiles and boring answers, they eventually lost interest.
I sighed in relief and mingled with guests, meeting Maria and her family who had just joined the party.
She whispered in my ear.
“You rock, Ellie. My dress is the same as before. Mom didn’t spot the alterations.”
With her hourglass figure, Maria really looked beautiful in that designer dress. Her gaze slowly swept over my dress and she gasped dramatically.
“Ellie Hunt. When did you buy that?”
She pointed at me accusingly.
“You went shopping without me? How can you do that?”
I had to squeeze her hand to stop her from screaming.
“Gosh, Maria. Calm down.”
My gaze darted around cautiously.
“I made it. It’s not store bought.”
I thought that explanation would minimize the effects of betrayal, but Maira came up with another issue.
“You made this dress without telling me? Ellie, you didn’t even upload its picture on your store’s page.”
How was I supposed to tell her the tale of that chaotic dress making?
The memory of two hectic days of work and then Zack’s fashion show revolved in my mind, giving me a headache. I was thinking about where to start when I spotted my dad among the guests.
Relief flickered briefly inside me.
“Maria, I haven’t said hello to dad.” I swiftly made an excuse. “See you later.”
Thankfully, Maria spared me from interrogation and let me leave. I went to see my dad, my heart thumping in anticipation.
Maybe we could talk a bit…
“Dad.”
I paused a few steps away and called him softly. He turned, his gaze landing on me. But he looked away quickly and resumed his conversation with his friends, ignoring me completely.
My heart clenched painfully as I stood there alone, watching him laughing and receiving congratulations from others.
I had no place in his life even as Mrs. Zackary Walton.
After another hour in that banquet, exhaustion finally won. I decided to leave as I had delivered the gift and represented the White Mansion long enough for every guest to know I was there.
That should be enough.
I turned toward the exit, pulling out my phone to call the driver. However, the sudden clinking of the spoon on the glass halted me in my tracks.
The lights dimmed, and the entire ballroom quieted, the spotlight flashing on the stage.
The host stepped on it with a bright smile.
“Ladies and gentlemen! We are gathered here to celebrate the sacred union of Alice and Jared Walton.”
The applause followed as the spotlight moved to the dashing couple. The host announced warmly.
“So before we continue the evening, let's hear a few words from our groom.”
Jared accepted the microphone with a smile.
“Thank you, everyone. Tonight means more to me than words can express.”
A sharp ache spread through my chest as he gazed at Alice with tender affection.
He sang soulfully.
“I found my home inside your eyes,
A place where every dream survives...”
Alice blushed, her cheeks turning cherry tomatoes as Jared held her hand and spun her gently beneath the lights, her white dress flowing in waves.
The crowd practically melted.
“I am the luckiest man in this room,” Jared said. “It still feels unbelievable that you said yes.”
He looked into her eyes, his voice laced with warmth.
“You are everything I ever wanted, Alice. The woman of my dreams. I still remember the day when I first fell for you.”
My stomach knotted as he chuckled lightly.
“The Rex flower festival… It was the day when I looked into these mesmerising emerald eyes and realized I could spend my entire life gazing at them.”
He went on and on about Alice’s beauty, but my world ceased to exist after that flower festival.
I remembered that day perfectly.
The flower festival was our third date, the day Jared held my hand and asked me to be his girlfriend.
My pulse thundered violently. I felt sick to my stomach as it dawned on me.
While I thought he was falling in love with me, Jared was fantasizing about Alice, noticing how good she looked in yellow sundress.
He never intended to be with me.
Rage burned through me as a volcano erupted in my chest. My vision blurred red.
The ballroom vanished.
And suddenly… I was marching toward the stage.
“HOW DARE YOU! You cheating bastard!”
Jared spun around, his eyes widening.
My hand rose, and for the first time in two years… I stopped being that foolish lover and slapped him hard across his face…
- Writer
