Chapter 17
1319 Words
Ellie’s P.O.V.
The Hunt Villa looked exactly the way I remembered, perfect and magnificent.
The building glowed beneath thousands of lights, every balcony draped with white roses and crystal decorations.
Luxury cars lined the driveway while reporters crowded near the entrance, camera flashes illuminating the evening like bursts of lightning.
Everything was beautiful, just like how I had imagined my wedding reception would look.
A sharp ache settled in my chest as I simply stood there, my grip tightening on my purse.
“Stop it, Ellie.” I reminded myself. “That dream is over.”
I wasn't here as Jared's bride anymore. I came here to attend this banquet on behalf of my husband.
Mr. Walton had trusted me with this responsibility. I couldn't disappoint him.
Straightening my shoulders, I walked toward the entrance.
The host immediately stopped me.
“Invitation, please.”
I smiled politely and handed him the envelope.
He opened it and frowned.
“I'm sorry, ma'am.”
The invitation was returned to my hand.
“This invitation belongs to Mr. Zackary Walton.”
“Yes.” I nodded. “I'm attending on his behalf.”
The host's expression didn't change.
“Unfortunately, this invitation does not grant entry to anyone except Mr. Walton himself.”
I blinked.
“What? I am his wife.”
“I'm sorry, ma'am.”
The words sounded rehearsed as the host said,
“If necessary, you may leave any gifts with us. We'll make sure they're delivered to Mr. Hunt.”
For several seconds, I simply gazed at him.
Was this a joke?
I had come all the way here, and now I was being denied entry like an unwanted guest.
People nearby had already begun looking in my direction, whispers drifting through the crowd.
I clenched my jaw.
“No. I can’t go back.”
What would I tell Mr. Walton?
Sorry. They wouldn't let me inside my dad’s house without an invitation.
My gaze moved around the entrance until it landed on the familiar face of the security head.
I pointed toward him.
“Please call Loyd here.”
The host remained unmoved, busy checking the guest list. However, the security chief noticed the commotion and walked over.
His eyes widened slightly when he recognized me.
“Miss Ellie?”
“Thank goodness.” I exhaled. “There seems to be some misunderstanding. He isn’t letting me go inside, Loyd.”
Loyd lifted his walkie-talkie and talked in code words for a while. Then he stepped aside.
“Please wait a moment here, Miss Ellie.”
That delay felt odd, but I stayed, avoiding a scene at the entrance.
A minute later, Susan emerged from the villa. She looked stunning in a silver designer gown, her eyes cold and unwelcoming.
Her expression darkened the moment she saw me.
“What are you doing here, Ellie?”
The surrounding whispers grew louder, people gossiping about the abandoned daughter of Hunt family.
My stomach tightened.
“I came on behalf of Mr. Walton.”
I lifted the invitation slightly.
“He recently underwent a medical procedure and couldn't attend.”
Susan's gaze flickered toward the growing crowd. Without warning, she grabbed my arm and started dragging me.
“Come with me.”
The moment we were out of earshot, she released me.
“What is wrong with you?”
Her voice was sharp with accusation.
“You already embarrassed this family once. Now you have come here to ruin Alice's celebration too?”
Something inside me simply… went cold. Honestly speaking, I was tired of apologizing and being blamed for everything all the time.
So, I didn’t argue and handed her the gift bag.
“Fine. I'll leave.
Have a wonderful evening, Mrs. Hunt.”
I turned, ready to walk away and go back to the White Mansion with another embarrassment. But it seemed like my fate clearly hated me as a luxurious black Rolls Rooyce pulled up near the entrance, blocking the entire way.
I had to step aside as the crowd surged forward, camera flashes exploding.
The air shifted instantly as Jared and Alice stepped out of the car, smiling brightly. They posed for the camera, accepting congratulations like a perfect couple.
Unable to watch that show, I looked away. I just needed the crowd to clear so I could leave quietly.
But all thanks to my rotten luck, Jared saw me, his smile freezing briefly.
He held Alice’s hand and walked toward me, the woman he humiliated in front of the entire city a few days ago.
My pulse quickened.
What was he doing?
Jared stopped a few feet away and smiled.
“Look who decided to come.”
The cameras followed him eagerly, capturing every moment.
Jared’s smile widened.
“My aunt. Mrs. Zackary Walton.”
My blood ran cold.
After a beat of silence, chaos erupted. The cameras focused on me, flashing from every direction. Reports began shouting questions.
“Aunt?”
“Mrs. Zackary Walton?”
“Look over here!”
I felt as if someone had plunged a knife in my chest, twisting it violently. It even hurt hearing the title of ‘Aunt.’
And the worst part?
It was true.
Jared tilted his head and asked politely.
“How is Uncle Zackary? Didn't he come?”
I inhaled slowly, forcing myself to stand straighter.
No!
I wouldn't let him see me break.
“Mr. Walton isn't feeling well.”
My voice remained steady as I spoke up. “He recently underwent angioplasty.”
Several reporters started scribbling notes. I continued formally.
“I have come to congratulate the Hunt family on behalf of White Mansion.”
For the first time, Jared's smile faltered, just enough to notice it for a second.
I lifted the gift bag and smiled.
“Mr. Walton was pleased to hear about your wedding, Jared. He sends his blessings and congratulations.”
Jared's expression darkened, his smile vanishing completely.
But Alice immediately stepped forward, her hand wrapping around mine.
She said with fake sweetness, her smile flawless beneath the camera flashes.
“Sister, I'm so glad you're here.”
I almost laughed at her Oscar winning acting as she turned toward the reporters, her voice carrying effortlessly.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Hunt family is honored to welcome all of you tonight.”
Just like that, everyone's attention shifted back to her, the spotlight exactly where she wanted it.
She slipped her hand into Jared's, resuming the act of the perfect couple and walked into the villa together, the crowd following them closely.
I remained standing there, alone, watching their backs disappear.
A humorless smile touched my lips.
“Yeah. This is going to be a very long evening.”
…
The ballroom looked like something out of a fairy tale. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, fresh flowers covering every table.
Guests laughed, drinking champion and celebrating that union. I stood alone in a corner with a glass of wine, trying to be invisible that wasn’t practically possible.
Everywhere I looked, people were watching me, their gazes sharp. Every few minutes, another camera flash appeared, hinting toward the growing curiosity.
At last, I pulled out my phone and pretended to scroll, a fragile attempt to avoid direct eye contact.
Unfortunately, it didn't work.
“Mrs. Zackary Walton?”
That professional voice made me look up.
A middle-aged reporter stood before me with a cameraman lingering behind him.
I forced a polite smile.
“Yes?”
The reporter asked professionally.
“If you don’t mind, I have some questions for you, ma’am.”
Although I wanted to shoo him away, I didn’t have any solid excuse for that. I shoved my phone back in my bag and nodded.
“Yes, of course.”
He smiled professionally, but his eyes were sharp and calculating.
“Weren’t you supposed to marry Mr. Jared Walton? How exactly did you become his aunt?"
- Writer
