He Mocked My Birth, I Married a New Man

Chapter 3

Not long after my engagement banquet with Donovan ended, his mother asked him to take me to the party.

It was at that party that I met Sarah, who had just returned from studying abroad. She was very warm toward me and showed me around while Donovan was off busy with his own things.

Later, she was called away, and I sat alone in a corner, where I couldn't help but overhear some gossip.

"Honestly, I’d say Sarah’s the one to feel sorry for. She was supposed to be the one marrying Donovan. No one expected Serephina to step in just because of her brother’s sacrifice."

"Yeah, who doesn't know that Donovan has spoiled Sarah the most since childhood? She had been brought up in his family as a future bride. They really are a perfect match."

"Serephina has no shame whatsoever. If it were me, and my own brother died because of me, I would've thrown myself off a building ages ago, let alone marry the man who's practically his killer."

I went pale. Not wanting to embarrass Donovan, I slipped away alone to the rooftop.

The wind blew through my hair, and it reminded me of all the times Gideon used to style it for me.

I couldn't help but crouch down and cry my heart out. By the time Donovan finally found me, I was curled up in the corner, looking so fragile it seemed like the lightest touch might shatter me.

But he still stepped forward to interrogate me, "Why did you throw water on her?"

I looked at him, utterly confused, and what followed was even more damning.

"Amanda spoke up for Sarah a couple of times, and you threw water in her face. So I suppose if Sarah says something to you later, are you going to kill her?"

I knew Donovan had already made up his mind. Nothing I could say would change it.

And so, I didn't try to defend myself that day. I just learned to keep as far away from those people as possible.

Honestly, I did resent Sarah once, but she was protected too well, I knew she never schemed against anyone.

Even I, the woman who stole her fiancé, found her to be incredibly warm and kind.

She was so kind that it stirred a twinge of guilt deep inside me.

My vision blurred with tears, just like it had that night when I looked at Donovan. But this time, Sarah stood beside him.

He was helping her with her luggage and opening the car door for her.

As the car door closed, I caught the radiant smile on Sarah's face, and the faint smirk on Donovan's as he turned away.

The man was cold as ice, and the girl, bright and fiery. Yeah, they really were a perfect match, just as everyone said.

'Goodbye, Donovan. And Sarah… I'm finally giving him back to you.'

The last tear fell the moment I turned around, and Donovan, who hadn't looked back even once, glanced toward me just before he started the car.

But it was too late to turn back; all he caught was a silhouette before the door cut off his view.

While they drove to the airport, I went home to pack.

I had lived in this villa for four years and had truly thought of it as home. I'd accumulated quite a lot here.

Halfway through packing, I grew restless and wandered out to the second-floor balcony.

All kinds of flowers and greenery filled the space, completely out of character for Donovan. But there, tucked in the corner, a pot of dandelions was the exception.

That was a gift from Gideon. Or rather, it was a "replacement" he'd sent.

Gideon's death was sudden, a terrible accident. His personal belongings were burned along with him, leaving behind very few mementos. Apart from me, this pot of dandelions was all he'd left to the world.

I once asked Gideon why he didn't give me flowers or a proper plant, but instead something so plain. He smiled and pinched my cheek.

"What do you know? Dandelion seeds travel on the wind, and they're incredibly resilient and adaptable."

Well, I truly understood what the words he left unspoken meant. He was leaving his deepest wishes to me, his beloved little sister.

Unfortunately, the day Sarah came to visit, she accidentally bumped into the pot and sent it tumbling from the second floor.

The dandelion fluff scattered everywhere, leaving behind only dirt and broken stems. That was the first time I truly snapped, "What are you doing, messing with things here?"

Sarah went pale, stammering and at a complete loss for words, her sobs drifting into the study.

Donovan rushed over and immediately shielded her behind him. His face, which so rarely showed any emotion toward me, turned ice-cold at that moment.

"It's just a few pots of flowers. I'll buy you more if you want. Why are you being cruel to her?"

Out of nowhere, I fired back, "Can you even buy that pot of dandelions?"

"It's just a stupid weed. Can you stop causing a scene?!"

'Just a stupid weed? It isn't.'

I had actually told Donovan the story behind that pot of dandelions, but he didn't care. That's why he remembered nothing about it.

So when he called that plant a stupid weed, I couldn't even find the words to argue. In the end, I broke and said, "So, everything from Sarah is precious, and everything of mine is trash to you?"

Donovan thought I was being absurd. He wiped the tears from Sarah's face and took her away.

That was our first real fight.

Ironically, it was Sarah who eventually brought back a pot of dandelions and apologized. "Serephina, I really didn't mean it. I bought you a new pot. Donovan's been brooding these past few days. Please go comfort him and don't be mad anymore."

In that moment, I felt as though I had been the one in the wrong all along.

My thoughts drifted back to the present. I gently touched the dandelion, and its fluff drifted away like snowflakes.

Everything between Donovan and me, it should end like this, too, carried off by the wind.