Love Me Or I Die

CHAPTER 24

“Mom, am I really your daughter? Tell me. Am I? You always accused me of robbing everything from Sophia. Have you ever thought about it? In reality, it was her who has robbed me of everything. My childhood, my teens, and my present life.”

She gave a bitter laugh. Ha, my mother. This is being a mother? Mum, are you only willing to see my suffering but not see my happiness?

“Mom, how do I feel every day after I married Daniel? Mom, do you know what kind of pain and aching I was in?

“No. You didn’t know. You never knew and never bothered to find out. Mom, everyone is made of flesh and blood. Everyone know pain and aching. You always assume that I’m strong, which was why I don’t have the right to feel. Right?” Lucia shook her head. Her eyes showed a kind of weakness which no one has seen before.

Stella was caught off-guard, even embarrassed by her confrontation. There were things that had nagged at her, but she never wanted to face them.

“Lucia, you don’t deserve to be happy. Don’t forget that you owe Sophia a life.” Stella picked up her bag and walked hurriedly out of the washroom. She had closed the door so hard that it closed with a loud bang.

Lucia merely put her hands on her stomach and pressed hard. Must she die in order to compensate for the life she had owed the late Sophia?

She looked at her reflection. The elaborate makeup on her face was all messed up. She lowered her head, turned on the tap, and let the frigid water dripped on her fingertips.

She lowered her head. Tears fell drop by drop from her chin, and then they started flowing. She washed the excess makeup off her face and lifted her head to see her extremely pale complexion.

She knew she could never be a princess.

No amount of makeup could hide her badly-scarred heart as she wiped her tears off.

…

Daniel had his hands on his lap. The auction had already sold five or six items, and there was a few more left. He lifted his wrist. The minute hand on his watch had moved a few more rounds. She had been gone for half an hour. Has something happened to that woman? Should he get someone to check on her?

“Cousin, are you getting worried?” Justin asked with pointed honesty as he observed the uneasiness that Daniel was displaying. He had ended the eye contest with someone.

Daniel’s expression was as aloof as before, but his actions had betrayed him. He kept glancing at his watch, not that he was counting the minutes. He was worried about some woman.

He simply glanced ungratefully at Justin, and the latter cowered tightly. He was not blaming Daniel, but why was he receiving icy looks?

“Ah, coming. She’s coming, Cousin. Look.” He pointed in the direction behind Daniel. She was finally back. However, a man had the urge to snatch her.

“I’m sorry. You’ve waited for a long time.” Lucia sat at her old seat. She had just reapplied a light layer of makeup on her pale face. At last, she had some color back.

“You cried.” Daniel narrowed his eyes as he lifted her chin gently with his fingers. Those were bloodshot eyes, as red as a rabbit’s. He already knew that she had indeed cried.

“No, I didn’t. It was the sand that went into my eyes, and they felt uncomfortable.” she shook her head with a faint smile. Then, she rubbed her eyes gently with her fingers to make it looked like sand had really gone in.

Justin rolled his eyes, “Lady, this is indoors, not the Sahara Desert. There is no sand here.”

Didn’t women like to gain sympathy from others by using their tears? Why did she want to keep on hiding it from his cousin? If it were him, his tears would have flowed like a waterfall.

Daniel put his hands down as his eyes turned more serious. He did not like her lying to him, and yet he did not have the heart to question her further.

“This next item is a piece of jewelry—a necklace strung with Akoya Pearls. Its refraction gives the pearls a rosy-white luster resulting in a beautiful surface. Akoya Pearls have the highest grading among pearls. They can be crafted into accessories with pure gold or blue diamond, and you will be delighted by the perfect match no matter which combination you choose. Also, you will be pleased to know that this series of pearls is flawless with the right density and a beautiful gloss.

“There are these quotes ‘you pay for what you get’ and ’round as pearls and smooth as jade’. The rounder a pearl, the more beautiful it is. Big, round, and perfect pearls represent the aesthetic appearance of a full moon. Combined with the luster, it creates a dreamy and poetic beauty. This strand is made up of ninety-nine round natural pearls of the size. Each pearl is Grade A in quality with a bright reflection, a well-distributed sharpness, and a clear image.

“It was said that this is a strand of necklace which brings happiness and luck.”

The auctioneer held the strand of a gorgeous and white pearl necklace in his hand as he continued to speak from the stage. Lucia gawked at the stage and wondered if it would really bring happiness and love to its owner.

Would it?

“The bidding starts now from 300,000, with an increment of 30,000 for each bid.”

Daniel narrowed his eyes.

He had not participated in the previous bids. This was his first.

“500,000.”

All attention was on him, and the silence in the room was eerie. No one was willing to vie against him because he was a hard man to mess with. Besides, buying a strand of necklace with 500,000 dollars was too extravagant.

There was bound to have someone who refused to give in.

“510,000…” A man called out meekly. Everyone focused their attention on the man, who looked to be in his early twenties as beads of sweat started to appear on his forehead. A coquettish-looking woman sat beside him with her hand on his elbow. Her eyes became greedy as soon as she saw the pearl necklace. This was a man who was trying to impress his woman.

The auctioneer’s eyes twitched as he stood on the stage. “Pardon me, sir. Please pay attention to the rules. There is a 30,000 increment with each bid. Thus, the bidding price for each call is 530,000 or 560,000. You may also increase the bidding price if you wish.”

He smiled apologetically while the man sitting in the bidding zone gave a cough in embarrassment.

“530,000…” It was the same meekly voice. His audience couldn’t help but shudder as goosebumps appeared on their skin.

“Cousin, is there something wrong with this person’s brain?” Justin scratched his head. A man like this was competing against his cousin. It actually made him feel lowly.

“1 million.” Daniel smiled sarcastically then he pursed his lips tightly, indicating his ruthlessness.

After a while, the same meek voice came from the bidding zone again. The man sounded as though he was on the verge of crying, “1.03 million.”

“1.5 million.” Daniel’s eyes became more somber.

“1.53 million…” That voice sounded like he was crying.

Lucia tilted her head in puzzlement as she listened to the exchange between the two men. She could not understand why her husband was persistent.

“3 million.” Daniel looked up.

Three million was the highest bidding price in this auction. No one had come close to this price. Even now.

All eyes were focusing intensely on the other bidder. The female companion by his side muttered something to him which made him anxious. The woman then stood up angrily and walked away. Her hips swayed from one side to the other with each step. As her lips moved, one could vaguely make out her words.

“You are f**king wasteful.”

“Three million going once! Three million going twice! Sold for three million dollars. Good!” The deal was concluded with a bang on the gavel. “This strand of pearl necklace representing happiness and love has been sold to ‘Number 85’, Mr. Daniel.” The auctioneer had clearly memorized the names and the numbers that were assigned to everyone in the room, especially for a character like Daniel. He could cause the business world to quake with a stamp from his foot.

Daniel stood up with a hand in his pocket and strode out with his long legs. His steps were elegant. With his aloof and ruthless features as well as his tall and sturdy body, his presence was too frightening to be neglected.

“Mr. Daniel, may I know which lady do you intend to give this necklace to?” the auctioneer asked as he respectfully handed the necklace to him while he handed the credit card and accepted the necklace.

Cash on delivery… which was fair. It was also the regulation of the deal.

Daniel looked down at the necklace which he was holding and tightened his grip. For… for whom? Then he parted his lips and said in three words, “For my wife.”

His reply had shocked everyone who had thought that he did not like his wife. He had even caused her embarrassment during their wedding ceremony. After they had wedded, he was frequently seen in the company of several female companions. Why would he spend so much money and buy a gift for his wife?

Perhaps the rumors had been false, and the pair of husband and wife had been living in harmony and respect.

Daniel walked down the stage. Lucia put her fingers against her quivering red lips. Her long eyelashes were wet with her tears.

Daniel sat down, turned, and looked at her. “Crying again? Is it because you’re happy now?” He touched her eyes with his fingers. Sure enough, his fingers were slightly moist.

He opened the box on his lap, took out that pearl necklace, and put it on her neck. This has elevated her gown and gave it a brand-new feel.

The pearls on her gown and the pearls on her neck had the same luster. Under the lighting, they accentuate her porcelain skin, which looked as if she was basking under the moonlight.

With the exception of her red eyes.

“Why?” Lucia caressed the pearl necklace on her neck gently. Three million seemed really expensive. She might not be worth that amount if she were to sell herself.

Moreover, he had declared before so many people that he had bought it for his wife. Her name happened to be Lucia.

“I thought you wanted it?” Daniel lifted his brow. “You had been staring at the stage with your longing eyes. Don’t tell me you have not thought about how you would feel if you really own it. A woman must be honest. Overly modest is just stupid.”

Lucia put her hand down as she gently bit her red lips. “Thank you.” Too much gratitude could not be conveyed with just a simple ‘thank you’. The significance of this gift was not its monetary value. Rather, it was for his recognition towards her. He had called her his wife. Was he acknowledging her as his wife?

“You know that I don’t want you to thank me.” Daniel smiled confidently as his lips curved beautifully. It wasn’t a big smile, but one could tell that he was in a good mood now.