Chapter 4My Best Choice

The ring was gone. I was wondering how to explain it to Julian when he called me first.

He told me not to worry, that he had already commissioned a new one from overseas and that it would arrive in time for my birthday.

Relieved, I went to my design studio on the way home, intending to pick up the wedding dress my mother had designed for me before she died.

But as soon as I walked in, the receptionist told me, “Miss Aurora, Mr. Boyle is upstairs.”

For the past five years, no one around me knew the depth of my obsession with Bob. It was so consuming that even my most sacred professional space was a place he could enter without question.

At that thought, a heavy sense of dread washed over me.

I raced upstairs, and the sight that greeted me sent a wave of hot fury to my head.

Lily was standing in front of a mirror, preening in the wedding dress my mother had made for me with her own hands.

“Bob, do I look beautiful in this dress?”

“Of course. My Lily is the most beautiful bride in the world.”

My mother had been an internationally renowned fashion designer.

In her final days, ravaged by illness, she had poured all her remaining strength into creating one last, perfect dress for me, sketching the design and sewing every stitch herself.

After her death, that dress became my most treasured possession.

In the first two years we were together, Bob had held me many times, whispering praise.

“My Aurora, when you wear this dress, you will be the most beautiful bride in the world.”

I felt as if I’d been slapped, my head ringing.

“Who gave you permission to touch my things? Take that dress off!”

Bob’s face hardened. “Aurora, you bullied Lily and you stole her ring. Consider this dress an apology.”

My expression was ice. “I said, take it off!”

Humiliated by my defiance, Bob roared, “Enough, Aurora! If you keep this up, you can kneel at my feet until you die, and I still won’t show up at your birthday banquet! You’ll be the one who’s shamed!”

“I’m warning you, know your limits, or I’ll make you regret it.”

“It’s okay, Bob,” Lily said, stepping in. “If Miss Thorne doesn’t want me to have it, I’ll take it off.”

She disappeared into the changing room, but when she emerged, she was holding a pile of torn fabric.

“Oh, Miss Thorne, I’m so sorry! I had no idea the quality was so poor. It just ripped to pieces when I barely pulled at it. It’s a good thing I didn’t take it. Wearing such garbage to a wedding would be so degrading.”

I stared at the shredded silk on the floor, my heart twisting in agony.

Bob, seeing my devastation, said magnanimously, “Since it’s ruined, just forget it. It wasn’t worth much anyway. In a week, you be ready. Transfer all of your father’s assets to me, not a single cent left behind. After Lily and I have our wedding, you can be my official mistress. I’ll give you a three-hundred-dollar monthly allowance. Consider it compensation.”

I watched them walk away, laughing and chatting.

My gaze turned cold.

In one week, we’ll see who’s still laughing.

My father threw a lavish birthday banquet for me.

Besides the other three great families of Kingsbridge, many of our business partners were in attendance.

The moment Bob walked in, he was swarmed with well-wishers.

“Mr. Boyle, you were clearly born for greatness. You and Miss Thorne are a match made in heaven.”

“After today, you’ll be the most powerful man in Kingsbridge! When you’re feasting, we hope you’ll leave some scraps for us little guys.”

Bob, high on the praise, was puffed up with arrogance.

When I appeared in an exquisite gown, he immediately scowled and hissed, “Why are you dressed so conspicuously? It’ll be harder for you to hide later. Go find a maid’s uniform and hide in a bathroom. Don’t come out all day.”

I didn’t even look at him.

Bob’s face turned black with rage. “Aurora, if you dare ruin my wedding with Lily, don’t ever expect me to look at you again.”

Just then, my father emerged from his study with his lawyer.

He smiled at me. “Darling daughter, since you’ve chosen your husband yourself, why don’t you make the announcement?”

Bob saw me walking toward him and a triumphant smirk spread across his face.

In the next second, I walked right past him and linked my arm with the man standing behind him.

“Dad,” I announced, my voice clear and steady. “The man I choose to marry is Julian Blackwood.”