Chapter 2

2：

"Is that Silas? The one who just got out?"

"Look at him. He doesn't look like a Sterling at all anymore."

"What an embarrassment. How does he even have the nerve to show up here?"

The harsh whispers weren't even hidden. They crashed into my ears like waves.

Fortunately, I had built a thick suit of armor around my heart. These words couldn't hurt me anymore.

"Silas, Selene and I got married today. You didn't show up, and I was worried something happened to you," Ian said.

He walked toward me, reaching out as if to grab my arm.

I felt a wave of revulsion and instinctively stepped back.

My father's anger flared instantly. He scanned me from head to toe, his voice icy.

"Today is Ian's big day. You're wearing those rags just to humiliate us, aren't you?"

I looked down at my faded, cheap clothes and let out a bitter laugh.

When I was released, I only had a few old items. They had thrown away all my expensive clothes years ago.

This was literally the best thing I owned.

Seeing the disappointment in my father's eyes, my resolve started to crack slightly.

I remembered how proud he used to be of me before Ian joined the family. Now, I was his greatest shame.

The contrast was colder than the winter wind.

Since I stayed silent, my mother sighed in disappointment.

Serena watched me quietly, her expression suggesting she was watching a pathetic clown.

Only Selene looked away guiltily the moment our eyes met.

Looking at her still made my heart ache.

I once thought she was the woman I'd spend my life with.

Now, in the blink of an eye, she was another man's wife.

I took in all their expressions, finding the whole thing incredibly ironic.

"If the world knew you treated another man's son like a treasure while throwing away your own, I don't think I'd be the embarrassed one," I said.

My father's face turned purple. "Silas! How dare you talk back!"

I met his rage with a steady gaze. "Am I not telling the truth?"

The air in the room seemed to freeze.

"Silas, that's enough," my mother interrupted softly.

My father was about to explode again, but Ian cut him off.

"Dad, it's my wedding day. Please forgive Silas this once. I'm sure he didn't mean it."

Ian acted like a saint. The more he did that, the more I looked like a villain.

My father snorted. "For Ian's sake, I'll let it go. Now that you're out, try to be a decent human being for once."

I clenched my jaw, my heart turning to ice.

Then Ian spoke up again. "Silas, my birthday party is in seven days. A lot of the city's elite will be there."

"I want you to come. Let everyone see that you've turned over a new leaf. I'm sure they will forgive you."

"Forgive? Turn over a new leaf?"

I smiled coldly, feeling a strange sense of sorrow.

Seven days from now was exactly when I was leaving.

Fine. I would make sure to give him a birthday gift he'd never forget.