Betrayed at the Altar, A Vengeful I Do

Be it our wedding anniversary or my special day, they invariably brought Sophia along, transforming my celebration into her showcase, making her the star of the event.

Even now, they've abandoned me for two days to be with Sophia, without so much as a single message.

Exhausted beyond caring, I gave a half-hearted response without even raising my head.

Only then did Lucas ease up, and a reluctant Noah entered through the doorway.

"Layla, we messed up earlier. You're always welcome in the Carter household."

I gave a slight nod, and Lucas finally presented a gift box, sighing with relief.

As the box's lid was slowly raised, it revealed a tattered wedding gown with mud stains on it.

They held the package as if it were scalding, suddenly at a loss for words.

I chuckled, my eyes filled with mockery.

Noah stammered, "Perhaps there was a mix-up, and the boxes looked alike, I made an error."

Lucas chimed in, "Some guests can be quite careless, you know..."

The "guest" they referred to was, without doubt, Sophia.

Since her arrival, the front seat became exclusively hers, and every trace of my presence was erased.

But now, my feelings had shifted, and their explanations evoked no response from me.

Noah and Lucas seemed slightly uneasy. "Layla, have you calmed down now?"

I was about to speak when they hurriedly added: "If there's a problem, take it out on us, don't bother Sophia."

"It's fine, I won't trouble you anymore."

They exchanged glances, taken aback by my unusual compliance.

Just then, my phone rang, and they used it as an excuse to leave.

"Aren't you going to give me the gift?" I asked quietly.

They awkwardly left the gift box behind and hastily departed: "You can open it yourself, there's medicine in the first aid kit!"

The door shut, and midnight struck. I knew it was another birthday spent in solitude.

"You forgot, today is my birthday," I whispered to myself.

I reserved a flight for two days later and went to the cemetery alone.

My parents' death anniversary coincides with my birthday, and each time I recall it, it feels like a knife twisting in my heart.

On that birthday, I had insisted on a hike, but we encountered a landslide, and my parents sacrificed themselves to push me to safety.

Harrison always reassured me, "They gave their lives to save you because they loved you more than anything. The best way to honor them is to show them you're happy."

It was the first time I heard such words; previously, everyone only blamed me.

Outside the cemetery, I was shocked to find Noah and Lucas digging at my parents' graves!

I rushed forward in disbelief, "What are you doing!"

They paused briefly, then said self-righteously, "Sophia's rabbit died, and this spot has good feng shui. We wanted to find another location."

"This is my parents' final resting place!" I yelled in fury.

Sophia appeared, "You lunatic! I won't let you harm them!"

She attempted to shove me, but I blocked her.

She tumbled to the ground.

I clutched the urn tightly, tears streaming down my face.

They had been favored by my parents, yet now, for a pet, they wanted to disturb my parents' graves!

Seeing my tears, Noah seemed momentarily stunned.

Lucas knelt down first, attempting to console me, "The dead can't return, Layla..."

I raised my hand, ready to strike him.

But Sophia suddenly lunged, taking the blow, and fell to the ground.

"It's alright, Lucas, as long as you're okay. I just hope Layla can forgive me..."

She knelt before me, feigning a tearful apology.

But I knew I had restrained myself, barely grazing her cheek!

The next moment, their sympathy for me turned to rage.

Noah gripped my head, forcing it into the muddy earth.

Lucas also pinned my knees, compelling me to kneel before the overturned urn.

"You caused your parents' death, and now you want to kill Sophia? You're so wicked, your parents died because of you!"

I struggled futilely, their words cutting deep like knives.

Behind them, Sophia smirked victoriously at me.

Then, she picked up the urn and smashed it violently on the ground!

Lucas hesitated, then gritted his teeth, "I'll have someone clean up your parents' ashes. What's important now is fixing your attitude!"

I screamed, trying to break free, but their guards held me firmly.

In my moment of despair, Harrison suddenly appeared at the other end of the exit.

Hope flickered in my eyes, and I cried out for help.