Fireworks For Others

I froze, a tiny, foolish spark of hope igniting in my chest. I asked, my voice barely a whisper, “Xavier, your hand…”

He snatched his hand back, quickly slipping the ring off and tucking it into his pocket before casually changing the subject. He’d grown careless, assuming my blindness was absolute, that I wouldn't notice such a detail.

Looking at his smug expression, the chat log replayed in my mind.

‘This little blind girl is a spitfire, and she's willing to try anything in bed.’

In that instant, my stomach churned as if I’d swallowed something rotten. I fought back the urge to vomit and forced a smile that felt more like a grimace.

“It’s nothing. The wind is strong, and it’s a little chilly.”

He pulled me tighter. “Then I’d better hold my Sophia close, so the wind doesn’t blow you away.”

The oblivious guests cooed, teasing Boss Xavier for being so affectionate, unable to bear being apart from his fiancée for a single moment.

Xavier, looking pleased, kissed my cheek. “Of course. I can’t live without my Sophia. If she disappeared for even a minute, I’d be worried sick.”

I tried my best to keep the tremor out of my voice and asked him softly, “Xavier, can you… can you tell me what it looks like today?”

His eyes filled with doting affection as he gently ruffled my hair and whispered intimately in my ear.

“Sophia, the estate is filled with your favorite roses. A white dress with red roses, it suits you perfectly.”

Tears welled up and spilled over, splashing onto his wrist in large, hot drops.

He was suddenly at a loss, fumbling to wipe them away.

“Sophia, why are you crying? Did I do something wrong?”

I flinched away from his touch, swallowing the scream that rose in my throat, and shook my head, trembling.

“Xavier, I’m fine. I’m just… I’m so moved.”

My stomach lurched again. I couldn't help but dry heave, feeling as if I might retch up my own insides.

When I looked up, a hint of pleasant surprise lit Xavier’s eyes.

“Sophia, are you…”

“It’s nothing, I’m just a little dizzy.”

I turned away, my hand gently stroking my flat abdomen.

It would never swell now.

His expression relaxed, and he poked my forehead playfully, oblivious to my pale face.

“Look at you, always so sensitive. So quick to cry. When we get married, you’ll probably cry a river of tears, won’t you?”

But Xavier, the fireworks didn't spell my name. The estate was filled with lilies, a flower whose scent I'm allergic to. And the dress I wore was red, the color I’d hated most since the day I went blind.

Everything here was for Serena Vance. Nothing was for me.