Our Final Goodbye

From the time I was eighteen, I had been waiting to marry Adrian.

Even after making up my mind to call off the engagement, feelings like that could not be severed overnight.

I was just about to speak when the front door was pushed open. Zoe burst in, crying. "Mr. Cole, Iris's wedding dress got stained during transport by accident… The wedding is tomorrow. What should we do?"

Adrian could never stand seeing Zoe cry. He pulled her into his arms, full of concern. "Well, if it's dirty, then change it. It's nothing serious."

"I happened to pick a simple one for Iris. I'm not sure if she'll like it."

I looked at the wedding dress in her hands. The fabric was cheap, hanging loose and shapeless.

I could not help mocking, "Is that a wedding dress, or clothes for mourning?"

Leaning against Adrian's chest, Zoe's face slowly drained of color. "This is my fault. I shouldn't have decided to change the wedding dress on my own. Don't worry. Even if I scrub my fingers raw tonight, I'll wash the dress clean for you."

Adrian barked sharply, "Enough!"

He turned his gaze to me, his eyes cold. "I promised you the position of Mrs. Cole, and I've already delivered. And now you're going to make things difficult for Zoe over a wedding dress?!"

He spoke with righteous indignation, as if I were the one who had stained the dress. He just crushed the very last trace of hope that had just ignited in my heart without any mercy.

I gave Mr. and Mrs. Cole an apologetic smile. "Mr. and Mrs. Cole, I don't think I can stomach this meal today."

Mr. Cole flew into a rage and strode forward, slapping Adrian hard across the face. "If you don't draw the line with this woman, then everything belonging to the Coles will have nothing to do with you!"

Adrian looked at him coldly. "If it weren't for the Coles, would I even need to get married?"

My chest tightened in pain. So I had long stopped being the person Adrian wanted to marry.

Zoe cried as she rushed forward. "This is all my fault. I'll leave. Please don't argue because of me."

Her words only ignited Adrian's protectiveness even more.

Just as I was about to stand and leave, my eyes accidentally landed on the emerald bracelet around Zoe's wrist. I rushed forward and demanded, "Where did you get that bracelet?!"

Unfortunately, before I could reach her, Adrian yanked me back. My lower back slammed into a marble memorial table, and burning ash scattered over me.

He paused, his face dark enough to drip water. "It's just a bracelet. Is this really worth making such a scene?"

I realized it all at once. "You stole it from my jewelry box and gave it to her, didn't you?"

A flicker of hesitation flashed through Adrian's eyes before he resolutely stepped in front of Zoe. "This was originally the Coles'. Who I give it to has nothing to do with you."

I stared at Adrian for a long time, my eyes full of disappointment.

Mrs. Cole was so furious she could barely speak. She pointed at Adrian and scolded him, "You unfilial son! This bracelet is something our family passes down to our daughters-in-law. How could you casually give it to an outsider?!"

He knew exactly what that necklace meant.

I met Adrian's silent gaze and suddenly smiled. "Since Miss Bennett likes it, then let it return to its rightful owner."

Adrian panicked instantly and grabbed my arm. "What do you mean?"

Beside him, Zoe suddenly cried as she tried to take off the bracelet. "I'll give it back to you. Please don't be angry, okay?"

She moved too quickly, red marks instantly appearing around her wrist.

Adrian rushed over at once, stopping her and tightly holding her hand. When he looked at me again, his gaze was filled with undisguised disgust. "Look at her. Zoe is a thousand times more sensible than you. If it weren't for your Warren family using investment to demand repayment of favors, why would I ever marry a woman like you?"

I looked at the bracelet, still sitting securely on Zoe's wrist, and suddenly felt utterly exhausted.