Sunflowers Bloom Early in Spring

An explosion destroyed my home completely.

My father, as the project supervisor, was imprisoned and eventually died of a heart attack in his cell.

The enraged families of the victims directed their hatred toward us—hurling insults, beatings, and even crueler forms of torture…

Overnight, my sister, my mother, and I were all impregnated by strangers.

My mother broke down and took her own life. My sister rushed into the street and was hit by a car.

When my fiancé, Orlando, found me, I was curled up beside a trash can, my lower body festering and reeking.

His face twisted in disgust. "Your father got so many people killed. Your whole family deserved this."

He married someone else soon after.

Just when I thought I would rot to death in the darkness, Justin Porter appeared. He lifted me out of the filth.

He didn’t care that I could no longer bear children. He didn’t care that I had been defiled. He spoiled me beyond reason.

I became the most envied Mrs. Porter in the city.

Until one day, when I picked up Justin’s forgotten watch and walked toward his study, only to freeze at the door upon hearing a conversation that chilled my blood.

"Tomorrow is Cecilia Rosen’s birthday. She invited you and your wife." Orlando’s voice carried through the door.

"You’re ruthless. Back then, you pushed the Hayes family to take the blame so Cecilia’s family could walk away clean. I owe you for that."

My legs gave out, and I had to brace myself against the wall.

"I can’t stand to see Cecilia cry." Justin’s voice was tender. "Her father’s mistakes—I’ll erase them for her. If she wants you, I’ll clear the path."

Orlando scoffed. "Justin, you’re something. Aren’t you afraid that one day, Iris Hayes will find out the truth?"

Justin’s voice turned colder. "What if she does? A ruined woman like her should be grateful she even became Mrs. Porter. For Cecilia, I’d go to hell and back."

I stumbled away.

All his careful tenderness… had only ever been for another woman.

I barely made it back to my room before Justin pushed the door open.

He pulled me into his arms, fingers brushing my face. "You look pale. Has Lily not been taking good care of you?"

Before I could answer, he continued, "Tomorrow is Orlando’s wife’s birthday party. Come with me, alright?"

He took out a velvet box—inside lay a delicate diamond necklace.

"I planned to give this to you later," he said softly as he fastened it around my neck, "but since you seem down, consider it an early surprise."

"Lily said you were staring at someone else’s child at the mall." He kissed my forehead. "Iris, I told you—it doesn’t matter if we never have children. I love you regardless."

A shiver ran through me.

Had I not overheard his conversation, I might have fallen for his gentleness all over again.

The next day, I let the maids dress me like a doll—adorned in his jewelry, draped in an evening gown, clinging to his arm as we entered the banquet hall.

Cecilia stood at the center, surrounded by admirers.

This woman—once the daughter of a chauffeur who relied on my family’s support—was now a wealthy socialite. I turned slightly and caught Justin’s gaze on her, brimming with unconcealed tenderness.

"Iris is here." Cecilia approached me, deliberately touching the diamond necklace around her throat. "Thanks to your Justin for the gift, by the way."

Only then did I notice—she was wearing jewelry from the same collection as mine, but hers was far more lavish and expensive.

My heart ached.

"I’m no longer the Hayes family’s young lady," I said calmly. "The Hayes family is long gone."

Whispers erupted around us:

"I heard she was… with so many men… that she started rotting down there…"

"They say she even had a miscarriage…"