The Lies of Marriage, The Price of Love

"Darling, I heard there are a lot of blood tests today. You’re always afraid of pain, but don’t worry, I’ll be right here with you," Dave said, holding her tightly, almost as if he was more nervous than Kate.

Kate quietly waited in line, holding the form in her hand. After she finished the first vial of blood, Dave's brow furrowed with concern as he looked at her. His face reflected his worry and it was clear he felt the discomfort on her behalf.

He gently comforted Kate, saying, "Does it hurt? Don't be afraid, I'm here."

In the past, when he said these words to Kate, her heart would warm with a sense of comfort.

But now, she felt nothing at all. She gently nodded her head. The pain of the blood draw was nothing compared to the hurt caused by him and Leona.

At that moment, the familiar ringtone sounded. Kate immediately recognized it— it was Leona's exclusive ringtone.

He answered the phone behind Kate's back, his voice laced with panic.

"What's wrong?"

"Wait for me, I'll come over right now."

His concern was evident in his eyes, though he tried to hide it. He pursed his lips before speaking. "Something happened at the company. I need to go there now. I'll come back to find you later."

Kate didn’t ask any more questions. She knew very well what Dave was about to do. But the constant lies, over and over again, had grown tiresome.

Kate was left alone, having had six vials of blood drawn.

Usually, she was most afraid of pain. When her period arrived, the cramps would make her cry in agony. But now, as she watched the needles pierce her veins one by one, there was no trace of fear in her.

Her nose tingled and the fire in her heart burned and died, but she couldn’t say a word. In the end, there was only numbness left.

She returned home alone, where it was nothing but more torment.

Looking at the new post from Leona, a bouquet after bouquet of flowers were arranged in a high-end restaurant, accompanied by the caption:

“Today, the ones I love are all by my side.”

In the photos, her parents were beaming with smiles, while a figure sat quietly in the corner, almost unnoticed. Even without seeing the face, Kate could tell it was Dave.

It turned out, her whole family had been keeping her in the dark all along.

Kate's hands trembled slightly and as she thought of these years, her eyes unconsciously began to redden.

She understood it all in her heart.

This family never truly had a place for her.

Even though she was the biological daughter of her parents, it seemed as if nothing she said would make a difference.

They only cared about what they thought in their hearts.

She no longer wanted to endure these days devoid of light. So, she wished them a lifetime together, never to be apart.

Dave didn’t come home all night, sending only a message to Kate: [Darling, I have to work overtime at the company. Go to bed early.]

Even on the eve of their wedding, he was still with Leona.

Kate could only feel the irony. Keeping him by her side at this moment was perfectly in line with Leona's character.

She couldn’t be bothered to pursue it. Rather than having a big argument with them, she preferred to leave this place as soon as possible. Staying for even one more minute made her feel disgusted.

"Your ship will arrive at dawn tonight. Will you come during the day or...?"

Before the person on the other end could finish speaking, Kate interrupted. "I’ll go at dawn."

"Alright, we’ll wait for you."

With Dave not at home, it saved her a lot of trouble.

She packed everything up and sent it away, leaving only Dave’s belongings behind.

The news of their wedding tomorrow had already spread throughout the circle and she watched as messages flooded in.

"Wish you a happy marriage!"

"Happy wedding! Wishing you lots of happiness!"

"I’ve always felt that you and Dave are a perfect match."