Even so, Kristy kept her attention fixed on Jessica, and her eyes glowed with warmth and affection.
Although this moment marked her own wedding, she felt invisible, as if her presence carried no weight at all.
That realization lingered, and a faint, self-mocking smile slowly appeared on Alina's lips.
"Since Miss Hayes is about to be married, you will no longer be by her side to serve her," Kristy said as she turned toward Alina. "You should bow and thank her properly, then say your goodbye before she leaves."
Hearing those words, Alina felt her expression turn cold.
From the time she was still a child, Kristy treated her with cold severity, yet she showed Jessica nothing but warmth and attention.
Whenever she spoke about her duty, Kristy insisted that the Hayes family had given her a livelihood, so she had to devote herself to caring for Jessica. Because of that belief, Alina grew up serving Jessica like a maid, and even the smallest hint of displeasure from Jessica would lead to harsh scolding or punishment from Kristy.
During those early years, Alina had no means to stand on her own, and she accepted everything in silence. After she became financially independent, she tried to convince her mother to leave the Hayes family behind, yet Kristy refused without hesitation and remained devoted, especially to Jessica.
Still, nothing could have prepared her for what happened on her wedding day, when her own mother demanded that she bow in gratitude and bid Jessica farewell.
Faced with that demand, Alina stood her ground and refused to comply. In response, Kristy lost her temper at once and raised her voice. "Don't forget where you came from. Without the Hayes family, you would have nothing. Even after marriage, your place remains beneath them. Miss Hayes gave you everything, so you must repay her with loyalty for the rest of your life."
At the sound of the commotion, nearby guests began to turn and stare, their eyes filled with curiosity and judgment.
Under those watchful gazes, Alina felt heat rush to her face, and the weight of humiliation settled heavily on her chest.
Without uttering a single word, Jessica remained in place, yet the look in her eyes betrayed a mix of envy and bitterness.
Being the daughter of a servant, Alina should have been someone she could easily ignore, yet her excellence had always placed her far above expectations and beyond her reach.
Because of those constant comparisons, resentment had quietly taken root in Jessica's heart over the years.
"Tell me the truth. Are you really my mother?" Alina's eyes reflected deep disappointment.
For a brief second, panic surfaced in Kristy's expression, but it vanished just as quickly, replaced by harsher words. "I carried you for nine months and endured everything just to bring you into this world. What more do you want from me? Are you ashamed because I'm only a servant? Come and see this, everyone! Look at how the daughter I raised chooses to treat me after everything I have done for her!"
Kristy's loud cries echoed through the space, and before long, the guests around turned their attention to the scene.
Unable to tolerate the disruption any longer, Edmond Hayes, Jessica's father, stepped forward and spoke with restrained authority. "This is supposed to be a celebration, so lower your voice and stop causing a scene."
Choosing not to engage any further, Alina turned away without another word and made her way toward the waiting car.
Once inside, she shut her eyes tightly and tried to steady the storm of emotions rising within her.
Soon, she would be face-to-face with her fiancé, Alan Hopkins, so she forced herself to hold on to a cheerful mood for his sake.
Thinking about Alan brought a small sense of comfort, and her racing thoughts began to settle.
Back in their college days, their paths first crossed. Although Alina had no interest in falling in love at that time, Alan refused to give up on her and pursued her with steady determination until she finally gave in to his sincerity.
At that moment, another car passed by hers and briefly caught her attention.
Lifting her gaze, Alina watched the vehicle that carried Jessica, and a mix of emotions surfaced in her eyes.
Since childhood, Jessica had always been showered with affection by the Hayes family, yet they unexpectedly agreed to marry her off through an arrangement, and her groom turned out to be Kellan Gilbert.
Kellan was once known as a man admired by everyone and feared by many. His life changed drastically after a tragic car accident the previous year. That incident left him scarred and known for his volatile temper, and rumors even spread that he had lost his ability as a man.
Instead of a proper wedding, the Gilbert family made a simple demand, and they only required the Hayes family to send Jessica over without any ceremony.
At first, Alina believed that the Hayes family would cancel the arrangement to protect Jessica, no matter the cost.
Instead of intervening, they chose to remain silent, and they watched as Jessica stepped into what looked like a dangerous and uncertain future. As that realization settled in, Alina decided it was no longer her concern. From that moment forward, she resolved to cut all ties and leave both the Hayes family and Jessica behind for good.
Due to exhaustion from a restless night, sleep claimed her not long after she shut her eyes.
After some time had passed, Alina slowly regained consciousness in a room filled with dim lighting. Under the faint glow, her surroundings came into view, and the luxurious decor stood out even in the shadows.
Uncertainty washed over Alina. Could this actually be where Alan lived?
Had they not been meant to head straight to the wedding ceremony first?
Perhaps he had planned some surprise for her.
While those questions lingered, the door suddenly opened without warning.
Through the doorway, a man stepped inside.
Because of the faint lighting, Alina could not make out his face, yet his tall and solid build stood out, and the heavy presence around him made her feel uneasy. A quiet sense of danger crept in, and her instincts immediately warned her to stay alert.
"Who are you?" Alina asked, fixing her gaze on him.
Without offering any reply, he moved forward, reached the bed, and forced her down against the mattress while his imposing figure hovered above her. As he leaned closer, his warm breath brushed against her ear, and it sent a sharp shiver through her body.
Reacting at once, Alina struggled to push him away, yet he caught both her wrists with ease and held them in place.
"Kellan Gilbert," he replied.
The moment his name registered, shock filled her eyes.
Having revealed who he was, Kellan bent down without hesitation and pressed his lips against hers.
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