The Life I Won Back
The makeup artist makes a final adjustment to the veil, gently pinching its edge with tweezers; each movement is meticulous and careful.
She stepped back and gazed at her reflection in the mirror, smiling as she said, Ms. Lynn, you look truly beautiful today. Mr. Green will surely be pleasantly surprised when he sees you.
The image in the mirror lifted the corners of her mouth in a smile, but it was somewhat forced.
The blush on my cheeks was a delicate pink, yet the fear lurking in my eyes could not be hidden.
"The weather is so fine today, perfectly suited for a wedding." The bridesmaid brought a cup of warm water, wrapped in a pale pink cozy. She handed it to me, her voice brimming with envy: "Look at the sun, not a single cloud in the sky. Surely, your days ahead will be smooth and blessed."
I took the cup, feeling the warmth of its surface against my fingertips; the gentle heat traveled along my skin but could not thaw the turmoil within my heart.
I lowered my gaze to the rippling water inside the cup and softly replied, "Yes, I hope everything goes well."
As the banquet hall doors swung open, I clenched the hem of my gown, waiting.
The wedding dress's hem was long, embroidered with delicate pearls; each step required careful caution, afraid of damaging the skirt or unraveling the hopes pinned on this long-awaited wedding.
Daniel Green wore a sharply tailored suit; the black fabric accentuated his upright figure, yet the joy expected of a groom was absent from his eyes.
His tie was the one I had carefully selected a few days agoa navy blue with subtle patternsbut now it seemed to have lost its shine.
He came to my side but did not take my hand as he had during the rehearsal.
There was half an arm's length between ussoon-to-be spouses, yet estranged as if meeting for the first time.
"Don't be nervous later, just follow my lead," I whispered. I whispered, trying to dissolve the awkwardness.
I even raised my hand, intending to gently touch his arm, but halfway there, I quietly withdrew it.
Daniel Green did not respond; his gaze drifted to a corner of the Banquet Hall, lost in thought.
The mobile phone in his pocket suddenly buzzed, its vibration glaringly loud in the stillness.
He instinctively reached into his pocket, glanced at the screen, and his expression shifted instantly.
The face that had been calm moments before darkened immediately; his brows knitted tightly, and even his eyes turned cold.
"I'm stepping out to take a phone call." He left those words behind, turning away hastily without a single explanation.
The hem of his black suit traced an arc in the air before swiftly disappearing through the doorway.
I stood frozen in place, the train of my wedding dress sweeping the floor, pearls brushing the ground with a faint sound.
The air around seemed to solidify suddenly; the once lively preparation room fell eerily silent.
The guests' whispers grew ever clearer, drifting from the banquet hall, each phrase stabbing my ears like needles.
"What's going on? Why has the groom left?"
"Has something happened? The ceremony is about to begin."
"Could it be that he no longer wishes to marry?"
Those voices were soft, yet every word was unmistakably clear; I clutched the hem of my dress tighter, my nails nearly piercing into my palm.
Ten minutes later, the best man hurried in, sweat beading on his forehead, his hair tousledclearly having run all the way.
He reached me, his steps faltering, eyes shifting restlessly, unable to meet mine.
"Mia, Daniel... he said there was an emergency and that he had to leave first." The best man's voice grew softer and softer, until the last few words were almost inaudible.
He lowered his head, twisting the sleeve of his suit between his fingers, looking utterly lost.
I gripped the bouquet so tightly that my knuckles turned white; the thorns of the roses pricked my palm, sending sharp stings through it, yet I felt no pain.
I stared at the best man, my voice trembling slightly, but I forced myself to remain calm: "An emergency? What could possibly be more important than the wedding today?"
No one answered me.
The best man kept his head bowed, his lips moving slightly, yet no words came out.
The staff around us dared not speak either, each standing motionless, their eyes full of sympathy.
The emcee stood on the stage, holding the schedule. He stepped down and came to my side, his gaze filled with hesitation.
He cleared his throat and asked softly, "Mrs. Green, should the ceremony continue? The guests are all waiting."
I took a deep breath, my chest rising and falling, struggling to suppress the hurt and anger swelling within me.
I forced a smilestiffer than the one in the mirror moments before, yet laced with a hint of defiance: "Keep going, why not continue?"
Each step onto the stage felt as if I were walking on a razor's edge.
The train of my wedding dress dragged behind me like it weighed a thousand pounds, making every step unbearably heavy.
The guests below watched me with eyes full of curiosity, sympathy, and something elsethose looks were like countless needles piercing me, leaving me deeply uncomfortable.
Without the groom, I went through the entire wedding ceremony alone.
As the wedding photos played, the screen showed Daniel Green and me smiling together. In those pictures, we looked so lovingly connected, yet reality was heartbreakingly ironic.
I stood on the stage, watching the images on the screen, my eyes burning, yet I fought to keep my tears at bay.
When it came time to exchange rings, the emcee handed me the ring box. I opened it and took out the ring that Daniel Green was meant to place on my finger, slipping it on myself, slowly and deliberately.
The cold ring slid onto my ring finger, utterly devoid of warmth.
The applause from the audience was sparse and scattered; it felt less like blessings and more like pity. Yet, to me, it was the greatest humiliation.
I stood on the stage, straightening my back, struggling not to appear so disheveled.
After the ceremony ended, I sat alone in the empty lounge.
The lounge still bore the wedding decorations; pink balloons floated against the ceiling, and flowers rested in the corners. Yet, these lively adornments only made the room feel colder.
My mobile phone rang. It was a message from Daniel Green.
I stared at the mobile phone screen, my fingers trembling as I opened the message. It contained only one sentence: "Lydia Xavier isn't feeling well; I have to stay with her."
Lydia Xavierthis name was like a thorn lodged deep within my heart for a long time.
Since we began dating, that name had occasionally slipped from Daniel Green's lips; he always said Lydia was pitiable and needed care.
But I never imagined that on our wedding day, he would abandon me alone for Lydia.
I stared at the screen, and finally, tears fell.
A single tear dropped onto the mobile phone screen, blurring the words and washing away all my hopes.
On the morning of the return visit day, sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, casting a slender beam of light upon the floor.
The air still carried the morning's chill, and the birdsong outside lent everything a serene calm, yet my heart was tangled in confusion.
I had carefully prepared the gifts for my parents in advance: two cashmere scarves, along with the tea my father loved, all arranged in delicate gift boxes and set atop the cabinet by the entryway.
After a thorough check to ensure nothing was left behind, I finally allowed myself a quiet sigh of relief.
Daniel Green sat on the sofa, clutching his mobile phone, his fingers endlessly scrolling the screen, as if absorbed by something unseen.
His brows knit slightly, his expression intent, as though completely unaware of the significance of today.
"Mom and Dad are still waiting for us. Let's leave once we're ready." I picked up the coat and handed it to him; it was the one I had carefully pressed last night, folded neatly.
I held it out to him, hoping he would stand soon.
Daniel raised his head, eyes evasive; his gaze lingered on my face a moment before quickly drifting away, settling once more on the screen of his mobile phone.
He pressed his lips together, his voice faint and unclear: "I... I have something to take care of, you should go home first."
"What is it? Today is the return-to-the-bride's-home ceremony." I furrowed my brows as a wave of unease surged up inside me once more.
The memories of our wedding day still played vividly before my eyesI was genuinely afraid he might abandon me again over something.
I fixed my gaze on him, desperate for a reasonable explanation.
Suddenly, his mobile phone rang, the ringtone piercing the quiet of the room.
The screen flashed the name "Lydia Xavier"those two words stabbed at my eyes like needles, sharp and painful.
Daniel Green did not try to hide from me; he answered the call.
His tone softened all of a sudden, completely unlike the way he had spoken to me moments before: "What's wrong? Don't rush, take your time to speak, I'm coming right away."
After hanging up, he grabbed his coat and hurried toward the doorway, his steps rushed, not even fastening his shoes properly.
"Lydia Xavier is crying in the cemetery. I have to go see." He reached the doorway, then turned back, urgency thick in his voice.
"The cemetery?" I was stunned, the coat in my hand slipping to the floor. Instinctively, I asked, "What is she doing at the cemetery? It's not a special day today."
Daniel Green did not look back, leaving behind only the words, "Don't concern yourself," and the door slammed shut with a heavy bang that made my ears ring.
I stood there, seized by an inexplicable rush of emotion.
I wanted to know what power Lydia Xavier held, that could make Daniel Green abandon me again and again.
I wanted to understand the true nature of their relationship.
I grabbed the car keys, hurried to the doorway, opened the door, and followed Daniel Green's car toward the cemetery.
He drove swiftly; I followed closely, careful not to tail too near, yet afraid to lose him from view.
His car was parked at the cemetery doorway, while I parked mine under the shade of a nearby tree, quietly following him.
The cemetery was silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind; the air carried a faint scent of fresh grass and earth.
From afar, I saw Daniel Green crouched before a tombstone.
Lydia Xavier leaned against him, her shoulders trembling as she wept, utterly heartbroken.
Her hair spilled loosely over her shoulders, appearing fragile and pitiful.
"I miss my parents so much. If they were still here, I'm sure they would have loved you." Lydia Xavier's voice quivered with tears; every word was steeped in sorrow. She clung tightly to Daniel Green's garment, as if it were her only refuge.
Daniel gently patted her back, his touch tender, his voice a softness I had never heard before.
His voice was soft, yet it reached my ears with crystal clarity: "Don't be sad; I will always stand by your side."
"With me here, no one will ever bully you."
I stood behind the tree, the cold wind sending shivers through my whole body.
The autumn breeze carried a biting chill, cutting across my face like blades.
It turns out his tenderness was never meant for me.
We had been together for so long, yet he had never spoken to me in this tone, nor comforted me with such patience.
I don't know how long I stood there, until the sky grew dark.
The street lamps in the cemetery flickered on; their dim yellow light fell upon the tombstones, lending the place an air of profound desolation.
Only after Daniel Green had seen Lydia Xavier off did I slowly emerge from behind the tree.
I approached that tombstone; the photograph showed a middle-aged couplethe man clad in a suit, the woman in a dressboth smiling gently, their faces suffused with kindness.
They must be Lydia Xavier's parents.
Their names and dates of passing were engraved on the tombstone; several years had already passed.
I stood before the tombstone all night, leaving only at dawn.
Dew soaked my clothes, chilling me to the bone, yet the cold in my heart was far more piercing.
I cannot understand why Daniel Green was so kind to Lydia Xavier, so much so that he could ignore my feelings.
When I returned home, Daniel Green was already waiting in the living room.
He sat on the sofa, holding a cigarette, with several spent butts gathering in the ashtray.
When he saw me, his face immediately darkened, his eyes filled with accusation.
"Where were you last night? Why was your mobile phone off?" His voice was loud, laced with anger, as if I were the one at fault.
I looked at him and suddenly found it all laughable.
I hadn't come home all night, yet he didn't ask where I had been or if I was alright; instead, he questioned me first.
I sneered coldly, my tone heavy with sarcasm: "Where did I go? Aren't you already well aware?"
Daniel Green's eyes flickered briefly; he avoided my gaze, his voice growing harsher: "I'm asking you! Have you been following me? Mia Lynn, can you stop being so unreasonable?"
"So what if I did?" I raised my voice, unleashing the grievances and anger that had been building all night at once. "Daniel Green, I am your wife! On the day we should be returning to my family, you abandoned me to be with another woman, and you still think you're in the right? What do you take me for?"
He suddenly stood up, pointing towards the doorway, his face pale as iron: "Stop making trouble! If you don't want to stay, then leave! I don't have time to waste on you!"
I looked at his merciless expression, feeling my heart grow colder with every passing moment.
So, in his heart, I truly was that insignificant.
Silently, I picked up the coat from the floor, folded it carefully, placed it on the sofa, then turned and walked into the bedroom, closing the door behind me.
The moment the door closed, tears finally spilled uncontrollably down her cheeks.
The day Daniel Green brought Lydia Xavier home, a gentle rain was falling from the sky.
The soft drizzle tapped against the windowpane, its gentle pitter-patter cloaking the outside world in a hazy veil.
Lydia wore a white dress, its long hem swaying gently with each step she took.
She held a fruit basket wrapped in pale paper, tied with a pink bow, appearing meticulously delicate.
She stood in the doorway, a faint smile touching her lips, yet her eyes carefully surveyed the housefrom the living room sofa to the wedding dress photograph hanging on the wall, sparing no corner from her scrutiny.
"Mia, I heard you haven't been well, so I specially brought some fruit to see you." Lydia Xavier smiled softly, her voice gentle and polite.
She handed over the fruit basket, her gaze tinged with a subtle, almost imperceptible challenge.
I sat on the sofa, not rising.
I looked at her, fully aware that her visit was insinceremerely a show for Daniel Green's benefit.
I nodded, my tone calm: "How thoughtful of you."
Daniel Green took the fruit basket and set it on the tea table.
He glanced into the fruit basket, then smiled warmly at Lydia Xavier, his eyes full of tenderness: "Lydia specially chose the peaches you love. Later, let the nanny press some peach juice for you to taste."
Lydia sighed suddenly, her gaze settling on me with a hint of sympathy: "Mia, I've always admired you."
The last time Daniel Green was in a car accident, you didn't hesitate to shield himyou were truly brave.
If it were me, I surely couldn't do it.
My hand gripping the cup faltered; the warm water inside wavered, nearly spilling over.
That car accidentit was my doing.
I knew Daniel Green would pass that road that day, and I knew the car would lose control. I deliberately positioned myself in front of him, all so he would feel grateful to me, so I could marry him.
I risked my own life, only to be met with his coldness and neglect.
But it seemed he had long since forgottenforgotten the wounds I endured for him, forgotten the kindness I showed.
"It's all in the past now." I averted her gaze, lifted the cup, and took a sip of water, trying to mask the unease stirring inside me.
Lydia Xavier wouldn't let it go and pressed on, "But Daniel Green keeps saying that if you hadn't been there that day, he might have... He's always been grateful to you, though he's never been good at expressing it." As she spoke, she cast a glance toward Daniel Green, as if hinting at something unsaid.
"Enough," Daniel Green cut her off, but his voice was gentle, lacking any true resistanceinstead, it seemed he was playing along with Lydia Xavier's act.
Lydia bowed her head and murmured, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to mention this."
I just think, Mia, you truly love Daniel Green. He is very lucky to have a wife like you.
The nanny washed the peaches and brought them over, placing them on the tea table.
Each peach was large and red, looking fresh, with droplets of water still clinging to their surface.
Lydia Xavier looked at the peaches, her eyes brightening, then smiled at me, "Mia, I've heard you make excellent peach juice. Could you please press a glass for me? I've always wanted to taste your craft."
I hesitated for a moment. I am allergic to peaches; whenever I come into contact with their juice, my skin breaks out in red rashes and itches terribly.
But as I looked into Daniel Green's expectant eyes, he seemed to so desperately hope I would agree. I did not want to disappoint him, so I nodded quietly: "Alright."
I stepped into the kitchen, opened the drawer, and pulled out a pair of disposable gloves, slipping them on.
The gloves were transparent and clung tightly to my hands.
I placed the peach on the cutting board, carefully sliced it into small pieces with a knife, then placed them into the juicer.
Pressing the switch, the juicer whirred to life; the peach juice flowed out, releasing a sweet, fragrant aroma.
Some juice accidentally splattered into the seams of the gloves and seeped through onto my skin.
My skin immediately broke out in a dense rashitchy and painful.
I fought the itch, turned off the juicer, and poured the peach juice into a glass.
I took a tissue and gently wiped the juice from my hands, but the rash only spread.
As I handed it over, Lydia Xavier immediately took the glass and sipped.
She closed her eyes, a satisfied expression spreading across her face: "This is truly delicious, Mia; your skills are remarkable."
Before long, she suddenly covered her face, coughing loudly, her complexion flushing bright red.
She set the cup down, her hands scrambling frantically over her face, her voice trembling with sobs: "My face itches so much... How could this happen?"
Daniel Green immediately rushed over, steadying Lydia Xavier by the shoulders. Seeing the rash spreading across her face, his expression darkened suddenly.
He turned to me, eyes full of suspicion and anger: "What's going on? Is there something wrong with the peach juice? Did you put something in it?"
I was about to explain that I was allergic too, that Lydia had been careless, but Lydia, weeping, said, "Daniel, don't blame Mia. Maybe I'm just allergicit's not her fault."
Mia is so kind, she would never harm me.
The more she said that, the angrier Daniel became.
He glared at me, his eyes burning with fury: "Mia Lynn! You knew perfectly well that Lydia was allergic, yet you still gave her peach juice! What do you mean by that? Don't you want Lydia to be well?"
"I didn't!" I hurriedly protested, raising my hand covered in red rashes. "I'm the one who's allergic, not her! Look at my handthis happens whenever I touch peach juice!"
Daniel didn't believe me at all; he didn't even glance at my hand.
He lifted Lydia Xavier and hurried toward the doorway, his steps frantic. "Stop pretending! If anything happens to Lydia, I won't forgive you!"
The door closed once again, leaving me alone in the room.
I stared at my hands covered in red rashesthe rash had spread to my wrists, itching and burning painfully.
Slowly, I crouched down and buried my face in my knees, tears falling silently.
Later, because of a severe allergic reaction, my entire body broke out in rashes and I developed a high fever; the nanny took me to the hospital.
The doctor gave me an injection, prescribed some medicine, and said I needed to be hospitalized for a few days of observation.
During those days in the hospital, Daniel Green never once came to see me.
I sent him messages, but he didn't respond; I called him, but he hung up immediately.
The nanny came every day to care for me. Seeing my sorrow, she could only sigh and urge me to let go a little.
Lying on the hospital bed, I stared at the ceiling, my heart barren and desolate.
I truly don't know what I'm still holding on to.
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