Marrying the one she loved was undoubtedly a blissful affair, yet she had stolen someone else’s smile and taken the love of another’s heart. The faces around her were all too familiar. Each one had matured from their youthful days, reminding her of every detail from high school. Back then, her eyes only saw the kindness Hayden showed her, never noticing how Susan repeatedly made advances towards him. For instance, after playing basketball, Susan was quicker than Aurora to hand Hayden a towel to wipe his sweat. Or on his birthday, she would be the first to give him the gift he wanted. All of Susan’s attentiveness back then was misinterpreted by Aurora as a close friendship, which was why she was so kind to Hayden.
Aurora didn’t know what they were discussing now, probably some amusing story, as they all laughed uproariously, not noticing Aurora’s approach.
“Susan, I always felt you and Hayden were a better match. Aurora is so clueless. She doesn’t know anything, but look at you, an angel from above,” someone commented.
“Aurora always thought she was a princess, which is so stupid. Who wants to be a princess nowadays?” another added.
“I’m really sorry I’ve made such a bad impression.” Aurora’s voice suddenly rang out, startling everyone as they turned to look at her. She knew these people well. They loved to talk behind others’ backs while pretending to be complimentary to their faces. Aurora always disliked such gossipmongers and realized that even after so many years, they hadn’t changed but had gotten worse.
“Aurora, how… How did you end up here?” Everyone who knew about her past with Hayden was curious. They never expected her to attend today’s engagement party, especially her ex-boyfriend’s. Moreover, the bride-to-be was once her close friend, a situation most would typically avoid, yet Aurora had come!
Looking at her now, they found Aurora appeared completely different from before. Previously, she was as pure and clean as a gardenia. Now she resembled a rose, blooming on its vine, stunning and dangerous with thorns that warned others not to get too close, yet her brilliance was undeniable. Everyone thought she would show up as a loser or a resentful woman, but she had transformed into someone confident and beautiful.
Next to her, Susan in her white dress appeared dull against Aurora’s striking red gown. Aurora’s gaze was much more intense than before.
“Since it’s an old friend’s engagement, naturally, I came to deliver my blessings. After all, Susan was once my best friend. This drink is for you,” Aurora said, raising her glass. The onlookers murmured among themselves, not daring to say much, just watching Aurora and Susan face off.
Susan, forced to present a cheerful facade despite feeling miserable inside, lifted a glass of champagne. “Receiving your blessing really makes me happy,” she said with a practiced smile. Their glasses clinked in the air, both smiling as they drank the champagne. Susan had long been irritated by Aurora’s previous entanglement with Hayden and seized this opportunity to pull Aurora closer. “Aurora, we haven’t seen each other in so long. We really must drink a lot today.”
Regardless of whether Aurora came to provoke today, she was not one to be trifled with. Aurora had always had a low tolerance for alcohol. A single glass of red wine consumed too quickly would intoxicate her. Instead of picking up a champagne flute, she grabbed a glass of red wine from the side, seemingly under the impression that her tolerance for alcohol remained the same as before. Aurora noticed her challenging gaze, knowing what she was up to. One drink would get her drunk, and in her drunkenness, she hoped Aurora would embarrass herself. If that was Susan’s plan, she was bound to be disappointed.
Aurora took the glass. “Of course, I’ve never met such a good friend in my life! I definitely need to drink more today. Here’s to you! Why are you alone?”
Susan smiled radiantly, “Are you looking for Hayden? After all, we are old friends. It should be us toasting to you. Just give us a moment.”
She slowly pulled Hayden over from not far away. Hayden, naturally, did not look pleased and wore a cold expression. “What are you doing now?”
“People are watching us right now. You have to perform well even if you don’t want to!” Susan said coldly.
By now, she was in no mood to chat with Hayden. The relations between the Simmons family and the Alvarez family had been very tense recently.
“What more do you want me to do? We’re engaged as you demanded. What else?”
“Just toast with an old friend. You can’t make me lose face, can you?”
“Just a toast?” Hayden was unaware that Aurora had already arrived. He had been preoccupied with the idea of Aurora bringing her boyfriend today, as she had mentioned last night. He had been looking forward to it for a long time, and since Aurora had not yet arrived, he had been mingling with others.
“Don’t worry. It’s just a toast.” Susan did not tell him who the toast was for. As she walked arm in arm with him, triumphantly heading towards Aurora.
Hayden immediately noticed the woman in red among the group of women. She had never worn this color before. It had to be said, she looked stunning in red, which made her skin appear even more fair. Even before he got close, he could almost smell her unique, alluring scent.
Aurora’s perfume was quite niche, making it very distinctive, and to Hayden, it was enchantingly familiar. His eyes, his heart, at this moment, were filled only with Aurora, as if he had forgotten why he was there.
Aurora saw the proud smile on Susan’s face. If she knew Hayden’s real thoughts, would she still be able to smile so sweetly? If only she had recorded Hayden’s words from last night to play them for Susan, it would be quite amusing. She felt she was becoming increasingly malevolent.
The other classmates also stood by, eager to watch the drama unfold.
Before Susan could speak, Hayden’s steps uncontrollably moved towards Aurora, “Aurora,” he called as tenderly as before.
Looking around her and seeing no other men, he realized she had lied. How could she possibly have a boyfriend, after knowing he was still infatuated with her? Hayden continued to dream, believing he and Aurora could reconcile.
The boyfriend she mentioned was just a lie she had fabricated. Seeing his joyful expression, as if Aurora was the one he was engaged to today, Susan fumed, her face darkened immediately.