Aurora received the invitation, which was exquisitely designed, featuring a man and a woman embraced, surrounded by a rose pattern that intertwined their names. As she looked at the invitation, it reminded her of many years ago when her design talents had begun to emerge.
One afternoon, the cicadas buzzed ceaselessly in the trees. While sitting on the edge of the seat, a gentle breeze lifted Aurora’s delicate bangs. She was sketching and writing with a pencil when Hayden suddenly appeared behind her, asking, “What are you drawing?”
“You scared me!”
Aurora quickly covered her drawing. After a playful struggle, Hayden caught a glimpse of her artwork-a cover of an invitation with a man and a woman happily embracing, above which the initials A&H were playfully intertwined. Hayden laughed, “Ah, so you’re already designing our wedding invitation?”
“Who said it’s a wedding invitation? I was just doodling, give it back to me.”
“One day, I’ll use this as my wedding invitation.”
Their laughter from that time still echoed in her ears. Now, looking at the familiar invitation, everything was similar to her design back then, except Aurora’s name had been replaced with Susan.
Aurora composed herself.
“Congratulations, I will definitely attend to celebrate.”
Susan had hoped to provoke her with the invitation, but did not receive the reaction she expected. There was no sorrow in Aurora’s eyes, just a fleeting complexity.
Aurora sighed at the passage of time-how things change. The man she once thought she would spend her life with now stood beside another woman. And she had slowly erased his image from her heart, replacing it with another; perhaps time was indeed the best healer of heartache.
“If I could have your blessing, I would be so happy. Make sure you come, I’ve even prepared your bridesmaid dress,” Susan added, shocking both Aurora and Hayden.
“Bridesmaid?”
Aurora didn’t remember being that close to Susan, close enough to be her bridesmaid.
Hayden’s face turned ashen. Didn’t he know what Susan was thinking? It was just another way to make Aurora uncomfortable.
If Aurora refused, it would prove that she was indeed hurt and afraid, allowing Susan to win.
If she accepted, she would have to witness her own heartache at Susan’s wedding. How could Susan be so cruel?
“Aurora, we were best friends in high school. You wouldn’t say no to this request, right? We had promised to be each other’s bridesmaids no matter what happened, haven’t you forgotten? It’s my fault. I’ve already told our friends, and they’re all excited to see you as my bridesmaid. I’ve even prepared your dress,” Susan said, fearing Aurora’s refusal and using their friends as leverage. Aurora knew exactly what Susan was up to.
She miscalculated one thing; Aurora no longer had feelings for Hayden. What was there to fear?
“Bridesmaid? Sure, I’ve never been one before. Susan, you really are thoughtful, even preparing the dress for me.”
“Aurora, don’t listen to her nonsense. I’ve already chosen my cousin as the bridesmaid,” Hayden interjected, worried Aurora might be embarrassed.
“What do you mean by that, Hayden? Aurora herself agreed, didn’t she Aurora?”
“Of course,” Aurora replied with a smile, “It’s just being a bridesmaid. I’ve attended many weddings but have never been a bridesmaid. However, I have one condition.”
Susan didn’t expect her to agree so quickly, but she had to maintain appearances.
“What condition?”
she asked.
“I’ll be a bridesmaid, but I want Julian to be the groomsman,” Aurora stated, not one to be underestimated. Since Susan wanted to play this game, she’d play along.
“No problem. Then let Uncle Julian be the groomsman,” Susan said, only wanting to irritate Aurora without caring about the appropriateness.
“That’s ridiculous!”
Hayden disagreed vehemently.
“Since when does an uncle serve as a groomsman to his nephew?”
“That has never happened before, but it will now,” Julian suddenly appeared, embracing Aurora.
“It’s settled then; Aurora will be the bridesmaid, and I’ll be the groomsman.”
“Uncle Julian is indeed agreeable,” Susan smirked victoriously. She was curious to see how much Aurora could take. It had only been three years; how could she possibly have forgotten that person in her heart?
“Then we’ll be going ahead,” Aurora said, taking Julian’s arm and walking away.
Hayden watched the couple, looking like celestial beings together, with mixed feelings.
“Have you ever been a groomsman before?”
Aurora asked softly.
“Never, this is my first time,” Julian laughed.
“That’s perfect. I’ve never been a bridesmaid either; it must be fun,” Aurora was unaffected by the situation.
The two walked away, leaving Hayden to down a glass of red wine. By some twist of fate, she and Julian had come together, yet she had lost him.
“Stop looking; they’re far away now!”
Susan’s expression changed, and she took Hayden to the other side.
“Laugh now, let’s see if you can still laugh tomorrow!”
Aurora picked up a glass of champagne, her gaze landing on someone unexpected.
“Julian, I’ll go over there first.”
“Okay,” Julian released her waist.
Aurora confronted Alison, dressed in an evening gown.
“Are you insane? How can you be here?”
Today, Kimberly was also present; if Kimberly saw her, it would surely cause a scandal!
Alison smiled, “Miss Montgomery, I came with a companion.”
She pointed to a middle-aged man nearby, someone Aurora recognized as an executive from a company.
“Do you want to be humiliated if Kimberly sees you?”
Aurora had a bad feeling. Alison’s vengeful spirit was strong.
Normally, her vengeful acts were bearable, but Aurora did not want to ruin her grandfather’s birthday party, so she planned to refrain from doing anything today.
“Aurora, I already sent you the video. Now, you expose Genevieve’s true face. With so many guests here, the effect will be great!”
Alison indeed had this in mind.
“You’re crazy, what about my father’s reputation? Today is also my grandfather’s birthday.”
“This matter will come out sooner or later. It’s better to reveal it sooner than later. If you don’t expose it today, I don’t mind doing it myself,” Alison was nearly driven mad by her own schemes.
If the video of Paul and Genevieve came out, what would the formidable Kimberly look like? That must be quite a sight.