Chapter 4
The room was packed with clothes in every color—all of them brought to life from the sketches she had drawn during those three years in the rented apartment.
It had been one of her few small passions, and he had remembered every detail.
Maria ran her fingers over the fabrics, her heart torn between joy and pain.
How could he be so foolish?
She turned, about to speak, but William cut her off.
“Auntie, take a look.” He gestured casually. “Which one do you think would suit your niece for the wedding?”
“This one, perhaps?”
At his signal, a servant wheeled in an extravagantly ornate white wedding gown.
Maria paled at the familiar sight.
It was the dress she had designed—the one she was meant to wear at her own wedding to William.
“It’s not… appropriate, is it?”
William gave a cold laugh. “Why not? Your niece wearing the wedding dress her aunt designed—you must be overjoyed.”
Forcing a smile, Maria replied, “But the size isn’t right.”
“It can be altered.”
As he spoke, William brought out more items: the groom’s suit, the engagement party attire, sketches for the venue layout, the schedule, even the wedding invitations.
Everything Maria had once designed for their future together now lay spread across the studio floor—every detail she had crafted for the life they were supposed to share.
And now William presented it all to her, asking:
“How would these work for Diane’s and my wedding?”
Watching her expression darken filled him with grim satisfaction.
He even dragged over an old wooden desk, pushing her into the chair before it. Pulling out a blank sheet of drafting paper, he said, “Ah, right—the most important part. You should handle this personally. The wedding rings. Sketch a pair. Consider it your gift to me, your nephew, and your niece.”
He pressed a pen into her hand, his gaze locked on hers.
Maria stared at the desk, her eyes growing red.
It was the same table from the rented apartment.
In one corner, carved faintly: *F & Y forever*.
She hadn’t thought he’d kept it.
And now he wanted her to design his wedding rings on this table, steeped in their shared memories.
The standoff stretched on until the onlookers grew uneasy.
An assistant stepped forward. “Mr. William, perhaps this lady isn’t suited for the task. We could bring in some finished designs for selection.”
William laughed—a sharp, bitter sound. “Ha! Not suited? She’s perfect for it!”
“Let me introduce you all. This is my aunt, Maria. The woman who seduced her own nephew. Not suited? She’s the ideal person! Whether as family or as an ex, giving a wedding gift fits perfectly, doesn’t it?”
Instantly, every eye in the room turned toward her.
Whispers broke out; curious and judgmental stares landed on Maria like stones.
She sat rigid, hands trembling, wishing the floor would swallow her whole.
Seeing her reaction, William plucked the pen from her grip. “Feeling good now? Anything to say?”
Maria managed a strained smile. “Seeing my nephew get married? Of course I’m happy. May you have a long and joyful union.”
“But if you want ring designs—that’ll cost extra.”
The room erupted into murmurs. Fingers pointed; voices rose.
“They said she left for money back then. Looks like it was true.”
“Mr. William is too kind. Why keep someone like her around? If I were him, I’d make that gold-digger pay.”
“You can tell just by looking—trash like her deserves to die.”
William’s temper snapped. “Shut your mouths! Who gave you the right to criticize her? Get out and get back to work!”
Ignoring her resistance, he pulled Maria into a side room.
“You know that’s not what I was asking, Maria. Don’t you understand?” William felt like he was losing his mind. “What really happened back then? I know you’re not that kind of person!”
For a moment, seeing the agony on his face, Maria wanted to tell him everything.
But the taste of blood rising in her throat reminded her—she was dying.
Her fingers clenched until they ached. “Want to know? Pay up. Give me the money, and I’ll talk.”
Her indifference made his blood boil.
His hands shook. “Fine. Money. You want money? I’ll give it to you. Walk from here back to the family villa. Do that, and you’ll get your payment. Otherwise, that little friend of yours—Scott’s family—will be bankrupt by morning.”
Maria stiffened. “You can’t drag innocent people into this!”
Scott was one of her few remaining friends. She couldn’t let him be destroyed because of her.
William let out a bitter laugh.
Why did she care so much about this Scott guy?
“I’m dragging them in. If you don’t want his family ruined, start walking.”
Outside, thunder cracked, and rain began to pour in sheets.
William hesitated, wondering if he should retract the command.
Then he heard Maria say, “Fine. I’ll walk.”
Rage burned through his last shred of reason. “Good. Go on, then! It’s ten kilometers. If you give up halfway, I’ll bankrupt the Carters for sure.”
He hauled her to the entrance and shoved her out into the downpour.
Maria stared at the closed door, a bitter smile touching her lips.
He hated her so much.
The man who once despised using power to coerce others was now threatening her with it.
He must truly loathe her.
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