Chapter 25
After returning from New York, Victor became depressed, locking himself at home and drinking day and night.
When Emma opened the door, she was hit by the smell of alcohol and took half a step back. After a moment, she pinched her nose and walked
- in.
Victor was sitting on the floor, leaning against the sofa. When he saw someone, a glimmer of hope lit up in his eyes.
But when he saw it was Emma, it quickly faded.
“Victor, stop drinking.”
Emma snatched the bottle from Victor’s hand.
Victor grabbed another bottle and took a big swig.
“What are you doing here?”
Emma kicked Victor and said impatiently, “I’m afraid you’ll drink yourself to death.”
Even so, Emma felt sorry for her brother and made him a bowl of Hangover Tonic.
Victor looked at the offered Hangover Tonic but didn’t take it.
Emma put the bowl on the coffee table. “I got the recipe from Lily.”
Hearing Lily’s name, Victor’s eyes flickered. He picked up the bowl and took a sip.
Chapter 25
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The familiar taste brought tears to his eyes. With the saltiness of his tears, he drank the entire bowl.
“Can you please beg Lily for me? I was wrong, I was really wrong.”
Victor choked out the words, crying.
Emma had told Lily she wouldn’t interfere in her and Victor’s relationship anymore. She was about to refuse.
But seeing Victor so pale, dejected, and shrouded in gloom, she couldn’t bring herself to say no.
Emma sighed. “I’ll find out how Lily feels.”
Emma returned home. Just as she was about to call Lily, she received a call from her.
“Lily, what’s up?”
“Emma, I’m getting married. I want you to be my bridesmaid.”
Back when Lily was pursuing Victor, she told Emma she wanted her to be her bridesmaid when she married Victor.
Now, even though she wasn’t marrying Victor, Emma still remembered the promise.
When Emma heard Lily say she was getting married, she was stunned speechless.
“Emma, Emma.”
Only when Lily called her name over the phone did Emma snap out of it.
“Sure, Lily. I’ll definitely be your bridesmaid.”
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Emma swallowed the words she wanted to say about Victor.
Even though Emma tried to hide it, Lily could still hear something off in her tone.
“Emma, is there something you want to tell me?”
Emma hesitated before asking, “No, nothing. When’s the wedding?”
Emma thought that if Lily was getting married, she must have found someone who truly loved her.
Lily had suffered too much because of her brother. Now that she’d found happiness, as her best friend, Emma should be happy for her.
As for her brother, it was a lesson for him to learn to see people clearly.
When Emma visited Victor again, he immediately asked, “What did Lily say?”
“She’s getting married.”
Emma felt Victor’s ramrod–straight posture suddenly slump before her, as if his spirit had been drained away. The man instantly became a wreck.
“Victor, Lily has moved on. You should too.”
Victor remained silent.
The day before Emma left for New York, Victor found her and handed over a jewelry box. “I carved this comb myself. Give it to her as a wedding gift.”
The unspoken “her” hung heavily between them.
“I’ll pass it along.”
Chapter 25
“Don’t pass it along. Don’t tell her it’s from me.” Victor paused. “If she knows it’s mine, she won’t accept it.”
Emma took the box without another word.
Before the ceremony began, Emma presented the jewelry box to Lily. “Your wedding gift. Wishing you lifelong happiness.”
Lily opened the box, froze at the sight of the handcrafted Artisanal Hair Comb, then pushed it back. “Did Victor send this?”
Emma hadn’t expected her to know.
Years ago when handmade gifts for crushes were trendy, Lily had embroidered a scented pouch and pestered Victor into accepting it. She never dreamed he’d carve her a comb–she’d have been thrilled just to receive a store–bought one. Now this once–coveted gift had ironically landed in her hands on her wedding day.
“I’m married now. It’s not appropriate. Return it to him.” Emma sighed and pocketed the comb.
Later, assisted by Emma, Lily slipped înto her wedding gown. John escorted her toward Benjamin.
“Our Lily’s in your hands now. Treasure her always.“.
Benjamin clasped Lily’s hand, eyes glistening. “I will,”
The ceremony proceeded flawlessly.
“The rings, please.”
As Benjamin kissed Lily, he glimpsed Victor lurking in the farthest corner. Their eyes locked. Benjamin deliberately raised their joined hands toward Victor’s direction.
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Victor tasted bitterness. He turned and walked out of the hall. Some
mistakes cost you everything. He’d lost his chance to walk through life beside Lily.
“Benjamin, were you waving at someone carlier?”
“Just someone unimportant.”
Lily pushed the thought aside. Gazing at her husband, their fingers intertwined before family and friends, she kissed her true happiness.
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