Chapter 4

Someone nearby snickered.

"Hailey, you're not married yet, are you? Maybe if you dressed up a bit, a man would marry you! When you collect the donation, remember to say you're a single mother-to-be!"

Their words cut deep, each one a slap across my face.

But Asher's silence was louder than any slap.

Nicole yanked me into the dressing room, casually pointing to a dress.

"This one's reserved especially for you, Hailey, two thousand nine hundred. You're not trying to freeload, are you?"

Under her malicious torment.

I slowly pulled out a wad of small bills, tens, fifties, barely enough to make up the amount.

Nicole gasped dramatically, "You didn't actually smash your piggy bank, did you?"

I calmly nodded. "I did."

Asher's face instantly changed.

That piggy bank was something we bought when we first got together.

I told him that once we saved enough money, I'd take him to Switzerland to treat his eyes.

He paused then, a soft laugh escaping him.

"When I can see, I'll take you to the Alps to see your favorite snow."

At the time, I smiled, saying nothing.

Because I knew my life wouldn't last until that day.

I just wanted Asher to regain his sight and watch our child grow up with his own eyes.

But now, only disappointment and lies remained.

Asher tightly gripped my hand, his voice hoarse.

"We're not going to see the snow mountains anymore?"

I laughed casually.

"No, I don't like snow anymore... This winter, it's just too cold."

Asher's expression grew darker.

"Hailey, you're not comfortable. I'll take you to change."

Asher glanced at Nicole, then confidently released my hand.

Watching their silent, synchronized interaction, I finally understood.

That was the impassable divide between us.

As I was changing into the gown, Nicole's voice grew chilling.

"Were the fireworks pretty?"

"It was just a game for my amusement, but you actually went and got pregnant, clinging to my man."

"Do you know how disgusted Asher is by you? He said he pretended to be blind because he couldn't stand the sight of your torn underwear; it made him sick."

Seeing my calm expression, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.

Then she sneered, wiggling the tip of her shoe.

"The necklace you gave him? It wasn't thrown away. It's stuck to the bottom of my shoe."

"Are all you people from the gutter so pathetic? The second you farmer father heard ‘charity,’ he came crawling. So embarrassing."

My mind went numb.

My father had lived with dignity. How dare she insult him so!

By the time I reacted, my hand was already gripping her collar.

"Give me back the necklace... Apologize to my dad!"

She let out a sharp, theatrical cry. Then, with a vicious smile, she swung the entire cash box into my chest.

A searing pain erupted from my chest.

I fell backward, banknotes fluttering like snow.

The door burst open, and gasps of alarm filled the room.

I realized I was half-naked, exposed to countless malicious eyes.

The room erupted in mocking laughter.

"She's all bones. Probably lies there like a dead fish."

Asher's hand shot out, then froze in mid-air.

"Hailey? What happened?" He He began groping blindly, his voice rising in panic.

I laughed, a bitter, desperate sound, tears streaming down my face.

I was laughing at his performance.

He clung to his blind man's costume so fiercely, he let my dignity be torn to shreds at his feet.

Nicole offered a fake apology.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, I forgot to lock the door."

Before her words faded, her foot hooked under the chain of my mother's necklace and kicked it into the fire.

That necklace was my mother's dying gift. Now it vanished into ash.

Something in me detonated. I lunged at her like a mad woman.

But just then, the door crashed open.

A hunched figure stumbled into the chaos.