"Here, are you satisfied now? These are all the properties your mother brought in when she got married."
A stack of papers hit Leah's chest with a sharp smack before slipping down and scattering on the floor. Her hazel eyes lingered on them for a moment, then she silently crouched to gather them up. As her fingers traced across the notarized stamps, she confirmed their authenticity.
Without a word, Leah moved toward the boxes stacked in the corner, filled with her mother's jewelry and belongings. She carefully counted each item until her gaze darkened. A faint crease appeared between her brows.
"The ruby necklace," Leah murmured.
Her father, Miles Xu's, face hardened, and irritation etched deeply across his features. His voice cut through the air, filled with sharp hostility.
"What ruby necklace!? Now pack up. They will arrive in an hour!"
A beautiful woman in her forties came over and clutched Miles' hand with practiced intimacy, leaning close to him. There was a smiling twinkle in her eyes from the victory.
Her voice was both coaxing and rebuking. "I know you don't want to get married, but there is no use postponing. No matter how you look at it, you're marrying above your status."
This time, with more conviction present in her tone, Leah voiced out, "That's my marriage gift. I can't get married without it."
Leah recalled when she was ten years old, her mother's frail hands held out a delicate and intricate ruby pendant. Although her appearance was pale and sickly, hope and joy could be seen in her hazel eyes.
"This is for my precious Leah when she gets married," said her mother.
Ruby was her birthstone, and her mother believed the pendant would bring her luck, brightening up the road in front of her.
She placed all her expectations on the beautiful pendant, hoping it would play the role she couldn't.
Miles pressed his forehead and said, "What about this? You get married now, and I will find it for you later and send it to you."
Liar.
Leah knew she couldn't trust his words.
Doubts were clearly reflected in her eyes.
"You!" exclaimed Miles, raising his hand and about to strike Leah.
But Leah didn't flinch. She brushed past him, ascending the stairs with calm defiance, before heading towards a room.
Only then did the couple realized Leah headed towards their room and rushed after her.
"Hey! Leah, what are you doing!?" Jenny exclaimed.
Leah ignored her call and opened the closet in front of her, stepping in further. Her eyes fell on the velvet casing, identifying it as hers.
As Leah reached out to grab it, Jenny grabbed her wrist harshly— her nails digging into her skin.
"What are you doing?!" yelled Jenny.
The next instant a slap implanted against her cheek harshly, causing her head to tilt sideways. The impact led tears to well up in her eyes.
An angry, seething Miles stood in front of her, about to hit her again for her insolent behavior.
Leah opened the jewelry case in front of her, displaying the ruby pendant. Then, she voiced out, "Mine."
Miles wasn't able to hold back his rage, about to lash out once again when a girl stepped into the room and said, "What are you still doing here? They called me and said they will be here in less than half an hour."
Then, her eyes fell on Leah. Staring at her dirty sneakers, coupled with her worn out jeans and shirt, disdain crossed through her eyes. Leah's hair was pulled into a rough ponytail— few of the stray strands messily scattered on her forehead.
Contrary to her, Arianna was dressed in her brand names from head to toe, establishing her status as Xu Family's daughter.
The trendy caramel colored hair fell in waves, landing on her shoulders, and the bangs gently framed her face. Her freshly manicured nails made Leah's chipped ones seem embarrassing.
"At least try to make her look half decent," Arianna mockingly commented, "she is carrying our face after all."
Following that, Leah was pushed into a room with the makeup artists. After they worked on her face, they placed her in a simple white dress.
Staring at herself in the mirror, Leah thought this was the most decent dress she had worn in a long time. The ruby pendant at the centre stood out.
Leah grabbed on to the pendant and smiled softly.
"Mom, I am finally out of the family," Leah muttered.
Whispers of the gossips made by the servants outside her room reached into her ear.
"No matter what, she is pitiful."
"Yeah, she is getting married to a perverted madman. I don't know if she will be making out of it alive."
"The way she agreed to it— that fool must not be aware what she is getting into."
"A fool and a pervert."
A fool and a pervert.
Leah smiled and comforted herself. "It will be all fine."
The car from Zhen Family arrived soon. Leah was rushed downstairs before being shoved into the car. No words of concern or warmth was given by her family.
Leah didn't mind, used to it.
After arriving in front of the marriage registration office, the driver stepped out and talked on the phone few times. As he leaned against the car, frustration was written over her face.
Leah silently watched.
After a couple of minutes of waiting, the door to her side opened, and the driver smiled at her in apology, saying, "Young Madam, Young Master has been caught up in traffic. Since the registration office will be closing up in a while, why don't you to finish the process? All the necessary arrangements had been done alone."
Leah wasn't deaf.
From the conversation that leaked in, she understood her future husband was dissatisfied with the marriage and showed his attitude by not showing up.
A hint of disappointment crossed through Leah.
Having their marriage exchanged from the top socialite in the country to someone who was notorious as a fool— anyone would be mad.
However, Leah did wish this marriage started on a good note.
Nonetheless, no voice of complaint was raised by her when she stepped out the car and went in alone to register the marriage.
The sights of all the loving couple standing outside the building, holding each others' hand while sharing affection, brought a sense of envy within Leah.
°°°
Leah understood after today, in addition to fool, another title would cling to her name.
The abandoned bride.
Standing at the altar by herself against the elegant and lavish backdrop of flowers and silks attracted attention and gossips from all side. Although they pinned her as the pitiful bride, they shared half-hidden laughters and malicious delight about her misery on the inside.
For these people, it was another source of amusement.
Her father's face was dark, burning with humiliation as though she had orchestrated this disgrace. His lips pressed into a thin line, and his sharp eyes silently condemned her for bringing shame upon the Xu family. Jenny had triumphant smiles all over her face, and as for Arianna, she disdained to show up here.
With her head down, Leah played with her finger, silently praying for the time to pass by.
She lost count of how many hours had passed.
Initially, the conversations went on about how pathetic she was and her time in the Zhen Family wouldn't be easy. But then, she became a forgotten topic at the back of their head and everyone went on about their day.
By that time, Leah sat on one corner in the room, playing with the pastry in her hand. Her dull face didn't let out any thoughts.
Soon enough, it was time for everyone to leave. The excitement was over. Leah was guided over to her wedding room.
Looking at the room decorated in room, Leah paused for a second.
Was this the room she was going to be staying in from now on?
Although the cold room did not have a hint of warmth, a small smile played on the corner of her lips. The soft refreshing floral scent in the air, the spacious area, and the clean surroundings— at least she had a decent room to stay in.
No longer would she have to be envious of Arianna's room.
Leah curiously made her way over to the bed and pressed on it. Her hazel eyes widened in surprise, sparkling when she realized how soft and bouncy it was. This was unlike the hard mattress she had gotten used to.
This was going to be comfortable to sleep in.
She was about to sit on it when the door was slammed open.
All alert, she turned back.
A man with red eyes stared at her intensely.
"Wife!" he exclaimed.