The guests at the banquet were a gathering of wealthy families. Given how rare genuine emotions seemed in their circles, they were easily moved by such gestures of sincerity.
Sacred Church was perched on the highest mountain in the region. Even taking the cable car halfway up and climbing the rest could leave most people exhausted.
However, Julianne had supposedly climbed the entire way just for Grandma. They couldn’t help wondering how devoted and virtuous she must be, considering she and Grandma weren’t blood–related.
Before long, the chatter shifted entirely to Julianne’s praises, with some even implying Grandma didn’t recognize true devotion.
People started murmuring about how her real granddaughter wouldn’t go to such lengths, yet here was Julianne, an adopted one, showing such heartfelt care.
It didn’t matter that Irvin hadn’t technically arrived with Julianne; even if he had, so what? Couldn’t two people truly in love show up together?
In this world, if a person stood high enough with power and influence, anything they did was considered right. Even infidelity wasn’t immoral but the reunion of star–crossed lovers.
Grandma’s face grew gloomier as she listened. She knew exactly what kind of person Julianne was and that there was no way the latter had gone to the church out of genuine concern.
But the fact remained that Julianne had gone and had gotten hurt in the process.
To outsiders, her actions appeared sincere and selfless. Refusing to accept her gesture would only make Grandma look ungrateful and harsh.
Since Julianne had joined our family, I’d experienced countless moments like this where there was no way to refute or fight back. I understood exactly how Grandma fel
Julianne had a talent for putting people in these no–win situations–something I could never match.
“Grandma, this is the rosary I got for you.” Julianne held the rosary in both hands, presenting it as though it were the most precious gift. “I wish you a long life full of happiness.”
Her delicate, innocent appearance naturally made people think of her as a kind and gentle soul. With her sincerity on full display, the onlookers only grew more convinced of her kindness.
Grandma stared at the rosary Julianne held out, and her expression only stiffened further. She didn’t want to accept it but felt she had no choice.
Smiling, I stepped forward and took the rosary on Grandma’s behalf. I said, “Julianne, how thoughtful of you. Look, Grandma is so moved she’s speechless.”
“But honestly,” I continued, “you know how everyone’s been gossiping about you and Irvin, calling you two star–crossed lovers. We have many helpers at home. Why didn’t you let one of them help you inside?
+25 BONUS
Chapter 12
“Instead, you had Irvin assist you. Let’s be honest, Julianne. Who here wouldn’t misunderstand that? You can’t blame Grandma for jumping to conclusions.”
Some things weren’t appropriate for Grandma to say, but as the legitimate yet much- maligned wife, I had no such restrictions.
1
Julianne froze, clearly not expecting me to respond to her intimate appearance with Irvin in such a composed, direct manner.
No tears, no breakdowns, no losing control–just a calculated counter.
wold
After Irvin left the other day, I had done a deep clean of the house and stumbled upon my old journal. It was filled with entries about my emotional breakdowns and anguish after Julianne returned to our lives.
Nonetheless, Julianne was quick to recover. Her eyes turned red as she apologized meekly, I’m sorry, Millie. I didn’t think that far ahead. I was only focused on delivering the rosary Grandma as soon as possible and offering her my sincerest wishes.”
to
The added tears in her eyes made her seem even more pitiful, drawing sympathetic glances from the crowd.
Irvin’s face darkened even more. His voice was sharp as he scolded me, “Emilia, how many times do I have to tell you? There’s nothing between Lianne and me! We grew up together. What’s wrong with me helping her when she’s hurt? Why do you always think so lowly of people?”
He was so self–righteous, just like I’d written in my journal. Every time he defended Julianne, he would speak to me with the same righteous indignation and insist that there was nothing improper between them.
They were innocent, he’d say. There was no way they’d ever be together. He‘ stop overthinking things and stop seeing filth in what was pure.
But was I really the one with a dirty mind?
While Irvin had never shown me tenderness, he was endlessly kind to Julianne. He had never smiled at me, yet his smiles for Julianne were genuine and warm.
Time after time, he chose her over me. He’d constantly abandoned me for her, be it on our wedding anniversaries, my birthdays, Valentine’s Days, or even when I was sick.
The woman I’d been in those journal entries couldn’t understand. How could he act this way? How could he do everything lovers do with Julianne while standing so firmly in denial?
He called me petty and cruel. He accused me of being jealous and intolerant for not being able to accept Julianne as a sister.
But if this wasn’t love, then what was?
