The demand itself was humiliating, yet I had no choice; my mother’s life was still in Cedric’s hands.
Under countless eyes filled with mockery, scorn, and whispers calling me a cuckold, I removed the suit piece by piece.
“He’s really useless, a shame to men.”
“Trash, can’t live without a woman, huh?”
Those words rang in my ears, leaving my heart heavy and weak.
Lavinia once saved my mother’s life, and I swore I would marry only her. I waited for her, even when she abandoned our weddings again and again. But this time, I would not wait any longer.
She bent down to pick up the suit from the ground, guilt clouding her face.
“Phineas, don’t worry. Once I calm Cedric down, we’ll hold the wedding again.”
“Just bear with it this time. You know, when he falls ill, he’s like a child. Let’s treat today’s wedding as nothing but a farce.”
My mother looked at me with endless sorrow. The knife against her neck cut into her skin, leaving a thin line of blood.
“Phineas, don’t take off anymore…”
I pulled off my pants and threw them at Lavinia. “Is that enough?”
I said this while staring at Cedric, who looked back at me with eyes clear as if he were sane, a faint smile on his lips.