Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Time flew by, and Gigi’s birthday arrived.
Wesley threw her a huge party, inviting all their family and friends. The venue shimmered with lights and was filled with flowers. The atmosphere was filled with a romantic, sweet vibe.
Gigi showed up in a gorgeous evening dress, looking as beautiful as a princess. Wesley stayed by her side the whole night, his eyes never leaving her.
As everyone was caught up in the celebration, the doors to the banquet hall slowly opened. Rylan and the Harts had arrived.
The Harts came in carrying thoughtfully picked presents, wearing smiles that were a little awkward but genuinely sincere. Meanwhile, Rylan’s eyes immediately found Gigi, and he froze for a split second without meaning to.
He had been torn about it for ages, hesitating up until the very moment the party began. His longing for her came crashing in like a wave and drowned out all his reason, pushing him to
show up.
But the moment Rylan saw how close Gigi and Wesley were-like they were made for each
other-it knocked the wind out of him.
He felt a throbbing ache rise from deep within, stealing his breath. Still, he clenched his jaw and forced himself to stay composed, pretending like nothing was wrong.
He took a deep breath and slowly made his way toward her.
A mix of emotion flickered in Gigi’s eyes when she spotted Rylan, but she quickly pulled herself together.
She nodded at him out of courtesy, offering a faint, practiced smile that kept things polite but
distant.
Noticing the slight change in Gigi’s demeanor, Wesley followed her gaze and saw Rylan. He casually drew her in a little closer, like a subtle reminder that she was his.
Wesley barely left Gigi alone the whole evening, shielding her from unwanted attention. It wasn’t until he stepped out to grab her coat that Rylan finally had a chance to approach her.
Rylan walked up to Gigi, wishing, “Happy birthday, Gigi.”
His voice wavered just enough to betray the unrest he was trying to hide.
She softly replied, “Thanks.”
It was just a simple reply, but it put up an invisible wall between them.
Chapter 22
2/2
As he was about to hand her the gift, she remarked, “If it’s just a freebie, don’t bother.”
His face drained of color as he recalled that fateful moment a year ago.
The Hart family moved forward with their gifts, but Gigi dismissively said, “You didn’t bother to give me a birthday present for over two decades. Don’t trouble yourselves now.”
That one line tore their hearts open.
Kenny’s eyes welled up. “I know I let you down, Gigi. Can’t you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
The word “forgiveness” lingered in Gigi’s mind as she repeated it to herself.
Over 20 years of being neglected, mistreated, and hurt weighed on her shoulders like a mountain she could never shake off. She could still remember the birthdays they forgot, the
affection Catherine stole, and every moment Kenny made her feel small.
There was no forgiveness. She just wasn’t letting it eat at her anymore.
Everyone was still reeling from the tension when the doors slammed open without warning.
Catherine crashed the scene looking wrecked and disheveled. Her prison clothes were torn, and her face was smeared with filth and exhaustion. But her eyes blazed with madness and a frightening resolve.
With a knife in hand, she screamed at the top of her lungs, “I’ll make you pay, Gigi!”
How did she break out of prison?
