Chapter 4

"What could I have seen?" I held myself back and looked at him calmly, pretending to be confused. I tried to act like I didn't know anything. Daniel froze for a moment, then patted my head just like he used to do. He said in a soothing tone, "Don't make trouble, Miranda. Didn't we already agree? You'll be my bride on the day of the wedding. Then, there's no way Father could object even if he wanted to." I looked at Daniel and suddenly started laughing. So, people laughed when they were heartbroken. He had discussed all kinds of wedding plans with me countless times, but the only one he ever put into action was the one meant to utterly destroy me. I thought to myself that there was no need for him to go through all that trouble. When that day arrived, I would already be on a plane abroad. Then, we would be on opposite sides of the world, never to meet again. Daniel seemed to think that I was merely sulking. After buying the two wedding dresses, Daniel brought Sheryl and me home. But as they were discussing rings, Sheryl suddenly looked at me. "I heard that Miranda's a designer. Helping us design a pair of rings shouldn't be a problem, right?" I had a competition to prepare for, so I had no time to help them. I was just about to refuse when Daniel cut in, "Actually, Miranda already has a pair of rings designed. She can give them to us as a wedding gift." I trembled as I listened to him. Those rings had been designed for me and him. I had even spent a whole year crafting them by hand. And now, he wanted me to take them out and give them to another woman. "What? Are you not willing to do it? I'll buy it from you, then. How does 20 million sound?" As he spoke, Daniel reached into his pocket for his checkbook. I reached out and stopped him. "No need. I should give you and Sheryl a present on that day anyway. Just treat those rings as the wedding gift." The smile on Daniel's lips suddenly vanished. He said nothing and followed me upstairs to fetch the rings. However, once we entered my room, he suddenly pinned me against the wall. When he kissed me, I bit down hard and split his lip open. The taste of blood spread through my mouth, but he still didn't let go. His hand slipped under my clothes, and I had to use every ounce of strength to shove him away. I turned around to run, but he grabbed me and dragged me back. He hugged me from behind, which had once been our favorite position. "Miranda, why did you agree? You designed those rings for us." His words made me want to laugh. "Isn't this what you wanted, Dan? I'm just fulfilling your wish." I looked at him coldly, not showing a hint of emotion. Daniel stared at me for a long time before pulling me closer again. His voice lowered as he pleaded, "Miranda, I was just angry earlier. I was angry that you gave our rings to someone else." A mocking smile tugged at the corner of my lips. He was the one who wanted to crush my dignity and turn me into a joke. And now, he was performing this act of remorse in front of me. But I no longer wished to play his game. This time, I would walk away. By morning, Daniel was no longer home. When I went downstairs, I found my foster father sitting in the living room. Two identical wedding dresses were displayed in front of him. They were the same ones Daniel had bought yesterday. When my foster father looked at me, his eyes were filled with conflict and pain. After a long silence, he asked hoarsely, "Miranda, can you tell me why your brother bought two identical wedding dresses?"