Chapter 3

Dad saw the look on Brandon's face and rushed to smooth things over. "Brandon, he's just a kid. He talks without thinking. Don't take it to heart. About the land, we really do have trouble with it. I hope you can understand." "Fine." Brandon did not argue. He stood up and went off to greet other guests. It was the Ford family's wedding day, and as their loyal henchman, he was practically half a host himself. The wedding started soon after. When I saw Alana in a white gown walking up the aisle with Johnny, something inside me twisted. Three years had passed. She had lost all traces of girlishness. She had grown into a stunning woman. On her way up to the stage, she accidentally met my eyes once. It lasted less than a second before we both looked away just as quickly. She didn't smile once throughout the entire ceremony. It was obvious that she wasn't happy. However, it had nothing to do with me. If she was unhappy, it was probably because deep down she knew her life was never meant to turn out like this. After the ceremony, the Jeffers and Ford families brought the newlyweds around for toasts, table by table. Eventually, they made their way to ours. "Wishing you both a happy marriage!" "Congratulations!" Everyone stood up with their glasses, throwing out polite greetings. I also stood up, but I didn't say anything. I didn't even dare look in Freddy and Alana's direction. Freddy clinked glasses with the others. Then, he suddenly called out my name. "Luca, have a drink with me." He held up his glass, looking straight at me. I didn't expect him to single me out. I didn't know if he or Alana felt awkward, but I sure as hell did. My heart was pounding. Still, I forced a stiff smile and raised my glass. "Congratulations." Alana, who mostly wore a blank expression all day, nodded lightly. "Thanks." I raised the glass and was ready to down it all. And just as it touched my lips, Freddy suddenly turned and slapped Alana across the face. The entire banquet hall fell silent. Every head snapped toward us. A bright-red handprint had already bloomed across her face. Her eyes turned glossy with tears, but she didn't say a word. She didn't even dare breathe too loudly. Freddy exploded. "Alana, what the hell's with you today? We got married. Can't you even pretend to be happy? "You've been pulling a long face all day, like someone died! Just now, you didn't smile at my relatives. That's fine, but now you're still acting like this in front of Luca? "He did three years in prison because of you, and you can't even smile for him?" My scalp went numb. In an instant, I was dragged back to that day three years ago—the graduation party, her helpless struggle, Freddy's drunken aggression, and my blind, reckless charge that ended with a compass spike burying itself in his eye. Now, on their wedding day, the same nightmare was repeating itself. Since my return, the Ford family hadn't caused me any trouble. Freddy himself had even spoken to me politely, as if he had long let go of the past. Back then, I stupidly thought maybe they had come to terms with it and that perhaps an eye was a small price for the wealth they now enjoyed. However, watching Freddy lose control like this, I finally understood that his hatred for me had never dissipated. "Freddy! What are you doing?" Jeremy rushed over and kicked him. Freddy could afford to lose himself in hatred, but Jeremy could not. The Ford family cared about appearances. Throughout the whole scene, Alana's parents watched their daughter get slapped without showing the slightest reaction. And Alana, like a puppet with its strings cut, didn't dare say a single word. I was certain this wasn't the first time she had been hit. Before this, Freddy had probably laid hands on her right in front of her parents, and definitely more than once. I barely ate anything after that, but I did drink a lot. When the banquet wound down, most villagers stayed to play cards, smoke, drink, and chat. Dad and I slipped out early. On the walk home, he didn't scold me or say much at all. He only reminded me again to keep my distance from Alana and to never provoke the Ford family. The incident at the wedding passed without further fallout. Over the next few days, I strictly followed Dad's warning and stayed as far from the Fords as possible. If I spotted them from afar, I would immediately take another path. I thought that as long as I kept quiet and stayed out of their way, we could coexist in peace. However, I was wrong. Some disasters didn't wait for you to step on them. They would come looking for you. That afternoon, a short summer storm rolled in from the east. After the rain, the air became cool and fresh, so I went up the mountain for a walk. When I was heading back, I happened to see Freddy driving in from outside. It was a black Honda. In those days, being able to drive a sedan like that meant one had real money and status. To avoid running into him, I deliberately slowed my pace and waited until his car passed along the road ahead before I continued walking. However, just as I reached the roadside, the car suddenly stopped less than 21 yards ahead. I heard muffled arguing from inside. A second later, the door flew open, and Alana was kicked out of the car with a scream. The Honda sped off, leaving behind nothing but dust and Alana crouching by the road, sobbing. I couldn't even describe what I was feeling. For a moment, I wanted to walk over and ask if she was alright. In the end, reason crushed whatever impulse I had. I pretended I hadn't seen anything and turned to leave. Then, I heard her voice behind me. "Luca." I hadn't expected her to call my name. When I stopped and looked back, she was already limping toward me. She looked awful. There was mud all over her clothes and in her hair. There were also bruises at the corner of her mouth and a smear of dried blood. "Are you okay?" I finally couldn't help asking. "I'm fine." She pushed her messy hair back and forced a stiff smile. "Freddy is just an animal." She seemed to want to vent to me, but I didn't know what to say in return. Watching someone I had liked since childhood end up like this made something twist uncomfortably in my chest. But what could I possibly do? "Why did he hit you?" I asked. "He doesn't need a reason." There was nothing but bitterness in Alana's voice. She tried brushing the mud off her clothes, but that kind of filth wasn't going anywhere. "There's a pond over there. Go wash up," I said, pointing ahead. "Okay." She limped toward the water, and I followed behind. When she reached the pond, the first thing she did was take off her heels. "Hold these for me." "Okay." I took the shoes without thinking. My heart was pounding. Then, she sat at the water's edge and began taking off her stockings. I panicked and immediately turned around. Behind me, Alana let out a soft laugh, like she was amused by how easily flustered I was. She washed the mud off her legs and clothes while I stood there frozen like some wooden doll, barely daring to breathe. I had no idea how long I had been standing there, but eventually she finished washing up, got to her feet, and limped toward me. I was just about to turn around and hand her the high heels I had been holding when, in that split second, she suddenly threw herself into my arms. "Luca, hold me."