My heart sank in disappointment, and the pain gradually took hold of me. Aiden was stunned. He glanced at Sofia.
“I only found out a few days ago that Sofia couldn’t bear to see me choose between her and you. She was pregnant with my child when she left.
“Later, she lost the baby, and she has suffered a lot during those years.
“She doesn’t have much time left to live now, and her last wish is to have a home of her own. You lost your parents when you were young, so you should know how painful it is for her.” Aiden looked back at Sofia, his eyes full of guilt and pity.
“Do I deserve to be betrayed just because I love him? Do I have to give up on Aiden just because Sofia is dying?” I wondered.
I felt like I was immersed in an icy sea, which made me want to curl up and hug myself.
“Aiden, have you ever thought about how people would think about me when they saw me being ditched at the engagement altar? Have you ever thought that it was you who made me a third wheel? What would that make Grandpa feel?”
Aiden was taken aback and then asked me nervously, “Grandpa isn’t angry, is he? Please put in a good word for me. I’ll apologize to him in person some other day.”
“You have no chance now.”
I walked past him and headed into the bedroom to pack my things.
Sofia, who had been remaining silent, came forward, grabbed my sleeve, and looked at me pleadingly. “Amelia, I never thought of competing with you for anything. It’s just that I’m dying. I don’t want to have any regrets after I’m gone. I really love Aiden. With him accompanying me through my final journey, I can face the end with my eyes closed in peace. Amelia, I’m sorry! Can you please not be mad at Aiden?”
Sofia looked pale, but her eyes revealed a hidden sense of pride and determination.
I shook her off.
“Sofia, you don’t have to put on an act of pity for me. I didn’t cause your illness, and I am not your mother. I don’t owe you any tolerance. Your attempts at moral manipulation doesn’t work on me.”
Her eyes filled with tears suddenly as she lowered her head, looking remorseful.
“Amelia, are you blaming me? How could you say that about me? Didn’t you use Aiden’s grandfather as emotional leverage to manipulate him into marrying you?”
She leaned towards me imperceptibly and lowered her voice, making it audible only to the two of us. “So, why are you being pretentious now?”
“You can insult me and hurt my feelings, but you can’t slander my grandfather. I won’t allow that!” I thought.
“Bang!”
I slapped Sofia in the face before I could realize it.
Aiden stepped forward, stood in front of Sofia, and pushed me hard.
“Amelia Harris, what are you doing?!”