That apartment represented a million dollars—the total liquidation of assets from three generations of my family. And they handed it over to outsiders with zero blood relation? No matter how I tried to rationalize their "selflessness," the math didn't add up.
My father's face turned a violent shade of red. Humiliated, he lashed out.
*Smack!*
The sharp crack of his palm against my cheek silenced our table. My skin burned. The sting radiated across my jaw.
"I'm not dead yet, and you dare speak to me like this?" he roared.
I looked at his ferocious expression, and a strange urge to laugh bubbled up in my chest. It was a hollow, self-mocking sound. Being born into this family was nothing short of a tragedy.
My mother looked at me with disappointment. "Even if you're upset, you have to pick the right occasion. Making a scene on such a happy day... people will think you're immature."
*Immature.* Right.
I nodded slowly. Picked up a wine glass from the table. Turned to the happy couple, Alex and Maya.
"I wish you a long life together." My smile didn't reach my eyes. "May you be of one heart, forever."
I drained the glass in one gulp, turned on my heel, and walked out of the hotel.