Vouchers
“Rita, I’ll still take you back if you turn around now.”
Rita stood frozen under her umbrella, staring blankly at Sean who’d suddenly appeared in Melbourne. Four years. She never imagined seeing him again.
After all, when she left without a word, she’d never planned on this reunion.
It took Rita a full minute to recover from the shock. “Sean,” she whispered, “I’m married.”
A low scoff cut through the silent night. Sean flicked his cigarette, tone icy. “This husband of yours… him?”
He raised his phone, showing a photo. A woman in mermaid–cut white lace held blush–pink lisianthus, smiling at the tuxedoed man beside her. His arm draped over her shoulder, boyish charm still softening his features before life carved them into maturity.
Alexander. Young Alexander.
Rita stared at that face as if dreaming. Sean’s voice shattered the illusion.
“Alexander Williams. Billionaire heir to the Williams Group. Vanished four years ago during overseas negotiations- sabotage. The family claimed he was recuperating abroad while secretly searching. And recently…”
Sean’s lips curved without warmth. “The eldest Williams son returned ‘recovered,‘ announcing a grand wedding mid- next month for Mrs. Williams.”
“Alexander and his wife aren’t just legally married–they have a five–year–old. Face it, Rita. You’re the one who came later.”
He reached for her wrist. She jerked back. His eyes turned arctic. “Still clinging to hope? Fine. Let’s see how long this
love lasts.”
Sean would show her Alexander’s truth. He dragged her back to America, ignoring her protests, straight into a Williams–hosted birthday gala.
She knew. Today was Alexander’s birthday. They’d always celebrated together. She’d bought his gift a month ago.
Now, hidden in shadows, she watched the man who’d texted about a “business trip in New Zealand.” She saw him tap rapidly on his phone.
Her own device buzzed.
Honey, project emergency. Can’t make it back tonight. Working late to catch the first flight tomorrow. Don’t wait up. Birthdays can wait.
Rita stared until her eyes burned. Ballroom lights dimmed, leaving one spotlight on the stage’s trio. Alexander cradled
0.0 %
00:59
Chapter 1
288 Vouchers
a rosy–cheeked little girl begging for cake.
“Patience, sweetheart,” Rita laughed, glancing up at Alexander. “Let Daddy make a wish first.”
“No need.” Alexander chuckled, gaze shifting from the girl’s sparkling eyes to Rita’s crescent–moon smile. “Already made wish. Right here.”
my
The elderly Williamses watched the family of three before them with gratified smiles.
In the shadowed corner, Rita clenched her fingers so tightly her nails bit into her palms.
Rita lowered her gaze with a soft laugh. When she looked up, her eyes locked directly with Rita’s in the corner.
Her smile froze for an instant before she turned away casually, smoothing Alexander’s tie. Her voice softened: “Alexander, little dumpling has become so much brighter since you returned. Blood truly is thicker than water.”
Sensing something, Alexander instinctively followed her line of sight.
His smiling expression darkened abruptly when he recognized Rita’s face, disbelief flashing across his features.
Noticing his shift in mood, the elder Williamses glanced back. Their eyes swept over Rita like skimming thin ice.
They turned to whisper to their trusted aide: “Since when did Williams–hosted galas admit every stray cat and dog?
Have her removed discreetly. Ensure no disturbance to guests.”
Soon, two waiters flanked Rita, gripping her arms.
Their hold bit into her flesh.
She struggled instinctively, only to be clamped tighter.
Alexander set down the little girl in his arms and moved forward, but Rita caught his sleeve pleadingly: “Alexander, don’t make a scene. Please don’t embarrass me.”
His lips pressed into a thin line. He remained rooted.
Watching him, Rita dropped her head with a bitter smile.
Clutching the kraft paper bag awkwardly, she yielded–just as the rosy–cheeked girl darted before her and spat.
“Scram, witch! Stop clinging to my daddy!”
Shoved violently off–balance, Rita stumbled backward.
Her heel caught the long gown’s hem. A strap snapped audibly beside her ear.
Before she could react, her bodice gaped open, exposing her.
Gasps erupted, followed by mocking whispers: “Seriously?
Williams‘ overseas fling?”
33.0%
01:00
Chapter 1
“Bold enough to confront the wife? Another delusional climber?”
“Trashy spectacle. All it takes is shameless audacity.”
“Can’t deny Williams‘ loyalty though–even his mistress resembles Mrs. Williams.”
Ignoring the table–corner bruise on her waist and the vulgar taunts, Rita crossed her arms tightly over her chest.
Then the towering champagne pyramid crashed down. Amber liquid and shattered glass cascaded over her.
288 Vouchers
Rita collapsed onto the debris–strewn carpet, hair ornament askew. Damp strands clung to her cheeks like veins of gold.
Silence descended. Dozens of spotlights pinned her.
Scrambling to rise, her palm plunged into sticky champagne. Glass shards sliced her skin, blood seeping through.
She recoiled, wine soaking her gown. Stains bled across the polished floor in uneven patterns.
Alexander shoved Rita aside, stepping forward.
A retching sound shattered the stillness.
Rita crouched low, hands clamped over her mouth, face ghostly pale.
Whispers suddenly rippled through the crowd.
“Is Mrs. Williams pregnant again?”
Alexander froze for a split second before decisively turning and scooping up Rita, who was crouched on the floor. He strode briskly toward the lounge.
Rita pressed a hand hard against her throbbing heart, scrambling to her feet in disarray.
The moment she turned away, tears finally broke free like a dam.
Torrential rain lashed outside, yet she plunged into the downpour without hesitation.
No umbrella. No running. Just slow, deliberate steps through the deluge.
Someone hurried past under an umbrella, muttering, “Why isn’t that girl seeking shelter?” But Rita heard nothing- only the rain’s relentless roar in her ears, like someone crying and laughing at once.
A puddle reflected her wretched silhouette: hair plastered to her forehead, eyes frighteningly red.
She kicked a pebble by the roadside. It sent up a spray of droplets, quickly swallowed by fresh rain–much like the hollow in her heart that refused to be filled.
After an eternity, Rita walked into a convenience store. Borrowing the clerk’s phone, she dialed a memorized number.
“I need you to fake a car accident where I plunge into the sea. This time, Rita Hall vanishes completely. Make sure no
65.7 %
01:00
Chapter 1
one can ever find me.”
99.6 %
