Chapter 5 - The Velvet Pillow
Valeria flinched as if the boy's words had landed like a physical blow.
She looked down at her feet, seeing the flattened red petals stuck to the white silk hem of her dress.
"Julian, please..." she whispered, her voice cracking as tears finally broke through her mascara.
"Tell them it's a joke. Please."
Julian didn't answer her.
He turned toward his mother, gently taking the crushed bouquet of red roses from her shaking hands.
He handed the bouquet to little Leo, who cradled it against his chest like a precious toy.
Then, Julian reached out and unlatched the silver watch from his wrist—the one Valeria’s father had given him as a rehearsal gift.
He dropped the heavy watch onto the velvet ring pillow in Leo’s hands.
THUD.
The small metallic sound was final.
"Keep the ring," Julian said quietly, looking Valeria straight in her tear-stained eyes.
"And keep the dress. You paid for it with your own skin."
May you like
He turned his back on her, his arm locked securely around his mother's waist as he began walking away from the altar.
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