Her Story: Rise Of Tiffany

Melody gritted her teeth, fuming with anger.

Today was supposed to be her engagement party, a lively event where she could finally humiliate Tiffany in front of all the esteemed guests, revealing her status as an adopted child of the Kelley family and showing everyone just how unworthy Tiffany truly was. She had managed to expose the truth.

But rather than impacting Tiffany's standing, it led to Richard making an extravagant, public proposal to her.

Every woman in Lovell City wanted to marry a man of Richard's rare status and power.

But he was utterly smitten with Tiffany, going to unbelievable lengths to prove it.

Melody couldn't keep her jealousy at bay.

Seething with envy, Melody held herself together to proceed with her own engagement.

Felicia's face was equally dark. The idea of Kenneth's former fiancée now becoming Richard's wife made her feel thoroughly displeased.

But she understood Richard well enough. Once he set his mind on something, he'd never let it go. She could only hope that, in time, he'd lose interest and discard Tiffany on his own.

As the cheerful music resumed, Felicia signaled to the officiant to get the event back on track. Even though the auspicious time had passed, the engagement had to proceed.

Felicia forced a smile and settled back, believing things would go smoothly now. But then Kenneth took the microphone and announced, "I'm not going through with this wedding." He turned to Melody. "I'm sorry."

With that, he dropped the microphone, tore off his tie, and walked out of the venue with long, determined strides.

Everyone was left in shock.

They didn't know why he just decided not to go through with the engagement.

Melody's face turned pale, and she chased after him. "Kenneth, stop! Tell me what you mean!"

She caught up with him by the elevators, ripping the white veil from her head.

Tears streamed down her face. "You're rejecting me because I'm ugly now, aren't you? You think I'm no longer fit for you, don't you?

"The doctor said my allergic reaction will clear up. I didn't want this to happen. Tiffany made me break out. She's the reason I look like this. She humiliated me!"

Kenneth said nothing. His gaze was distant and impassive, as if looking at a stranger.

Melody's heart pounded with fear, tears streaming down her face. "Kenneth, you promised me. You said you'd stand by me and be a responsible husband. Why are you doing this to me now?" Her tear-streaked face, though marred by red blotches, still retained a certain beauty.

Kenneth took a deep breath.

Before learning the truth, he might have felt pity, even compassion.

He was done making himself suffer.

"This is it. Let's end it here. It's my fault," Kenneth said.

"Why?" Melody shook her head frantically. "But I love you! Isn't there even a sliver of feeling in your heart for me?"

Kenneth's smile was enigmatic, but as he looked at her, all traces of humor faded.

Kenneth said, "Let me ask you something, and I want the truth. On the night I was injured, was it really you who saved me?"

"Kenneth, why... why are you asking this all of a sudden?" Panic welled up inside Melody.

To be honest, she had no idea what Kenneth had actually experienced that night.NôvelDrama.Org owns © this.

But later, when he mistook her as his savior, she'd discreetly gathered some information. They said he had been hunted, injured, and saved.

But the person who saved him vanished without a trace.

As she faced him now, Melody feared he might have uncovered something.

"Kenneth..."

"Answer me!" Kenneth's face was cold, his tone even colder. "I want to hear it from you. Did you save me that night?"

He repeated the question, his voice as chilling as ice.

Melody bit her lip and finally admitted, "But... ver claimed to have saved you."

Kenneth froze.

She really hadn't.

Melody had only responded to his questions with silence or vague answers.

All along, he'd deceived himself.

Kenneth laughed, a laugh that grew louder, more bitter, more manic.

"I was the fool, the complete fool. I deserved it," Kenneth said.

A flimsy play on words had fooled him so deeply...

Kenneth stepped into the open elevator. Seeing Melody try to follow him, he turned with a crazed glint in his eyes and coldly said, "Fuck off!"

Melody watched as the elevator doors closed, helpless as Kenneth disappeared.

It was the first time he had spoken to her so rudely.

"How did it come to this? Why did it come to this?" Melody slumped to the ground, dazed, as the guests gradually left the hall, the space emptying out until only the cleaning staff, Charlie, Felicia, and Romeo remained.

Romeo said, "Sorry, we never expected this to happen. Kenneth is fully at fault, and we'll be sure to reprimand him."

Charlie nodded but said nothing.

.

While he was angry at Kenneth's last-minute decision, as it was the second time his daughters had been left at the altar by him, Charlie could somewhat guess the reason.

'He must have been feeling regret. Otherwise, why did he look so lost and so filled with sorrow as he watched Tiffany leave?' Charlie figured.

'Serves him right,' thought Charlie with disdain.

Years ago, when Tiffany had chased after him, trying everything she could to win his attention, he gave her nothing in return. Now, she had a better future, and Kenneth wanted to come crawling back. Kenneth deserved to live with regret and guilt for the rest of his life.

With that thought, Charlie left with Melody.

But this time, he didn't bring her home.

Instead, he arranged for her to stay at a separate estate.

"It's been fully prepared. From now on, you'll live here. I'll arrange for a few staff members to take care of you. You'll have everything you need."

"Dad..." Melody looked at him in disbelief. "You're throwing me out?"

"I wouldn't call it throwing you out," Charlie sighed, his gaze full of disappointment. "But you never truly belonged in our family."

Though he'd wanted to make up for her childhood, he found himself disheartened. Melody's nature was far too dangerous. Rather than keep her close, it was best to keep her a