Nevaeh was no longer having it. She was pissed at the little distance between Niamh and Kendrick as the two conversed.
“You’re here, Miss Quinn.”
She walked over to greet Niamh with an ingenuine smile. Then, she tilted her head to blink with innocent curiosity at Kendrick.
“What were you and Miss Quinn talking about, Kendrick? Can I know?”
“I think it’s best you don’t, Miss Delgado. It’s my and Kendrick’s secret after all.” Niamh smiled knowingly. “Right, Kendrick?”
“…” The fake smile gracing Nevaeh’s lips fell, but she forced another one as she refused to drop her facade in front of everyone. “Well then. Now that you’re here, Miss Quinn, I believe it’s my duty as Kendrick’s fiancée to formally welcome you to tonight’s celebration!”
With that, Nevaeh quickly turned around to face Kendrick. “Mrs. Waldburg hasn’t gotten the chance to announce what she wanted yet, Kendrick. We should let her finish talking!”
She lifted her eyes to throw Mrs. Waldburg, who was still stunned on the stage, a look.
Reading the atmosphere, Niamh’s beautiful eyes swept over Kendrick’s silent expression again. “Then I’ll go get some food. See you.”
Kendrick nodded faintly as he stared back at her beauty. “Hmm.”
He had to admit that he found himself attracted to her looks.
To the point where his heart had uncontrollably skipped a beat.
Breathing had become difficult while his heartbeat turned untamable since the moment it skipped a beat.
Her face reminded him of ‘her’, the very ‘her’ he had tortured and left gaping, the ‘her’ who had died with hatred in her heart…
Passing a server, Niamh took a glass of champagne. Holding the wine glass in hand, she found suspicious and inquisitive gazes sweeping all over her.
Smiling, she brought the glass of silvery liquid to her lips gracefully.
Right then, Niamh felt someone approach her from behind.
She was about to lift her gaze to look when Eloise’s warning tone drifted into her ears. “I’m warning you, Vera Quinn. Kendrick is my daughter, Nevaeh’s, fiancé. Their relationship is great and they’re about to get registered. Don’t even dream about coming in between them!”
Niamh’s fingers tightened around the stem of the glass as she shook her head with a soft smile.
Her mirthful gaze locked with Eloise’s hostile ones. She felt a stab of pain in her heart as she was taken off guard.
“If my memory serves my right, wasn’t your daughter a mistress in the beginning? Oh, and I hear that the original wife whose marriage she went in between, Niamh Delgado? I heard we look almost the same. Perhaps that’s why you’re speaking to me in such a tone, Mrs. Montgomery?”
Eloise’s expression immediately darkened. “What are you talking about? My daughter has never gone in between anyone’s marriage. Niamh Delgado was the shameless one who climbed into my son-in- law’s bed. Nevaeh and Kendrick would have had a happy family long ago if it were not for her!”
Niamh smiled casually. “Did you see it with your own two eyes, Mrs. Montgomery? How are you so certain that Niamh Delgado is the shameless woman you claim her to be?”
“Of course, I’m certain! I watched with my own eyes how shameless and merciless Niamh Delgado is! Time and time again she hurt my precious daughter and grandson. Death is the lightest punishment for a woman like her!”
Eloise clenched her jaw, spitting out word after word that dripped with the hatred and disgust she felt for Niamh. It was almost as if death was not enough to relieve the hatred in her heart.
Seconds later, Niamh heard a mocking scoff from Eloise.
“While you may share Niamh Delgado’s appearance, Miss Vera, I do hope that you’d refrain from acting as shamelessly as that woman!”
With a condescending look, Eloise left Niamh’s side and walked back to Nevaeh.
The ‘mother-daughter’ duo held each other’s hands, looking closer than ever.
Niamh pursed her lips gently as she stared at the sickening sight.
‘Oh, Mother.
‘My dearest mother.
‘I wonder whatever you would do the day you find out that the very ‘shameless woman’ is your biological daughter.
‘Would you continue to believe the lies Nevaeh fed you and continue to call your own daughter a wretched b*tch, or… would you hold me tightly in your arms and call me ‘dear’… ‘
Niamh’s heart was suddenly overwhelmed with pain.
Her lips pulled into a self-deprecating smirk. Raising the glass to her lips again, she felt a small tug at the skirt of her gown.
“Big Sis Vera.” Jackson’s clear voice sounded in the air.
Looking down at his small handsome face, Niamh felt the wound in her heart suddenly heal a substantial amount.
“Good evening, Jack.” She reached out to ruffle Jack’s hair.
“Lillian didn’t come with you, Big Sis Vera?” Jackson blinked in expectancy.
She parted her lips to answer, but before she could, she heard Kendrick’s attractive baritone voice drift over from the stage.
Mrs. Waldburg who was supposed to announce the wedding had been ushered off the stage, while Kendrick stood in her place now to give a formal opening speech.
In his tailored suit under the spotlight, Kendrick oozed with power and nobility. Charisma was flowing from every gesture he made.
A man like him was probably the subject of most women’s admiration and dreams.
Yet admiration was all it could be, for it was too easy for one to lose themselves, burned by the searing light that made him so blinding…
Niamh chuckled. She had realized it too late, and for it, she had almost given her life.
Swirling the liquid in the glass, she caught a figure from her peripheral vision. She shot Jackson a warm smile. “Big Sis Vera needs to take a trip to the bathroom, Jack. I’ll see you in a bit, okay?”
“Okay, Big Sis Vera. I’ll wait for you.” Jackson nodded seriously, his promise reminding her of the one Kendrick made her years ago.
‘He’s your son, down to the point of making promises.
‘Although, Kendrick, I must say, you have not the innocence of your child.’
Smiling, Niamh followed the figure from the corridor to the bathroom, hearing the carefree and familiar hum of a tune.
Calmly, she waited by the door. It was only when she heard footsteps approaching from inside did she slowly turn on the tap and pretend to wash her hands.
Seconds after, a man walked out of the male bathroom. Humming a tune, he walked over to the sink and began to sweep his intoxicated eyes over Niamh’s above-average physique.
His eyes squinted as they made their way up before finally settling on Niamh’s face.
The man’s eyes were blown wide the instant they made contact with Niamh’s appearance. Staggering backward, his back knocked against the door. “I-It’s you…”
Tanner’s complexion paled as he pointed a finger at Niamh who was currently washing her hands. Shocked, he crawled up from the ground with a hand on the wall for his strength seemed to have vanished from his legs.
It was the first time he had participated in such a high-class celebration. As a result, he had drunk a good amount to take full advantage of the situation.
Under the effects of alcohol, Niamh’s enchanting smile floated about in his vision. Her face duplicated as the figures began to approach him. He could not breathe!
Too afraid to look her in the eye, he started to stutter and mumble.
“Ni-Niamh Delgado! Why won’t you leave me alone? The person you’re looking for is Nevaeh! Not me!”
Watching Tanner tremble in fear before her, Niamh stepped over with her high heels clicking and a smile on her curled lips.
“You’re asking me why Niamh’s spirit is haunting you? I’m sure you know exactly why.”
“Ah!” Tanner dashed into the male bathroom, terrified. “I don’t know! I don’t know anything at all! Find Nevaeh if you want revenge! Leave me alone! Go away!”
He mumbled, his heart racing in utmost fear.
After a while, the sounds of activity vanished outside. Tanner took a tentative step only to realize there was no one at all!
It fueled his fear. He turned on the tap to wash his face in hopes of sobering up, yet regardless of how much he splashed, the image of Niamh’s thought-provoking smile continued to echo in his mind…
Niamh returned to the ballroom. The atmosphere had lightened greatly and the guests began to drink and dine, enjoying the food as they chatted with each other.
When her eyes fell on Old Master Waldburg, Niamh held back the overwhelming urge to greet him, for she knew impulsiveness would do her no good.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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