April stood frozen as the crowd’s cheers and laughter from moments earlier faded into murmurs and whispers. Her father’s announcement rang in her ears, but the words felt surreal, as though they didn’t belong in her reality. A billion thoughts churned through her mind, each more painful than the last. I’m their real daughter, right? she thought. So how does Ophelia always end up with everything—my love, my family, everything?

Her gaze flickered to Sen and Ophelia, standing side by side like the perfect couple. Then, it landed on her mother, whose beaming smile and pride only deepened the sting. April’s chest tightened as anger surged within her. She slammed her wine glass down on the table, the sharp sound silencing the room as heads turned to her.

"Dad!" she yelled, storming toward the stage. The crowd parted, their curious stares following her. Uncle Lin looked on in confusion, while her mother’s panicked voice called after her. "April, stop! What are you doing?"

But April was beyond reason. Her emotions boiled over, her hurt too raw to contain. She marched up to her father, who stood stiffly on stage, his polite smile barely masking his displeasure. "How could you?" she spat, her voice trembling with rage.

Alex’s jaw clenched as he addressed her in a low, controlled tone. "April, let’s talk about this later. Now is not the time."

"I don’t care!" she shot back. "How could you fix Sen up with someone else?"

Alex’s face hardened. His eyes narrowed as he forced his anger to stay hidden beneath a composed façade. "April," he said tersely, "I know you care about your childhood friend, but Ophelia is your sister. She’s a good match for him."

"Are you kidding me?" April’s voice rose as she shoved a nearby table aside. Glasses shattered, the sound cutting through the shocked silence of the room. Gasps rippled through the crowd as whispers and murmurs grew louder.

"April, enough!" Alex finally shouted, his composure cracking.

"Please, Alex," Kelly urged, tugging at his arm. "Come with me. Let’s calm down."

Sen stepped forward, his voice gentle but firm. "April, I know you’re upset, but let’s not do this here. Calm down."

April whirled to face him, her heart shattering further at his calm demeanor. "You agree with them?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "They fixed your marriage, and you’re okay with it?"

Sen hesitated but then shrugged. "Yeah, I already knew about it," he admitted, his nonchalance like a dagger to her chest.

April’s breath hitched. "Did I just hear you right?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You knew?"

"Yes," Sen replied. "And I’m fine with it. Ophelia is sweet, cute, and bubbly—just my type."

April staggered back, each word piercing her deeper. Her father’s cold voice cut through her haze of pain. "That’s enough, April!" Alex’s tone was dominating, a final warning.

Uncle Lin stepped closer, his brow furrowed. "Child, why are you so upset? Can’t we talk this out?"

But April ignored him. She ignored her mother’s pleas to leave, the crowd’s judgmental stares, and even her father’s anger. Her eyes locked onto Ophelia, who stood behind Sen, unbothered by the chaos she’d caused.

Rushing past Sen and Kelly, April grabbed Ophelia’s hand, her desperation evident. "You’re my sister, right?" she pleaded. "Tell them you don’t want this engagement. Please."

Ophelia’s wide eyes blinked innocently. "Sis, what are you talking about?" she asked, feigning confusion. "I love Sen. Why would I cancel the engagement?"

Before she could say more, April’s hand lashed out, landing a slap across Ophelia’s cheek. The sharp sound reverberated through the room, stunning everyone into silence.

"April!" Alex roared, his face red with fury as he stormed toward her.

"How dare you," April shouted, her voice shaking. "You’re just an adopted dog. How can you dream of laying your hands on him?"

"Shut your damn mouth!" Alex bellowed, his voice echoing through the room. "Kelly, get her out of here!"

Kelly rushed to Ophelia, brushing her fingers gently over the red mark blooming on her cheek. "It’s okay, sweetie," she murmured, glaring at April. "She doesn’t know what she’s saying."

"Get out now!" Alex commanded, his voice final.

April stared at them, her family united against her, and felt the tears burn behind her eyes. She blinked rapidly, refusing to let them fall. "Wow," she said bitterly, her voice cracking. "You guys are really something."

As she turned to leave, the weight of the stares bore down on her. Friends and family sneered at her like she was a villain in her own story. Uncle Lin’s face was etched with worry, but Sen wouldn’t even meet her gaze. Instead, he stood by Ophelia, fussing over her like she was the one who had been wronged.

April’s knees wobbled as she pushed through the crowd. She couldn’t go home—not tonight. Her heart couldn’t take another blow. Instead, she stepped into the cold night air, her tears finally spilling as the door shut behind her.

She wandered into the night, alone and broken, unsure if she would ever find a way to mend the pieces of her shattered heart.