Chapter 2

###Chapter 2

I forced a smile as Mom gently pushed me back to Jerome's side.

She straightened her clothes, trying to smooth out the wrinkled black-and-white staff uniform.

"That was just a little incident. Let's continue with the wedding," Mom said, forcing a smile at the guests.

The emcee cleared his throat and spoke in his professional voice.

"Next, it's time for the bride and groom to exchange rings."

Looking at my mother's smile, I was overwhelmed by an indescribable ache in my chest.

When I still didn't take out my diamond ring, Jerome pulled me aside.

"What are you trying to do?" he asked quietly, but the impatience in his voice was unmistakable.

I glanced at Mom. She had already stepped off the stage and was standing among the other staff members.

The guests were pointing at her and whispering, their eyes filled with amusement.

Then my gaze fell on Jerome's mother. The South African diamond necklace around her neck caught the light, stabbing painfully at my eyes.

"My mom went thirty straight days without a proper night's sleep just to prepare for this wedding. She visited hundreds of venues and met with countless emcees," I hissed.

"Giselle and my mom did all of that because they wanted to bring us happiness in the future. As your husband, shouldn't I have gone along with it?"

"So that means you can let my mother become a trash can that anyone can humiliate whenever they want?" I raised my voice.

Jerome lowered his head and leaned toward my ear. "I'm the president of the Herrera Group. Don't embarrass me in front of everyone."

"And what about my mother? Is she supposed to let your precious little sister treat her however she wants?" I clapped back.

Mom approached us with a worried frown. "Why are you two arguing?"

She hesitated before continuing. "If this is because of me..."

She paused, then looked at Jerome with an almost ingratiating smile. "Jerome, I actually brought you a little gift."

Mom carefully pulled a handkerchief from inside her clothes. With great care, she unfolded the cloth. Inside was a simple gold ring.

"Celine's father gave this to me before he passed away. He told me to pass it on to the man she loved most."

She gently placed the ring in Jerome's direction. "Now I'm giving it to you myself. I hope the two of you will have a long and happy marriage."

Giselle came over and picked up the ring with a mocking laugh.

"Auntie, if you have something this shabby, you should just stay out of the way. There isn't even enough gold here to cover the price of my manicure."

She sneered and continued, "Go stand with the other servers. Don't embarrass our Herrera family."

Mom awkwardly forced a smile. She nervously wiped her hands against her uniform. "Sorry. I'll go back downstairs."

I stretched out my hand and stared at Giselle, my voice tight. "Give it back."

Giselle smiled and placed the gold ring in her palm.

Just as I reached for it, she suddenly flipped her hand and tossed the ring onto the floor.

The gold ring rolled across the floor until it stopped at Jerome's feet.

Without the slightest hesitation, Jerome stepped directly on it.

My eyes widened in disbelief. But Mom immediately grabbed my wrist.

"It's okay."

Those two words suddenly made my eyes burn.

Before my father died, Jerome had promised him again and again that he would never let me suffer any grievances in this lifetime.

And now, he was standing on the very keepsake my father had left behind.

I crouched down and picked the gold ring up from beneath Jerome's foot. I gently blew the dust off it before slipping it onto my finger.

The emcee spoke hesitantly. "Now, shall we have the bride and groom exchange rings?"

I looked at Mom, whose eyes were already red. Then I took the microphone from the emcee. "I'd like to ask everyone here something."

I slowly turned my gaze toward Giselle.

"The woman who is about to become my sister-in-law just casually threw my father's keepsake onto the floor."

My fingers tightened around the microphone. "So tell me... should I still continue with this wedding?"