Chapter 8
The wedding was lively, filled with notable elites and socialites who came to celebrate. Dressed in a voluminous, grand wedding
gown, Evangeline leaned happily into Murphy’s embrace.
Murphy wore a sleek black suit that day.
“Uncle Murphy looks so handsome,” Gemma thought. He was mature, composed, and exuded an air of elegance, seemingly
untouched by time.
Thirteen years had passed, yet he looked just as he did when he carried her out of the wardrobe–still so handsome and dashing.
Her gaze lingered on him, and she was unable to look away. She watched him with a quiet longing for several moments before
finally stepping forward to present the wedding gift she had prepared.
“Uncle Murphy, congratulations on your marriage,” she said sincerely. She truly wished him happiness and peace in the future.
Murphy accepted the gift and took a deep look at Gemma. He did not say a word, but something unspoken stirred within his eyes.
It was an emotion he could not allow to surface, and he left it to roil beneath his composed exterior.
However, Gemma did not notice it.
After giving her gift, she slipped quietly away from the wedding.
She was a coward. She simply did not have the courage to witness her Uncle Murphy marrying Evangeline with her own eyes.
She was sorry, but she was not strong enough for that. She truly wished Uncle Murphy well, but she could never bring herself to
accept Evangeline.
After leaving the wedding, Gemma went to the cemetery to lay one final bouquet of flowers on her parents‘ graves.
“Mom, I think I finally understand why you chose to end your life,” she murmured softly.
“Being alive is so painful. But why didn’t you take me with you? You hated Dad so much, but you took him with you. You always
said you loved me the most, yet you left me here alone.”
