The next day at school, Zoe peppered Tiffany with questions. "Tiffany, where were you yesterday? Why didn't I see you? And what's with the bump on your head?"

"I tripped and fell," Tiffany replied nonchalantly.

"When you were drunk last night? I should have stayed to look after you," Zoe said, her face etched with self-reproach. Her dorm was far from Tiffany's. After helping Tiffany settle in the previous night, she'd returned to her own room. The next day, she found Tiffany gone.

Tiffany smiled. "It's fine."

They chatted until they reached their classroom, where they found gilded invitations on most desks.

"Why would anyone send invitations to school?" Tiffany picked one up, smiling. She was right; it was Sandra's wedding invitation. Life seemed idyllic for Sandra since marrying into the Booth family.

Zoe frowned. "Tiffany, don't go."

"Why?" Tiffany tilted her head.

"She's up to no good! She might have some tricks planned," Zoe said, pointing to Kenneth's desk, which also held an invitation. "Besides, I doubt he'll even go." Sandra had once relentlessly pursued Kenneth, but he now had Melody. Would he attend, especially considering his status?

Tiffany laughed. "You're right, but I can guarantee this much: Kenneth will definitely go." Even if he initially declined, Sandra only needed to express a desire to see him one last time before starting her new life; he'd always fallen for that.

Zoe looked surprised. "What about you, Tiffany?"

"Of course I'll be there," Tiffany replied. As Sandra's cousin, she couldn't miss it. Even if she didn't go, her parents would attend to avoid further family rumors. They maintained a fragile kinship; otherwise, they'd be criticized for being heartless.

Perhaps Sandra anticipated Tiffany's attendance, showing no worry about her absence.

Tiffany settled comfortably into her seat, a playful smile on her face. It was time to give Sandra a gift.

When Kenneth entered, he saw Tiffany among the students. She sat by the window, writing. The sunlight illuminated her stunning profile—long eyelashes like fluttering butterflies, flawless skin glowing. As he approached, he noticed the fine down on her face. When she looked up, her bright eyes met his with a cold gaze.

Kenneth awkwardly looked away, his heart pounding. Am I crazy? Am I staring? He was captivated. I must be crazy!

Melody entered and chided him. "Kenneth, didn't you hear me calling? You didn't even wait for me."

"Huh?" Kenneth was startled. "I didn't hear you."

Melody took his hand. "What's wrong with you lately? You're so distracted."

"Nothing" Kenneth smiled, glancing secretly at Tiffany.

He'd been plagued by dreams for nights; recurring visions of a younger Tiffany, innocently pursuing him. He'd been too foolish, embarrassed by her affections, and had been cold to her. The dreams shifted; Tiffany was thin, imprisoned, her bright eyes dull. He was inexplicably disturbed, as if the dream were reality—worse, he was the one who'd sent her to jail. Why would I do that?

Seeing his distraction, Melody pushed him gently. "Kenneth, you have an invitation. Aren't you going to look?"

The interruption broke his reverie. He saw Sandra's wedding invitation. He shook his head. "I'm not going."

Melody was surprised, her interest waning at his refusal. "You've been invited. Aren't you going?" Usually, he'd ask if she wanted to go, but this time, he simply replied, "It's not important. I'm not going," casually discarding the invitation.

Passing Tiffany, he overheard Zoe's concern: "Tiffany, I'm worried about you going. What if Sandra's up to something again?"

Tiffany's also attending Sandra's wedding? he thought.

Back at his seat, he saw Melody sighing. "Since you want to go, I'll take you."

"Really?" Melody's face lit up.

Kenneth nodded, but subconsciously clenched his fists. Melody's smile faded as she saw Tiffany writing, her side profile still breathtakingly beautiful. Melody returned to her book, cutting the page forcefully.

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