She Took My Wedding Dress

My fiancé Adrian had picked out my wedding dress a year in advance. But now he was asking me to take off my ring. He said it would upset Ava. She'd feel like I, the adopted daughter, had stolen the man she loved. "Just let her have this for now. I'll make it all up to you later." I'd been hearing that sentence since I was eighteen. I was twenty-one now. Later, I went home to get my passport and heard my mother asking him in the study: "Claire still doesn't know she's our biological daughter. Just humor her a little more." He said he knew. He'd already picked out our wedding home for me— the top-floor apartment with my favorite terrace, the one with the view of the bay. My brother said once Ava was married off, no one would compete with me anymore. My father said that would be the perfect time to announce my true identity to the family. I stood outside the door for a while and didn't go in. The papers to dissolve the engagement were already signed. The wedding dress they'd picked out for me—let someone else try it on. Chapter 1 As I turned to go downstairs, a sharp clatter of heels came from the living room. "Adrian, I think I heard something outside. Is Claire here?" It was my sister Ava's voice. I didn't hide. I stood in the shadow of the foyer and watched the study door slide open. Adrian came out first. When he saw me, the smile on his face froze for a moment. Then it quickly returned to its usual composure. The study was well soundproofed. If the butler hadn't left the door slightly ajar when he brought coffee in, I wouldn't have heard a single word. "Claire? Why didn't you say something when you came in?" Adrian strode over. He naturally put an arm around my shoulder. At the same time, he subtly shifted his body to block the gap in the study door. "Were you waiting long? I had Grace bring your passport out. It's on the foyer table." My mother, Evelyn, and Ava followed him out. When she saw me, the expression of motherly concern for her daughter that she'd worn in the study vanished instantly. She frowned out of habit. "Take your things and go. Don't stand here getting in the way." "Ava just finished trying on her engagement banquet dress. Seeing you will only put her in a bad mood again." Ava was wearing a custom crimson gown. She leaned delicately against Adrian. Her fingertip deliberately toyed with the pink diamond necklace at her throat. Adrian had bought it for her at a private jewelry auction last week. At the time, I'd only glanced at the catalog a second longer, and he'd said the style was too flashy and didn't suit me. "Mom, don't be mean to Claire." Ava looked at me timidly, her eyes reddening on cue. "Claire, I'm sorry." "I grew up outside. I've never seen jewelry this beautiful..." "Adrian insisted on buying it for me as an engagement gift." "You won't blame me for taking something you liked, will you?" My brother Lucas came down the stairs and let out a cold snort. "Would she dare blame you?" "Our family has taken her in all these years." "We should be grateful she hasn't demanded we return everything she's taken from us." He looked down at me. "Claire, Ava and Adrian's engagement is the day after tomorrow. The house is busy." "Be sensible and come help entertain the guests." "Don't walk around looking like everyone owes you something." I looked down at the brown paper bag on the foyer table with my passport inside. Just minutes ago, Lucas had been swearing up and down in the study: "I've already negotiated a solo exhibition for Claire at a top New York gallery." "Once Ava is married off, we'll make her the most talked-about young painter in the city." My father had chimed in too: "I'll give her that ocean-view property of mine, so she stops feeling like we play favorites." They'd painted the future so lavishly. But the moment the door opened, they couldn't spare me a single kind word. In their eyes, the play had run for three years. A few more days wouldn't hurt. As long as I still loved Adrian. As long as I still longed for them to acknowledge me as part of this family. I would always be the one who came running when called. "I'm not going." I picked up my passport and said calmly. "I have plans the day after tomorrow." The air in the living room froze for a moment. Adrian frowned and lowered his voice to coax me. "Claire, don't throw a tantrum." "The day after tomorrow, you're Ava's sister." "If you don't show up, people will say our family can't even take care of an adopted daughter." As he spoke, he used his body as cover and pressed a gold-embossed business card into my palm. He leaned close to my ear and whispered: "Be good. Get through this one event." "See the address? Vera Bridal Salon." "The dress I ordered for you just arrived from Paris yesterday." "It's far more beautiful than Ava's." "Tomorrow afternoon I'll sneak you over to try it on." "Just the two of us. Okay?" I glanced down at the card in my palm. His finger still wore the matching engagement ring he shared with Ava. The cold metal band pressed against my palm. Three years ago, to shield Ava from an attack by a rival family, my right wrist was broken. I nearly never picked up a paintbrush again. Back then, Adrian held me and stayed by my side all night at the hospital. He swore he would never let me down. Later, Ava cried and said she felt unsafe. Only if Adrian stayed by her side as her fiancé would she accept treatment. Adrian held my hand the same way and asked me to take off my ring. He said: "Claire, a ring is dead. My heart is alive." "Once Ava is better, I'll make everything up to you." I believed him. So I endured the city's mockery. I carried the reputation of "coveting my sister's fiancé." I worked day and night in my studio, drawing commercial pieces for others. I helped Adrian's company save up its first round of startup capital. "I understand." I pulled my hand back and stuffed the card into my pocket. "I'll go tomorrow afternoon." A flicker of expected satisfaction crossed Adrian's eyes. He rubbed my cheek. "I knew Claire was the most sensible." "Hurry back now. It's windy outside." I didn't look at anyone in the living room again. I turned and walked out. Once outside the estate, I took out the Premarital Property Agreement and Engagement Dissolution Arrangement that Adrian had signed three months ago to placate me. At the time, he'd said: "Claire, if I ever let you down, you can sign it anytime." "Everything in my name is yours to deal with." My signature and fingerprint were already in the other signature column. Once the lawyer confirmed the paperwork was complete, our five-year engagement, along with all the painting usage rights I'd authorized him to hold over the past three years, would be completely settled. Chapter 2 The next afternoon at two, Vera Couture Bridal Salon. Adrian hadn't arrived when I got there. The owner, Irene, was a friend I'd known for years. When she saw me walk in, her expression was complicated. She sighed. "Claire, are you sure about this?" "Yes. Please bring it out for me." Irene nodded and had two assistants wheel out a glass display case. Inside hung a long-trained wedding dress covered in diamond dust and antique lace. I had to admit, Adrian really did know my taste. The dress was made exactly according to a sketch I'd drawn in my sketchbook when I was eighteen. Inside the hem, gold thread was even embroidered with the initials "A & C." Just then, the shop door was pushed open and Adrian hurried in. But he wasn't alone. Behind him came Ava, pale and clutching her chest, and my mother, looking anxious. When Adrian saw me standing in front of the dress, his expression changed. He stepped forward quickly to explain. "Claire, Ava suddenly felt unwell in her chest when we were leaving." "Evelyn was worried, so she insisted I take her to the hospital." "We just happened to pass by here..." "Wow, Adrian, this dress is gorgeous!" Ava didn't even wait for him to finish. Her eyes lit up and she rushed to the display case. There was no sign of any chest discomfort now. "It's way prettier than the one I'm wearing to my engagement tomorrow!" "Is this a surprise you prepared for me?" Adrian froze and instinctively looked at me. My mother blinked, her eyes shifting. Clearly, she knew who the dress really belonged to. But seeing Ava's hopeful expression, she still made the choice she always made. She stepped forward and stood between me and the dress. She said to Adrian, as if it were the most natural thing in the world: "Adrian is so thoughtful." "Ava's engagement is tomorrow. She's been missing a showstopper dress." "Since it's already here, have the staff bring it out for Ava to try." "Evelyn, this dress was made to Claire's measurements—" "If the size doesn't fit, we'll alter it on the spot." "A high-end couture shop this big can't alter one dress?" My mother cut him off impatiently. She turned and looked at me with something close to a command in her eyes. She lowered her voice. "Claire, Ava's health isn't good. What's the harm in letting her have a dress she likes?" "You're her older sister. Are you really going to fight her over this?" "Don't set her off here." She must have been thinking again: It's just a piece of clothing. Once Claire's identity is revealed later, we'll have Adrian order ten or eight better ones for her. It was always like this. As long as Ava wanted it, I had to hand it over immediately. Even if it was something I'd waited three years for. Their guilt toward me. They could postpone it indefinitely to some vague "later." Ava impatiently grabbed Adrian's sleeve. Tears welled in her eyes. "Adrian, this dress... it's not for me, is it?" "Of course. I've only been back three years. How could I compare to how long Claire has been with you?" "I'll just wear the old one. I don't want to make her unhappy..." As she spoke, her breathing quickened and she made as if to collapse. "Ava!" Adrian's expression changed drastically. He scooped her up. In that moment, all hesitation vanished. He turned to look at me, his eyes full of anxiety and pleading. Even a trace of undeniable command. "Claire, you see it too. Ava can't handle stress!" "It's just a dress." "Tonight I'll contact Paris to rush a remake. I'll compensate you with an identical one." "Today, let Ava have this one!" Finally, Irene couldn't stand it anymore. She said coldly: "Mr. Adrian, this dress was exclusively custom-made for Miss Claire." "Miss Ava's body shape is different from hers." "Forcing alterations would ruin the entire antique lace." "Then ruin it! I'll pay double!" Adrian shouted. Then he softened his tone and looked at me. "Claire, I'm begging you." "Don't put me in a difficult position right now, okay?" "Go help Ava with her crinoline." I looked quietly at Ava, held in his arms, secretly raising an eyebrow and sneering at me. Then I looked at my mother, whose face said if you dare say no, you're unfilial. "No need to remake it," I said. Adrian let out a breath, thinking I'd compromised like before. "Claire, I knew you were the most considerate—" I took out the utility knife I normally used for cutting canvas paper. Click. I pushed the blade out. I walked to the display case. Under everyone's stunned gaze, I reached out and pinched the gold-thread fabric with "A & C" embroidered inside the hem. And cut. RIIIP. The expensive antique lace split open. I cut the fabric with our initials on it cleanly away and threw it into the wastebasket at my feet. "Claire! Are you insane?!" My mother screamed and raised her hand to slap me. I stepped back, avoiding her palm. I put the utility knife away in my bag. My voice was utterly calm: "It has my name on it. It wouldn't fit Ava." "Now it's gone. Alter it however you like." Adrian stared at the gold embroidery in the wastebasket. His chest suddenly seized. An inexplicable panic gripped him. He set Ava down and stepped forward, trying to grab my wrist. "Claire, what's wrong with you today? Is it—" I avoided his hand and turned toward the shop door. "I have things to do. Enjoy your fitting." Chapter 3 After leaving the bridal salon, I went straight to the law firm. I submitted the documents dissolving the engagement and reclaiming the painting authorization. After reviewing the materials, the lawyer signed the confirmation. "Claire, the agreement is in effect." "Formal notice will be delivered to Adrian's company and your father's estate before ten tomorrow morning." "Thank you." After leaving the firm, I went to my studio. This studio was rented with the inheritance my grandmother left me. Inside were all the original works I'd created over the past three years. I called a moving company. I packed up my paints and brushes and sent them to the airport freight station. Three days ago, a professor from an art academy in Florence had sent me a full scholarship invitation. They were inviting me to join their old oil painting restoration team for a five-year closed program. My flight was at ten tomorrow morning. Exactly when Ava and Adrian's engagement banquet was set to begin. I was packing when the studio door was suddenly kicked open. My brother Lucas stormed in with two bodyguards. His face was terrifyingly dark. "Claire, you've really grown some nerve!" Lucas walked up to me in a few strides. He kicked over the wooden box of brushes by my feet. Brushes scattered across the floor. "How dare you pull a knife and ruin Ava's dress in public at the bridal shop." "And give Mom attitude!" "Do you think no one in this family can control you anymore?!" I looked at the broken brush handles on the floor. They were a gift from my grandmother on my eighteenth birthday. I bent down and picked them up one by one. Seeing that I didn't speak, Lucas thought I was scared. He snorted coldly. He pulled a black card from his suit pocket and slapped it onto the easel beside him. "Alright, stop putting on that poor victim act for everyone." "Mom came home with a headache from anger." "I'm here to teach you a lesson for her." "The PIN is six eights. There's three million dollars on it." "Go buy yourself some decent clothes." "Show up at the engagement banquet tomorrow like you're supposed to." "In front of the media, raise a glass to Ava and Adrian." "Wish them a happy marriage." He looked down at me crouching on the floor. His tone dripping with condescending charity: "Don't feel wronged." "I've already bought you a three-story private gallery downtown." "The renovation is almost done." "As long as you cooperate tomorrow and finish this play properly." "Let Ava have her grand engagement." "I'll give you the keys the day after." He straightened his chest as he said this. As if he were some noble brother bearing humiliation for the family. He had no idea. When he kicked over the brush box, the can of turpentine on the table, used for cleaning oil paintings, was knocked over. The liquid dripped along the table edge. Drop by drop, it fell onto the still-wet oil painting by his feet. It was the Family Portrait he'd pestered me into painting last month, making me stay up for half a month. At the time, he said he wanted to hang it in his private study at the estate. The painting had my parents, him, and Ava. And in the most inconspicuous corner of the canvas, I had painted myself as a white dove perched on the windowsill. Now the turpentine was eating through that white dove, along with all the colors of the painting, in one devastating mess. "Did you hear me?" Lucas urged impatiently. "Put the card away." "Eight tomorrow morning, I'll send a car for you." I stood up and put the broken brushes I'd picked up into my bag. I didn't even glance at the black card. "No need for the car." "Keep the gallery for yourself." "I won't be painting in this city anymore." Lucas sneered. "Not painting here? Don't tell me you're going abroad?" "Claire, without the Lin family's money and Adrian's support," "you can't even afford paint." "Stop talking big!" Before he finished, his phone rang. It was Adrian. Lucas answered and put it on speaker. "Adrian, I've already taught her a lesson." "She took my card too. She'll definitely show up tomorrow—" "What? The dress is ruined and Ava's throwing another fit?" Adrian's tired, irritable voice came through the phone. "Yeah, Ava keeps saying the dress Claire cut is bad luck." "Now she's crying and refusing to eat." "Is Claire there? Put her on." Lucas held the phone up in front of me. Adrian's voice came through. With that familiar tone of command: "Claire, I know you're upset today." "But since you caused this, you have to fix it." "Don't you know how to embroider?" "Take a cab to the estate now." "Fix the damaged part of the dress overnight." "By tomorrow morning, I want to see a flawless dress on Ava." "As compensation, after the engagement banquet tomorrow, I'll take you to Iceland to see the northern lights." "I've already had my secretary look into flights." I looked at the phone screen and suddenly smiled. The aftereffects of my wrist fracture from three years ago meant that on rainy days, or if I held a needle for more than half an hour, my wrist would spasm violently. Adrian knew this better than anyone. But to make Ava happy, he could casually ask me to repair a dress all night. And then placate me with a flight he hadn't even booked. "Adrian," I said into the phone, word by word. "My hand hurts. I can't embroider." Adrian paused, then his tone dropped. "Claire, I already promised to take you to see the northern lights." "How long are you going to keep this up?" "I'll give you half an hour." "If you don't show up at the estate," "then at tomorrow's engagement banquet, I'll make it real. I'll actually marry Ava." "Do you believe me?!" That was his favorite threat these past three years. Every time he threatened to "make it real," I would immediately apologize and give in. "Okay," I said. "Then I wish you both a long and happy life together." After saying that, I reached over and ended the call on Lucas's phone. Under Lucas's stunned and furious stare, I took out the estate access card from my bag. And the plain ring Adrian had given me three years ago. I set them down next to the black card. Then I picked up my suitcase and walked past him out the door. "Claire! You dare take one step!" "If you don't show up tomorrow, don't even think about setting foot in this house again for the rest of your life!" Lucas raged behind me. But when he looked down to grab his phone, out of the corner of his eye he caught the ring I'd returned on the table. And the Family Portrait on the floor, destroyed by turpentine. An inexplicable panic suddenly seized his heart.