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Amid the chaos, Daniel said nothing more. Without even glancing at the Wren family again, he turned and left the venue.
“I’ll bring Ava back.”
He didn’t say it out loud-but he swore it in his heart.
The wedding ended in grand spectacle and silent disgrace. The guests, once full of praise and envy, now scattered in small groups, whispering with a mixture of contempt and disbelief.
The so-called “wedding of the century” had become a public humiliation.
And it was all livestreamed.
The internet exploded with outrage and speculation. The Thorne and Wren families were ridiculed. Yet, even after everything, the Wren family still couldn’t bring themselves to abandon Delilah-their cherished daughter since childhood.
After all, a video could be faked, right?
With today’s technology, maybe this was all some elaborate smear campaign.
So, Julian said grimly, “We’ll investigate everything first. Until then, Delilah is to stay home and not step foot outside.”
Mrs. Wren sobbed uncontrollably, nearly fainting multiple times.
‘Ava… my daughter… Where is she now? I can’t reach her. Has something happened to her?” He voice broke. “She must be heartbroken. After today, she’ll never want to come back.”
She clutched her chest, guilt-ridden. “I haven’t treated her well these past years. I’m ashamed to
be her mother. I-I’m a terrible mother…”
Delilah’s face turned pale. The mention of an investigation terrified her, but she still clung to
hope.
‘Mom, I really didn’t do anything. Maybe Ava was just upset and wanted to scare us. You’ve all been so good to me… maybe that’s why she got mad.”
Mrs. Wren, usually gentle and doting, turned away.
‘Enough, Delilah,” she said, her voice trembling. “I don’t want to hear another word from you.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she covered her face with both hands.
Had she raised this girl into someone so cruel, so deceitful? Why hadn’t she given more love to Ava instead?
She deserved this heartbreak.
“Maybe Ava’s already back home,” Julian suddenly said, grasping at hope. “Let’s go! Maybe she’s waiting for us.”
“Yes!” Mrs. Wren’s eyes lit up. “She must be hungry-she hasn’t had breakfast yet, right? She loves potato buns… I’ll make them for her myself. She always used to smile when she ate
them…”
For once, she remembered what her real daughter liked.
But it was already too late.
When they arrived home, the house was silent.
“Where is the young lady?” Julian roared, grabbing a servant by the collar. “Where’s my daughter?!”
The servant trembled and pointed behind him. “Isn’t she… right there, sir?”
Delilah stood silently behind the crowd, shrinking under their gaze.
“No!” Julian’s voice cracked. “I meant Ava!”
The servant looked confused. “But sir, just a few days ago, you said the Wren family only had one daughter…”
The words struck like a whip. Julian staggered, stunned by the cruel echo of his own past judgment.
Yes. He had said it-angrily, recklessly-when he believed Ava had bullied Delilah.
He was the one who cast her out.
He was the one who severed their bond.
He was the one who deserved this.
“If you mean Miss Ava… she left this morning,” another servant spoke up hesitantly. “Said she
was going to Miss Delilah’s wedding. She had a suitcase with her… said it was a gift.”
A suitcase.
Not a gift.
A goodbye.
And just like that, the hope in their hearts collapsed.
Ava was gone.
Gone, and this time, she wouldn’t come back.
Far from that crumbling house of hypocrisy, I had arrived in Hollywood.
Director Jake had arranged a small, modest apartment for me-cozy, quiet, and safe. “This is where your new journey begins,” he said. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll undergo rigorous training-not just acting, but also in language, physical fitness, and therapy.”
“You’re gifted,” he added, “but I expect more than just talent from you.”
“Understood!” I smiled through misty eyes. “Thank you, Director Jake. I’ll work hard.”
He handed me a new ID card.
“From now on, you are Lyra Quinn.”
I looked down at the name.
Lyra Quinn.
My new identity. My new life.
I gently traced the letters with my fingers. My heart swelled, not with grief-but with quiet, determined hope.
Director Jake understood that recovery would take time. He believed in me-not because I was a victim, but because I was a survivor.
And from this moment forward…
There was no Ava.
Only Lyra Quinn-the woman I chose to become.
