7
My heart lurched violently.
Dominic seemed to revel in seeing me so devastated.
“How could the Sterling family let you and Seraphina truly marry? After all, you were an embarrassment to them. How could the Sterling family allow such a stain near their heiress?”
“Heh.”
I chuckled self–mockingly. Yes, Dominic was right.
How could I possibly be worthy of being by Seraphina’s side?
She was a high and mighty heiress, and I? Just a small–town guy.
“Since I’ve told you this much, I might as well tell you that Seraphina originally intended to overcome all obstacles and marry you directly. It was I who deliberately made the Sterling family propose this bet.”
“And it was I who, all these years, when Seraphina wanted to tell you everything, made her continue to lie to you. Actually, the person you should hate the most isn’t her, it’s me.”
¡Dominic’s eyes gleamed with triumph, but then he noticed my gaze wasn’t on him.
His expression stiffened instantly. He slowly turned his head to look behind him.
Seraphina, full of menace, walked towards Dominic. His arrogant demeanor vanished immediately.
“Sera! Let me explain!”
“Sera! Let me explain!”
Seraphina slapped Dominic across the face, sending his head and body to the side. She snarled,
“You useless idiot! Was it you who got me drunk that day and made me hit…”
Seraphina couldn’t bring herself to say the words. She glared at Dominic.
“If you dare to lie, I’ll make your life a living hell.”
“So what if it was? She was just a kid, what’s one kid to the Sterling family?”
I watched it all with a cold laugh.
At this point, who should I hate?
Should I hate Seraphina for hiding everything, leading to our entire family being bled dry like blood bags by her, a vampire?
Or should I hate Dominic for instigating all of this, seemingly doing nothing wrong, yet being the one who caused everything to happen?
But ultimately, I had only myself to blame for being blind, for misjudging her.
Not only did I make my mother, even after retirement, do intricate needlework, working herself to exhaustion, unable to sleep for days.
I also caused my daughter to be mocked as a beggar by her classmates, so poor she had to wear hand–me–downs.
“You deserve to die!”
Seraphina viciously kicked Dominic in the chest, showing him no mercy.
Dominic coughed up a mouthful of blood, a mocking smirk on his face.
“But you’re the one who killed them. Why should I be the one to die?”
Seraphina slowly knelt down, gripping Dominic’s jaw.
“If it weren’t for you! They wouldn’t have died.”
Dominic’s voice squeezed out from his throat. He scoffed,
“You think *i* acted on my own? The Sterling family wouldn’t let a useless man and a worthless child stay by your side! After all these years, you’re still as naive as ever! Fool!”
Seraphina looked bewildered, murmuring,
“But I already told my parents that once the bet was over, I would bring them all home. They wouldn’t have to suffer anymore.”
Dominic didn’t waste any more words, just looked at Seraphina with a sneer.
Seraphina suddenly seemed to realize something.
“My parents made you do this?!”
Veins pulsed on her forehead, and the grip on Dominic’s jaw tightened.
I didn’t want to be a part of this farce anymore. I wanted to just leave.
Seraphina flung Dominic aside and grabbed my hand.
Meeting her pleading eyes, my heart no longer beat for her.
“Julian, please don’t go!”
