The Wedding That Never Was Chapter 27

[Adrian’s POV]

Endless water engulfed him.

Adrian leaned back in the seat. The airbag seemed to have cracked his ribs.

His lower body was pinned. He had found a dead end with no escape.

Murky river water poured into the cabin through the twisted metal. The engine roared, burning gasoline desperately, the wheels spinning futilely before going silent.

The water rose from the bottom. The leak from the roof soaked his carefully chosen white shirt.

He was drenched.

This outfit wasn't flashy, but it was the closest he could find to the one he wore twelve years ago.

Twelve years ago, at the school talent show...

Someone had secretly labeled him the "School Heartthrob." Everyone expected the boy with the looks and the family background to perform something that would capture every girl's heart.

Even as a teenager, Adrian faced everyone with a cold face. According to his personality, anything unrelated to studying shouldn't be on his schedule.

Unexpectedly, he signed up.

His family wanted him to be a trophy child. His piano skills, practiced from a young age, were only forced out at grand banquets and dinners.

Adrian didn't understand why at first. But as he grew up, his parents' "good intentions" became clear.

Every little girl brought by "Mr. Smith" or "Mr. Jones" would look at him with shining eyes.

Those eyes were filled with spoiled possessiveness—like looking at a beautiful pony or a Barbie doll.

Adrian stopped playing. The music ended abruptly.

Then, he walked off the stage without a word.

His parents were furious. His father even raised his cane.

However, Adrian knelt straight in front of him, his face showing no fear.

The next day, Adrian walked into school surrounded by everyone's gaze.

But this time, he also brought bruises all over his body.

He walked into the registration office, carrying his father's anger and a rebellious heart.

The person at the registration desk smirked maliciously. "Student Hayes, do you mind having a partner? There's a student who signed up for singing who is also alone."

He paused and answered, "Whatever."

Behind him, a timid voice spoke up. "Excuse me..."

Adrian turned around and paused.

A girl with a beautiful face stood at the door. Her uniform was wrapped tightly around her scarred body.

Yet he could still see bloody scratches on her slender neck. And on the back of her hand, which she tried to hide in her sleeve, was a fresh cigarette burn.

This was his first meeting with Ilara. Or rather, his one-sided encounter.

Still bearing the marks of his father's cane, he felt pity for this girl who was riddled with holes.

But she didn't even look at him. Her gaze skipped right over the school heartthrob.

She just walked up to the senior at the desk. "I'm sorry, I can't participate in the show next month."

The senior got anxious. "I already found you a partner. How can you not participate?"

Ilara froze, her expression dimming. "My mom found me a job. I have to wash dishes at the Golden Flower Hotel after school to save up for next semester's tuition..."

"How old are you?" Adrian asked abruptly.

The senior looked surprised, not expecting him to still be there.

"Me? I'm fifteen..." Ilara twisted her sleeve, answering uneasily.

"You're under the legal working age. They won't let you work."

Seeing she wanted to argue, Adrian added decisively, "That's my family's hotel. If I say no, they won't let you."

Ilara was surprised. She stared at his moving pale lips as if she didn't understand what he was saying.

But secretly, she thought he was handsome. Probably the best-looking boy she had ever seen.

"So, you have to participate in the talent show."

Adrian hadn't thought about what losing a job meant for a girl from a poor family. He just wanted her to participate.

So, he made it happen.

Seeing the light slowly return to her eyes, he thought it was gratitude and happiness.

The senior clapped his hands. "Problem solved."

"Since you're both here, I'll arrange the practice room time for you... Oh, right."

He smiled and pointed at each of them.

"You guys should introduce yourselves. Student Ilara, this is your partner, Adrian."

"Student Adrian, this is your partner, Ilara."

Both of them froze.