Waking Up (1)

As Feng Suyin cautiously slipped out of the ornate dressing room, her heart pounded with a mixture of fear and anticipation, threatening to burst out of her chest. The opulent bridal shop was deserted, with no store assistants in sight. She couldn't help but take in her surroundings, admiring the luxurious fabrics and intricate designs adorning every corner, but her mind was consumed with a sense of unease.

This place was known to cater only to the wealthiest and most influential individuals, where a single dress could easily cost the annual income of a middle-class family. Unsurprisingly, her family and Ji Hanjun's wealthy Ji family had chosen this exclusive boutique for their wedding preparations.

The secluded area was closed off to other patrons tonight, ensuring complete privacy for the bride-to-be. However, as Feng Suyin took a moment to appreciate the extravagant setting, she couldn't shake off the feeling that her sister Feng Yilan had ulterior motives for choosing this place. After all, Feng Yilan had always been drawn to luxury and extravagance. The stark contrast between the opulence and her own emotional turmoil was almost unbearable.

But tonight, Feng Suyin's heart was not just heavy, it was shattered with betrayal and hurt. The man she loved, Ji Hanjun, the man she was set to marry, had used their relationship as a tool to get closer to her sister and their affluent family. The rain poured heavily outside, mirroring the storm of emotions raging within her heart.

The door to another private dressing room was slightly ajar, revealing bright light seeping through it. With each step towards it, Feng Suyin's heart sank as she heard faint voices coming from inside.

As her hand trembled against the doorknob, she realized with a jolt that this wasn't just a facade Feng Yilan had prepared to make a fool of her—this was a reality she was about to confront.

Despite being located on the third level of the boutique, the distant voices grew louder, echoing in Feng Suyin's ears as she pushed open the door. Her worst fears were confirmed when she recognized Ji Hanjun's voice, followed by a familiar woman's laughter.

Initially, Feng Suyin wondered if Feng Yilan had intentionally lied to her to cause pain and jealousy. After all, Ji Hanjun had never been involved in their wedding preparations and had often left Feng Suyin to her own devices.

But now, as she listened to Feng Yilan and Ji Hanjun's conversation, it was clear that their relationship was a sham. And with each word spoken, Feng Suyin felt another piece of her heart shatter into a million tiny fragments. She couldn't believe that the man she loved and trusted would betray her like this.

"Stop messing around, babe. What if someone sees us?" Ji Hanjun's voice echoed faintly through the hallway, followed by a woman giggling softly.

Feng Suyin couldn't bear to hear anymore and turned to leave when she heard Feng Yilan's seductive voice reply, "Even if someone sees us, it's none of their business."

"But if Feng Suyin sees us…" Ji Hanjun continued, "We can't afford to upset her now. Not when she hasn't finished the research study your family funded."

"Shh…." Feng Suyin watched as Feng Yilan pushed Ji Hanjun against the wall, wrapping her slender arms around his neck.

"You would have to be silent then. The walls might be thin, but I already kept her occupied. Knowing Yin-Jie, she would want her dream wedding to be perfect. She would surely beat herself, worrying about every little detail."

Feng Suyin froze in shock as she watched them, a hand covering her mouth. The words they exchanged cut through her like a knife—they were using her for their own gain. And in that moment, she realized that she had never really known or understood either of them.

As tears threatened to spill from her eyes, Feng Suyin watched helplessly as Feng Yilan and Ji Hanjun kissed passionately. How could they do this to her?

But even as she stood there, unnoticed by the two people who had just shattered her heart, Feng Suyin couldn't deny the memories flashing through her mind.

From the moment she met Ji Hanjun until he proposed on bended knee, every moment was etched in her memory like a beautiful dream. She had finally found someone who truly loved and cherished her - something she had never experienced with her adopted family.

Despite living in Feng Yilan's shadow and struggling to find genuine love due to her family name, Feng Suyin believed that Ji Hanjun was different. Yet here he was, cheating on her sister without any shred of guilt or remorse.

As a single tear rolled down her cheek, Feng Suyin realized she was the only one who had ever been indeed in love. And as she listened to Feng Yilan's words about keeping her "occupied" and Ji Hanjun's concern for not upsetting her during their family-funded research study, Feng Suyin couldn't help but feel like a pawn in their twisted game of lies and deception.

Her hands clenched into tight fists, her nails digging into the palms of her hands. The words she had just heard echoed in her mind, confirming that what she had experienced was not a dream but a harsh reality. A reality where she was betrayed by the man she loved and her own sister. But Feng Suyin refused to accept this fate without a fight. She was determined to change the course of her life, even if it meant facing her deepest fears.

With a deep breath, she tried to calm the storm of emotions raging inside her. Yet, as she watched them through the small crack in the dressing room door, anger surged through her like a wave crashing against the shore. Anger at Ji Hanjun for his betrayal, anger at Feng Yilan for her heartlessness, and anger at herself for being blind to their deceit. Her tears of sadness transformed into tears of rage, fueled by bottled-up emotions.

Feng Suyin couldn't believe how deeply they had deceived her. How long had Ji Hanjun and Feng Yilan been carrying on this affair behind her back? It made her question everything about their relationship. Had he ever truly loved her or was she just a pawn in their game?

The thought of revenge crossed her mind, but Feng Suyin had always been the quiet one, keeping her true feelings hidden away. Now, a fire burned within her, threatening to consume everything in its path.

She stood there in silence, watching them with a heavy heart and churning emotions. She knew she couldn't let them get away with this betrayal. She needed to confront them, expose their lies and show them that she was not someone to be used and discarded. But Feng Suyin also knew that fighting them head-on would only lead to more pain for herself.

Mustering all the courage she had, Feng Suyin tiptoed out of the dressing room and swiftly gathered her belongings. As she made her way down the corridor of the bridal shop, she could hear the shop assistants trying to stop her amidst the pouring rain. But she paid no attention and hailed a taxi, giving the driver an address with a steely look in her eyes.

As the taxi pulled away from the bridal shop, Feng Suyin dialed her best friend Xia Lingling's number on her phone. Her voice trembled as she spoke, a mix of anger and sadness clear.

"Lingling," she said, "I need your help. Are you free right now?"

Xia Lingling's voice filled with concern and worry on the other end of the line.

"What's wrong, Suyin? You sound upset. Of course, I'll come. Just tell me where you are."