Raven woke from a trance and looked at the man in front of her.
The sunlight streamed in from behind him, outlining his figure, highlighting his handsome face and warm, happy expression. His entire presence radiated joy, his smile bright and welcoming—though the corners of his mouth never truly lifted.
"You're one of Sophia's relatives, right? That black cloak looks a little out of place. Sophia might not like it, better not let her see. Come with me..."
The man smiled as he spoke, unbothered by Raven's attire, and began leading her to a seat.
The bride's relatives and friends were seated in the right row, dressed in luxurious clothing adorned with gold and silver, their dazzling presence complementing rather than overshadowing the bride.
After settling Raven into a seat, the man left again, heading toward the door to welcome more guests.
Raven glanced around the church. Everything was filled with warmth, joy, and happiness.
Something was off.
Something was very wrong.
Whenever Raven was with Bardi, she could feel his pain—constant, inescapable pain. He was always tormenting himself. This scene before her... it didn't fit.
If this were purgatory, she would believe it without question. But happiness? That was impossible.
A creeping unease settled over Raven.
This was Bardi's deepest sorrow. The moment that shaped him.
Was this really it?
Her eyes flickered with thought. She needed to find a way to pull Bardi out of this, but there were no clues.
"Why would Sophia choose this guy as a backup plan?"
"Wasn't she still involved with Alex?"
"Look at that stupid grin on his face. It's annoying just to see him so happy."
Raven turned toward the murmuring voices and saw a group of men in expensive suits whispering impatiently about Bardi.
Listening carefully, she pieced together that the women here were dissatisfied with Sophia's choice. They couldn't understand why she would marry someone so ordinary and mediocre.
Raven stood, walked to the man at the door, and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Some people over there are talking badly about you."
She watched Bardi's reaction closely.
Even his appearance here was different, his skin tone, his demeanor. Was this because of his past?
Jayce looked at her in surprise, as if puzzled, but then he smiled warmly. "It doesn't matter. My life isn't defined by their words."
"Thank you. The future will only get better and better."
Jayce adjusted his suit and smiled with a rare confidence, radiating an almost tangible light in the sun.
Raven was momentarily stunned.
She had never seen such a bright, warm, and reassuring smile before. It was infectious, a smile that could warm the hearts of those around him.
Looking at it, she had no doubt—no matter how many setbacks he faced, he would meet them head-on, unfazed.
And yet... the very person who gave him that confidence was the one who ultimately shattered him.
Raven had witnessed it all.
Then, the wedding began.
The bride walked down the aisle, arm in arm with her father, accompanied by the wedding march.
Her father, like the rest of her relatives, looked down on Jayce, clearly displeased with the marriage. But Jayce simply smiled in response, showing no resentment.
He believed, without question, that the future would improve.
As long as he held onto hope, there was always a future.
But life after marriage wasn't easy for Jayce.
Still, he never stopped smiling, always making it seem like he was the happiest man alive.
Raven became incorporeal, watching Jayce's life unfold before her eyes.
Overnight shifts spent hunched over a computer.
Running deliveries in a hurry.
Handing out flyers on the streets.
Bargaining over a few cents in the marketplace, living frugally.
He was cheerful, honest, and warm-hearted, everyone wanted to be friends with him. And they didn't mind taking advantage of him.
Every day, just to see his wife smile, he sacrificed everything he had worked for.
Whether it was Louis Vuitton, Chanel perfume, Chanel dresses, or Dior—he bought them all for her, trying his best to keep her happy.
But in return, his wife sneered at him, mocking him for not understanding luxury brands, fashion, or class.
And each time, he would only smile and say, "It's enough for me to have a wife who understands me."
He laughed foolishly, acting carefree but Raven could feel the sorrow behind it.
Why would he debase himself like this for just one person?
Raven didn't understand.
But she felt a pang of sadness for Bardi.
Then, two months later, his wife became pregnant.
Jayce felt like he had been struck by lightning—stunned, overwhelmed, unable to focus for an entire day.
And then, something changed in him.
He unleashed every ounce of potential he had. He knew that his monthly salary of $1000 was barely enough to afford his wife's cheap luxuries, let alone support a family.
From the moment he learned he was going to be a father, his smile disappeared.
Raven watched as he began lying to his friends, stopped smiling, and desperately borrowed money from everyone he knew.
Within days, he was $70,000 in debt.
He set aside $30,000 as savings for his child's future.
The remaining $40,000, he threw into the stock market.
A month later, he withdrew $150,000.
He had gone mad, squeezing out every last ounce of his intellect, pushing his mind to its limits.
No one could understand how much an orphan like him longed for a happy family, a wife, a child, a place to belong.
People who had families could never comprehend that kind of desperation.
He would give anything—everything—to protect and cherish this family.
He would never let his wife and son suffer the same pain he had endured.
From that moment on, Raven never saw Jayce smile that bright, sunny smile again.
Each day, he woke at four or five in the morning, quietly slipping out so as not to wake his wife.
He spent his days investigating market trends, only returning to take care of his wife's meals before leaving again.
After a week of research, he opened two fruit supermarkets.
His relentless efforts paid off.
By the time his wife was ready to give birth, he had secured a bank loan and expanded his business to seven supermarkets—his assets growing to one million.
It was almost miraculous.
In just six months, he had gone from a salary of $1000 to owning one million in assets.
But in exchange, the smile that had once warmed Raven's heart was gone.
And he had learned how to lie.
The only thing that remained unchanged was his love for his wife.
Everything he did, every sacrifice was for her and their child.
A chill crept up Raven's spine.
Jayce had given too much.
His level of devotion was terrifying.
And the way his wife obliviously enjoyed it all was equally terrifying.
If Jayce ever realized that none of what he had built truly belonged to him…
There was no telling how deep his despair would be.
(To be continued.)
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