A strained smile touched Queena''s lips. She instinctively nced at Oscar, but he wasn''t looking at her; he was politely greeting an acquaintance.


    Mrs. James Sr. held Queena''s hand and chattered on for some time, but Queena''s mind was elsewhere, the words going in one ear and out the other.


    Her eyes scanned the ballroom, as if searching for someone. When she spotted Teresa and Jeffrey in a corner, she started to walk toward them, but after only two steps, Oscar stopped her.


    "Where are you going?" he asked, an eyebrow raised in a semnce of a smile. But the sight of that smile sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. "I saw my mother. I just wanted to say hello."


    At her words, Oscar nced in Teresa and Jeffrey''s direction.


    "She''s not your real mother, and he''s not your real brother. They threw you out of the house. It''s best to keep your distance. From now on, you just need to focus on being the future Mrs. Rogers and do as you''re told."


    With that, he reached out and patted Queena''s head. His touch seemed gentle, but his dark eyes were utterly devoid of warmth.


    "Oscar, you and your fiancée are so affectionate. It''s truly enviable,” a soft female voice suddenly said from behind them.


    Oscar''s hand was still on Queena''s shoulder as he turned to see Ynda approaching on Bet''s arm, her eyes curved into a brilliant smile.


    “Bet, Ynda," Oscar said, his own warm, gentlemanly smile returning as he greeted them. His gazended on Ynda, and for the first time, it held a flicker of warmth.


    "Mr. Rogers," Bet said, his tone t. He didn''t even nce at Queena, simply acknowledging Oscar.


    In his eyes, the daughter of a man like Mr. Thompson was beneath his notice.


    Oscar replied with a nod. Neither of them mentioned Queena, as if she were invisible.


    "You used to call Oscar by his first name. Why the sudden formality? It sounds a bit strange," Ynda said still Clinging to Bet''s arm with a gentle smile:


    Bet nced at her before replying coolly, "My cousin has been


    gone for many years, and Mr.


    Rogers now has a fiancée. It would be inapproprate to continue addressing him so informally."


    Ynda seemed to realize her blunder. She looked at Queena with an apologetic expression. “I''m so sorry, Ms. Spencer. I didn''t mean anything by it."


    Queena just shook her head, saying nothing.


    "I''m sure Oscar picked out your ne himself, Ms. Spencer. He''s always had such impable taste. The ne is as beautiful as you are."


    Ynda''s praise was delivered with a sweet smile, her eyes clear and innocent.


    Queena, feeling dizzy and exhausted fromck of sleep, had no energy for pleasantries. She offered a faint smile in response.


    "Where is Mr. James Sr.? Bet, let''s go wish him a happy birthday," Ynda suggested.


    Bet nodded, and the two of them walked toward Mr. James Sr.


    Oscar watched Ynda leave, the smile on his face slowly fading. His gaze fell back


    to Queena, and his fingers mped onto her chin.


    To any observer, they looked like an affectionate couple.


    But only Queena knew the crushing force of his grip. The pain was so intense that tears welled in her eyes.


    "Are you deaf? Didn''t you hear


    Ynda talking to you? Standing et


    there without a word-is that how you want to represent the Rogers family? utterly without manners?


    "I... I was distracted. Oscar, I won''t do it again," Queena stammered, her voice choked with unshed tears.