Chapter 5

The news of the Vance and Miller families marrying exploded all over social media.

The wedding cost eighty million dollars.

Ethan’s parents were thrilled.

They gifted Chloe ten million dollars in cash and a prime commercial building in downtown Manhattan.

Ethan's friends were spamming their group chat on Snapchat:

[I knew they’d end up together.]

[We finally got rid of that gold-digger. If she found out the "100 proposal tests" was actually Ethan’s idea to make Chloe laugh, she’d lose her mind.]

[That’s nothing. Remember when Sera almost got assaulted and Ethan played the hero to win her over? That was Chloe's idea too, and Ethan agreed without a second thought.]

They seemed to have forgotten I was still in the group.

I read every single word.

Each letter felt like a dagger to my chest.

My entire body went numb with cold.

We had met at an art gallery.

Ethan claimed it was love at first sight and pursued me relentlessly.

At the time, I didn't know if he had recognized my real identity or if he was just lusting after me.

I kept rejecting him.

Until one night, I was grabbed by some thugs on the street.

Ethan appeared out of nowhere, taking a knife to the shoulder to save me.

Even as he bled, he held me and wiped my tears.

"You look prettier when you smile. Don't cry. If I die, at least nobody will bother you anymore."

For ten years, I used that single memory to forgive him a thousand times over.

But now, reality told me even that was a lie.

My heart felt like it was dissolving in acid.

I stared at the screen until a notification from Ethan popped up.

[There's still thirty minutes left. It's not too late to regret your choice.]

[Sera, if you show up at the venue and apologize to Chloe and me in front of everyone, I’ll take you back.]

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

I blocked him on everything.

I packed my bags and walked out.

Chloe was waiting for me in the lobby, a smug smile on her face.

"You saw the messages?"

"Did you do that on purpose?"

"I just wanted to help you see reality," Chloe sneered. "A prince like Ethan was never going to marry a charity case like you."

"You were just his toy while I was away. Now that I'm back, it’s time to return what’s mine."

I let out a cold laugh.

"Then congratulations."

"A trashy man for a trashy girl. You two deserve each other."

Chloe’s eyes narrowed, but she quickly recovered.

"All you have is your mouth, Sera. But guess what? Your miscarriage three years ago? It wasn't an accident."

My pupils dilated.

That baby was a scar I never dared to touch.

It was because of that loss that I felt guilty toward Ethan, enduring his friends' humiliations for years.

"It was Christmas. I flew back to surprise Ethan," Chloe whispered maliciously. "But he wanted to spend it with you. He even said he wanted to end the game and settle down."

"I lost my mind. I was the one who caused your car crash."

"I was terrified, but Ethan comforted me. He said his parents wouldn't have accepted the kid anyway, so it was for the best."

"He told me he’d keep it a secret from you forever."

Chloe’s proud smirk burned into my brain.

But Ethan had told me he was looking forward to that baby.

He had said his mother was finally going to let me into the family, but because I failed to protect the child...

I had slipped into severe depression, unable to sleep for six months.

And it was all a lie?

I burst into hysterical laughter, tears streaming down my face.

So this was what it felt like to have your soul completely crushed.

Chloe mockingly handed me a tissue.

I ignored her.

As I turned to leave, I heard Ethan's voice complaining nearby.

"Why isn't she here yet?"

"I thought you said she’d come crawling back once the wedding started?"

"Just wait a bit longer," Chloe replied smoothly. "If she doesn't show up, I'll just have to marry you instead."

"Stop joking. You're like a sister to me."

I didn't look back. I boarded the private jet my parents had sent for me.

At the same time, I couriered the shattered glass bracelet and a recording of Chloe's confession directly to the wedding venue.

Ethan waited and waited, but I never showed up.

As the ceremony neared, panic began to set in.

Suddenly, a figure appeared.

He gasped in relief, but when he got closer, it was a stranger.

"Are you Ethan Vance?"

"This is a wedding gift from Seraphina Belmont. She insisted you open it immediately."

"What is this?"

Ethan opened the box. The shattered glass bracelet fell to the floor, breaking into even smaller pieces.

And then, the recording began to play.

Ethan's hand shook, the color completely draining from his face.