Chapter 23°
Virginia’s POV
Fordy stood beside me, his face dark as a storm. The moment Slade reached out like he was about to take my hand, my soon–to–be husband landed a punch straight to my ex’s jaw.
“Touch her again and see what happens! You’re the reason she suffered so much–how dare you show your face to her now?”
Slade collapsed onto the ground, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth. But he didn’t fight back. Instead, he looked up at me, his eyes wild and desperate, like a child lost in a nightmare.
“Virginia, tell me the truth. Lie to me if you have to. But please, just tell me… Do you not love me at all anymore?”
I said nothing.
His eyes flickered with a sudden, pitiful hope. “You’re hesitating, aren’t you? You still care. I can see it–you still care about me.“}] My voice came quiet but clear.
“I did love you–so much that I lost myself. But I’ve learned something since then. Real love isn’t something you beg for on your knees, hoping for scraps.
“Slade, the moment you and Millicent went behind my back, you should’ve known this was how it would end.”
He suddenly clutched his head, slumping to the ground like his world had caved in. His sobs were low and raw–not the cry of a proud man, but the guttural grief of someone who’d just lost the love of his life.
Covering his face with trembling hands, he whispered, “I thought I still had a chance… I thought you’d come back to me… How come you’re marrying someone else…”
I turned away slowly. I couldn’t bear to look at him anymore.
My voice was laced with bitter finality.
“You never had a chance. The moment we lost our baby, you and I were done. Slade, let’s not make this uglier than it already is. Let me walk away without hating you.“}
Fordy wrapped an arm around my waist, gently murmuring, “You’re safe now. I’m here.”
Slade flared, struggling to his feet like a man possessed.
“Bastard! You don’t deserve her! You schemed your way into her heart–this is all your fault! You took advantage of us when we were vulnerable-”
Fordy turned with a cold smirk. “You think you mattered that much? She chose me because you stopped being worthy of her long ago.“) Slade stared at him in surprise. “What… What did you do to her? Why would she marry you?”
Fordy’s gaze was glacial. “I did one thing–everything you should’ve done. I gave the love she needed. I carried the pain she couldn’t bear. I carried her.
“You did nothing and thought you could still win. Do you think love is a transaction? She’s not a prize. She’s a person. The one I’ll spend my life protecting.”
Slade’s lips trembled. He couldn’t say another word.
“You want to talk about schemes?” Fordy said, looming over Slade with a cruel chuckle. “Then watch closely. I’ll show you what real schemes look like.“@
Slade didn’t grasp what Fordy meant–the former was too caught up in his fury to realize. He’d always dismissed Fordy, thinking of him as a harmless pretty boy.
If it weren’t for me getting angry, Slade would’ve tried clinging to me longer. But the company couldn’t do without him, so he had to return ahead of schedule.
Rhett’s POVE
At Forsyth & Co. Holdings, the building blazed with lights. The board was in chaos.
“We’re down another seven points! That’s three consecutive trading days! The new VP slammed the table.
“The other side was prepared. They’ve targeted every department, every asset, even our overseas markets. We can’t catch a break!” “Where the hell is Mr. Forsyth?!”
No one dared answer. But I muttered, “He’s… still at the bar.“a
Slade’s POV
In a dimly lit private room, empty bottles piled high &
I sat slouched on the couch, my suit rumpled, my shirt creased, stubble shadowing my hollow face.
In my arms was a small black velvet box. I opened it with trembling hands.
Inside was a delicate white porcelain urn.
