17%
I had a headache and forced a stiff smile. The moment I closed the door behind me, I finally had a moment of my own peace.
Then, Frederick sent me a message.}
[Gracie, Giselle and I registered our marriage. My mother forced me. Giselle threatened her with the child she’s carrying, and then pretended she would take her own life if I didn’t agree to the marriage. My mother panicked and pressured me into it. But believe me–l never wanted this.]
[The person I truly love has always been you. Unfortunately, I’ll never have the chance to live with you again.]}
I replied flatly, [Why are you explaining all this to me? Your family drama is none of my business. I’m not interested. Since we’ve broken up, the best thing is for us to stay out of each other’s lives.]}
A little while later, Frederick sent another message–this time along with a photo.
The photo showed his hands crafting our rings himself. His fingers were scratched, and even his fingerprints were worn from the grinding process.
[Gracie, I’m sincere. That ring was made with all my heart–I truly wanted to place it on your finger. I never imagined a car accident would make me lose the most precious memory of my life.]
I sighed deeply. Even now, Frederick was making excuses for his cheating.”
[Frederick, your cheating and engraving Giselle’s name on that ring weren’t caused by memory loss. You insulted me in your brothers‘ group chat and shared flirtatious photos with Giselle–not because you forgot. Are you really trying to justify yourself?]}
He hurriedly denied it, saying that wasn’t what he meant.}
had no patience for his nonsense anymore–I’d heard it all before.}
After that day, I no longer felt anxious about Frederick.}
I followed Azrael back to Florida and took a job as his assistant general manager.
He treated me well–never took me to drinking parties, and if anyone tried to offer me a drink at a banquet, he’d shield me.}
One day, Azrael brought me to a friend’s first birthday party when I received a wedding invitation from Giselle.
She seemed worried I wouldn’t come, so she sent a long message full of barbs and insults–her usual routine.}
When I didn’t respond, she added one more line.
[By the way, if you can’t make it, we’ll see you in Florida. Frederick and I are hosting a party there, so don’t forget to bring your boyfriend and be on time!]}
[We’ll see when the time comes. I’m really busy with work, so whether I can make it depends on my schedule.]}
Giselle was annoyed when she realized her plan wasn’t working.
[Gracie, stop pretending you were kicked out of your house. Don’t think I don’t know how pathetic your life is.]}
[Oh really?] I raised an eyebrow. [Funny–I wasn’t even aware of how miserable my life is.]}
That seemed to anger Giselle enough that she stopped messaging me.
Almost two months later, Frederick and Giselle held a high–profile wedding. By then, Giselle’s baby bump was obvious, and her bulky wedding dress made her look like a penguin.
I sent Frederick a wedding gift with no congratulations.”
Then I threw myself back into work.
I never expected Frederick and Giselle to choose Florida for their honeymoon.}
They invited me to meet them, and I didn’t want to refuse.
Months later, Frederick had grown thin. The smiling man I once knew was gone–his eyes were hollow, and his face expressionless.} Giselle was still bulky, her eyes were swollen and a little scary.
She kept up her old act, twisting her thick waist and acting affectionately in front of Frederick–right in front of me.
It was painful to watch.
“Didn’t expect to run into you on our honeymoon, Gracie. I heard you joined Azrael’s company–is it as his personal secretary or his kept woman?”
Giselle’s words were blunt and rude. Even Frederick frowned but said nothing.”
Judging by his tortured, lifeless expression, he’d probably given up fighting.
I didn’t even bother responding.
I snorted coldly and glanced at my watch.
“What small world, Who would’ve thought we’d run into each other on your honeymoon?” I said, my tone light. “At first, I thought you came here just to show off. But now, I guess you’re not that petty after all.“}
