Chapter 2 · Diamond And Regret

Chapter 2

I looked him in the eye. "This isn't just anger talking. I'm really going through with the arranged marriage. Once we're apart, you'll find someone who's a better match for you."

Joshua exploded in fury, smashing the carefully crafted engagement ring onto the ground.

"Margie! You're my girlfriend, and you're scheming to marry another man? I've given you my all—how can you do this to me? What the hell did I do wrong, or was I just some plaything to kill your boredom?"

He seemed completely derailed, gnashing his teeth as he snarled, "You figure since I love you this much, I won't leave no matter how badly you humiliate me?

"You want to break up? Fine! We're done!"

The moment the words escaped him, the crowd gasped in unison, with reporters and media teams frantically raising their cameras to capture it all.

In my previous life, the media frenzy on our divorce day had been just as chaotic.

He'd groveled, pleading for another shot.

"Margie, you're the only one I truly love. Every guy slips up sometimes—I know I messed up. Please, just one more chance?"

My heart twisted like a knife, and in my anguish, I slapped him across the face. "Get lost."

Then I spun on my heel and walked out, no hesitation.

That very night, the hashtags rocketed to the top of the trends.

Rumors spread like wildfire: I was a gold-digger, a ladder-climber, fickle in love, even set to marry a sugar daddy.

The "heartbroken" Joshua saw it all and promptly cut all ties with me.

I ignored the online hate entirely.

That was when I called my dad. "Dad, I'll go through with the arranged marriage."

If love was doomed to crash and burn like that every time, I might as well start with someone from the right circles.

At least it would mean less drama.

But Dad didn't sound as pleased as I'd anticipated. "You sure about this?"

"Yeah, I am," I said. "I'll tie up loose ends at work soon, then put out a statement retiring from music and head back to Domont for the wedding."

Joshua and I ran into each other again at my new album's release party.

The people buzzing around were all opportunists—now that I'd lost my protector, they didn't hold back on the snide remarks.

"Margie, you're not regretting that rejection, are you? Bet you heard Mr. Ortega was coming for promo and showed up thick-skinned to rekindle the flame, right?"

I stayed quiet, not dignifying it with a response.

As the lead singer on the album, I couldn't control if the investor decided to attend.

There was Shelby, draped in a form-fitting black custom dress, hanging off Joshua's arm.

She looked a bit uneasy, starting to explain. "Margie, it's not like that..."

Joshua's stare drilled into me as he grabbed her hand firmly.

"Why explain to a stranger? You're with me tonight."

Shelby's awkwardness evaporated, her mouth twisting into a smug grin as she gave me a frosty once-over.

Her smile widened, dimples popping at the edges.

"Still, I should clear the air, Margie. The label thinks my voice is a better match for the lead single—it just fits the vibe more than yours. That's why I'm here. I'm not out to snatch your role or anything; it's all thanks to the company and Mr. Ortega believing in me. Don't take it personally, okay?"

Gleeful smirks spread across several faces in the crowd.

When Joshua and I were an item, I'd been the center of attention wherever I went, like a star in orbit.

Now, barely a day post-breakup, and they'd already yanked my spot as lead.

Just like in my previous life.

Same old playbook: strip away the support, elevate the side piece.

As he noticed my ongoing silence, Joshua's dark eyes grew colder, and he couldn't help but take a dig.

"Some folks don't appreciate what they've got—they go out of their way to ditch me. But I get to choose who I promote, don't I, Margie? That said, if you'd just eat a little humble pie, I could..."

I interrupted him, lifting my glass in a toast his way.

"Cheers to you—looks like you've found someone happy to soak up all that luck."

His expression darkened instantly, genuine hurt flashing in those eyes.

He barked out a harsh laugh. "Margie, you've got guts. Ruthless to the core!"

As the party ended, a light snow started falling outside.

I stared blankly at the swirling snowflakes in the sky, and for no particular reason, flashes from my previous life came rushing back.

I began dating Joshua at nineteen. By twenty-two, he'd proposed, and we'd tied the knot.

After we got married, I was his everything. He'd told me, "All I have is yours. My music resources are just for you, Mrs. Ortega—I'll get you anything you want.

"I'll never make you sad in this lifetime."

As the saying went, where the resources flowed, love followed.

In my twelve years in the industry, he'd launched me to superstar status—the best evidence that his love had once been real.

But I'd matched his devotion every step of the way.

I'd married him at the height of my beauty and given birth to his children when my career was at its peak.

I'd been faithful to our love, our marriage, and to him.

Yet he'd decided to keep both his home flower and the wild ones blooming.

Chapter 2

I looked him in the eye. "This isn't just anger talking. I'm really going through with the arranged marriage. Once we're apart, you'll find someone who's a better match for you."

Joshua exploded in fury, smashing the carefully crafted engagement ring onto the ground.

He seemed completely derailed, gnashing his teeth as he snarled, "You figure since I love you this much, I won't leave no matter how badly you humiliate me?

"You want to break up? Fine! We're done!"

The moment the words escaped him, the crowd gasped in unison, with reporters and media teams frantically raising their cameras to capture it all.

In my previous life, the media frenzy on our divorce day had been just as chaotic.

He'd groveled, pleading for another shot.

"Margie, you're the only one I truly love. Every guy slips up sometimes—I know I messed up. Please, just one more chance?"

My heart twisted like a knife, and in my anguish, I slapped him across the face. "Get lost."

Then I spun on my heel and walked out, no hesitation.

That very night, the hashtags rocketed to the top of the trends.

Rumors spread like wildfire: I was a gold-digger, a ladder-climber, fickle in love, even set to marry a sugar daddy.

The "heartbroken" Joshua saw it all and promptly cut all ties with me.

I ignored the online hate entirely.

That was when I called my dad. "Dad, I'll go through with the arranged marriage."

If love was doomed to crash and burn like that every time, I might as well start with someone from the right circles.

At least it would mean less drama.

But Dad didn't sound as pleased as I'd anticipated. "You sure about this?"

"Yeah, I am," I said. "I'll tie up loose ends at work soon, then put out a statement retiring from music and head back to Domont for the wedding."

Joshua and I ran into each other again at my new album's release party.

The people buzzing around were all opportunists—now that I'd lost my protector, they didn't hold back on the snide remarks.

"Margie, you're not regretting that rejection, are you? Bet you heard Mr. Ortega was coming for promo and showed up thick-skinned to rekindle the flame, right?"

I stayed quiet, not dignifying it with a response.

As the lead singer on the album, I couldn't control if the investor decided to attend.

There was Shelby, draped in a form-fitting black custom dress, hanging off Joshua's arm.

She looked a bit uneasy, starting to explain. "Margie, it's not like that..."

Joshua's stare drilled into me as he grabbed her hand firmly.

"Why explain to a stranger? You're with me tonight."

Shelby's awkwardness evaporated, her mouth twisting into a smug grin as she gave me a frosty once-over.

Her smile widened, dimples popping at the edges.

Gleeful smirks spread across several faces in the crowd.

When Joshua and I were an item, I'd been the center of attention wherever I went, like a star in orbit.

Now, barely a day post-breakup, and they'd already yanked my spot as lead.

Just like in my previous life.

Same old playbook: strip away the support, elevate the side piece.

As he noticed my ongoing silence, Joshua's dark eyes grew colder, and he couldn't help but take a dig.

"Some folks don't appreciate what they've got—they go out of their way to ditch me. But I get to choose who I promote, don't I, Margie? That said, if you'd just eat a little humble pie, I could..."

I interrupted him, lifting my glass in a toast his way.

"Cheers to you—looks like you've found someone happy to soak up all that luck."

His expression darkened instantly, genuine hurt flashing in those eyes.

He barked out a harsh laugh. "Margie, you've got guts. Ruthless to the core!"

As the party ended, a light snow started falling outside.

I stared blankly at the swirling snowflakes in the sky, and for no particular reason, flashes from my previous life came rushing back.

I began dating Joshua at nineteen. By twenty-two, he'd proposed, and we'd tied the knot.

After we got married, I was his everything. He'd told me, "All I have is yours. My music resources are just for you, Mrs. Ortega—I'll get you anything you want.

"I'll never make you sad in this lifetime."

As the saying went, where the resources flowed, love followed.

In my twelve years in the industry, he'd launched me to superstar status—the best evidence that his love had once been real.

But I'd matched his devotion every step of the way.

I'd married him at the height of my beauty and given birth to his children when my career was at its peak.

I'd been faithful to our love, our marriage, and to him.

Yet he'd decided to keep both his home flower and the wild ones blooming.