Chapter 1
In the eighth year of my relationship with Jacob Davis, a girl suddenly appeared at his side.
She was bold enough to announce to everyone that she’d be in his bed within half a month.
Jacob laughed it off at first, called her ridiculous, then pulled me into his arms and kissed me hard.
"Everyone in the capital knows my heart belongs to you," he said. "Our wedding’s next month. Don’t go overthinking things."
I believed him then.
But on the day of the wedding, he didn’t show up. Instead, his assistant arrived with an entire crate of beer.
"Mr. Davis said," the assistant relayed calmly, "that he’ll appear once you drink a bottle that says ‘Another One’ on the cap."
I knew Jacob was getting back at me for leaking those photos of him and Eugenia Anderson, and for my mom slapping Eugenia right in front of everyone.
This time, I didn't cry or make a scene.
Even when it was time to exchange rings and Jacob pulled out a pair of lace panties instead, I just calmly reached out and took them.
Jacob's eyes flickered with surprise, but then he smiled, clearly pleased.
He pulled me close, his breath warm against my neck.
He said, "Finally figured it out, huh, baby?"
He pinned a signed check to my veil, the paper cold against my skin.
Jacob said, "Go buy yourself something nice. Don't worry, I'll restore all my investments in the White Group."
My fingers were icy, but I just smiled, took the check, folded it up, and placed it gently back in his hand.
I replied softly, "That's not necessary."
He never realized that, because of his vendetta, the White Group was utterly destroyed. To preserve my last shred of dignity, my parents turned on the gas at home and committed suicide.
*****
As soon as the assistant finished talking, the crowd started whispering and gossiping.
"Mr. Davis is really ruthless, embarrassing the White family in front of everyone."
"The White family's nothing like before. It's more than Lauren deserve to have Jacob marrying her. Forget just drinking, even if he made Lauren finish the entire crate, she'd have to go along with it."
I didn't say a word. I quietly bent down and picked up a bottle of beer.
I wrapped my fingers around the cap and twisted it open.
The pop sounded loud and almost harsh in the silent venue.
Jacob stood nearby, watching me, as if waiting for me to smash the bottle, break down, or throw myself into his arms and beg like I used to.
But I didn't.
I kept drinking quietly, saying nothing.
The first bottle cap wasn't printed with "another one."
The second bottle—still no luck.
Back when Jacob was trying to win me over, he loved playing this game with me at midnight food stands.
He was the Davis family's illegitimate son, always hidden away, while I was the White family's darling.
Jacob would grin and say, "Lauren, if the next cap says 'another one,' can I kiss you?"
I'd laugh and tell him, "No need to wait for the 'another one' cap. You can kiss me right now."
Back then, his promises were almost too sweet to bear. Now, every drink was laced with bitterness.
On the fourteenth bottle, I finally hit the jackpot.
Jacob walked up to the stage right away, a satisfied grin tugging at his lips.
He tucked a signed check into my veil, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
He said, "Go buy yourself something nice. Don't worry, I'll put all my money back into White Group."
When I gently pushed the check back to him, Jacob's expression darkened.
He said, "Lauren, after seeing you drank just now, I thought you'd finally grown up."
He tossed the check onto the floor and crushed it under his shoe.
He sneered, "Fine, if you don't want it, let your folks keep carrying the load. They're just a couple of old bones now. Who knows how much longer they can last?"
Whenever he mentioned my family, my fingers couldn't help but tremble.
He still had no clue.
The ones who once shielded me from everything now lay beneath the scorched ruins, reduced to nothing but ashes.
As soon as the ceremony ended, my phone screen lit up.
It was a message from the police.
It read: [Ms. White, the death certificates are ready. Please take care of the arrangements as soon as possible.]
My fingers trembled, and my purse slipped from my hand, falling to the floor.
Almost at the same moment, Jacob's phone started ringing.
It was a special ringtone, and Eugenia's pouting selfie popped up on the screen.
He glanced at the screen, and the irritation on his face melted away, replaced by a tenderness I hadn't seen in a long time.
When he answered, his voice was soft and gentle, like he was soothing a child.
He asked, "Are you having cramps again? Don't be scared, I'll be right there."
He hung up without so much as a glance in my direction, grabbed his car keys, and headed straight out.
I choked out, calling to him, "Jacob."
He stopped for a second, turned to look at me, impatience written all over his face.
He said, "Eugenia's got really bad cramps and no one's with her. I need to go take care of her."