Chapter 1
When I posted a wedding photo on Facebook without blocking Albert's old flame, Esme, the next day he brazenly advertised our wedding night on social media as if it were up for auction.
After the ceremony, I found Albert in a private room of a steakhouse, phone in hand, and bantering with his friends.
"A hundred grand for one night—no negotiating on that."
"Albert, even if Adaline's new in town, that’s a hefty sum!"
"Hefty? She's my brand-new wife! Classy goods, folks! Step up or step out!" They all erupted in laughter.
"Seriously, aren't you going to be with her on your wedding night? Aren’t you worried Adaline will be upset?"
"Who told her to flaunt things in front of Esme? Not marrying the woman I truly love was hard enough. Anyway, I’ve got this…" Albert waved around a strip of white pills.
My phone slipped from my grasp, tears stinging my eyes.
"Albert, how many likes are you getting on that wedding night stunt post?"
A sly smile played across Albert's lips. "Plenty."
"Aren’t you worried Adaline will catch wind and confront you?"
"Heh, I’ll just pass it off as a joke. What’s she going to do about it?"
His friends put their hands together in mock admiration, showering him with backhanded compliments.
"Albert, you’re quite the smooth operator. How else did Adaline fall for you? But what did she ever do to tick you off so much to auction off a wedding night?"
Albert raised an eyebrow at the flattery. "She showed off in front of Esme. Not marrying Esme is something I regret every day. If I don't teach her a lesson, she’ll keep boasting around Esme."
Scrolling through his phone, Albert broke into a triumphant grin. "Here it is!"
He held up his phone. "Don't say it’s not worth the price, right? This is a private photo shoot Adaline did. Check out those curves! Isn’t this worth it?"
Cheers and catcalls filled the room. I wanted to burst in and stop him, but my body shook uncontrollably, my throat heavy and painfully tight.
Our marriage was arranged when we were young. Three years ago, when the West family hit financial trouble, Albert suddenly came into my life.
I fell for him instantly and pursued him tirelessly. Before long, he was my boyfriend. With him, steaks were always cooked to perfection, shrimp peeled effortlessly, car doors opened with care, and my favorite dishes appeared at dinner without a word...
His attention and devotion made everyone around envy me. Seeing my happiness, my parents increasingly supported the West family, helping expand their semiconductor market and win two major contracts, which sped up our wedding plans.
Until, a month before the wedding, a woman named Esme showed up, claiming to be Albert's true love.
And how did Albert respond then? He sat across from me, anxiety and hurt in his eyes.
"Adaline, don't fall for Esme's nonsense. You’re the only one I love. Just keep her out of our business, alright? It’s too much hassle."
I believed him, dismissing Esme as a figure of her own fantasies, but now…
After I forgot to block Esme from seeing my wedding photo on Facebook, she posted a tearful video that night. Her eyes were swollen, tears streamed down, her nose catching the glisten of a tear, making her appear utterly pitiful.
Early in the morning, Albert was brought home by his friends, thoroughly drunk. I anxiously asked what happened, and one friend glanced at me, offering only one line:
"He didn’t get to marry the woman he loves."
At the time, I didn’t comprehend his words. Now, they ring painfully clear. Esme was Albert's true love, and I was merely a means to boost the West family.
I stumbled out of the steakhouse, the world tinted red, stinging my eyes. My parents’ warnings echoed in my ears.
I failed—I chose someone who doesn’t love me. Because he doesn’t love me, he disregards my dignity, my feelings, turning me into a mockery, making my most sacred wedding night the butt of a joke.
I walked home alone, looking at the room I had painstakingly decorated and the honeymoon nightwear I had lovingly picked. I covered my face, tears streaming through my fingers...
Until the phone rang.
"Adaline, where are you?"
I wiped my tears. "I’m at..."
Suddenly, the bedroom door burst open.
"Albert, your wife’s sitting alone in the honeymoon suite!"