Chapter 2
Jake's voice suddenly softened. "Most of the Harmon family's money is gone anyway. Alice doesn't have much value left.
"When Fiona returns, I'll pretend to regain my memory and realize that she has always been my true love."
Larry burst out laughing. "That's brilliant. So what happens to Alice?"
Jake let out a short, dismissive laugh. He tossed the ring into the air and caught it again as the diamond flashed under the light. "Does it matter? She was just something to pass the time."
Alice stepped back in shock and bumped into a flower stand in the hallway. The noise made both men inside turn toward the door.
It swung open. Jake stood there, his expression shifting instantly back into that familiar, gentle mask. "Alice? What are you doing here?"
She looked at him, at the face she had loved for three years. In that moment, he felt like a complete stranger.
Images rushed through her mind. She remembered the bandages wrapped around his head after the kidnapping. She remembered the confusion in his eyes the first time he said he didn't recognize her.
She remembered the burns on her hands from learning to cook for him. She remembered that she gave up her chance to study abroad.
She remembered the argument with her father when she insisted on staying by his side no matter what. She remembered the ninety-nine nights she put on a wedding dress, only to take it off in tears.
Every single moment had been part of a lie.
"I came to ask what time we're going to register our marriage tomorrow," she said.
Jake reached out to touch her face, but she stepped back.
Jake looked concerned. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just tired," she said with a forced smile. "I'm going to rest."
As she turned away, her hand pressed lightly against her stomach.
Relief quietly filled her chest. At least he didn't know about the baby.
Back in her room, Alice locked the door. She stared at the pregnancy report for a long time before slowly tearing it into tiny pieces.
Then she picked up her phone and called her father. "Dad, get the plane ready. I'm leaving in seven days. Yes, I'm leaving for good."
*****
Alice's phone kept vibrating without stopping. Jake's name flashed on the screen again and again.
She silenced it. Then she took out a small recording device.
She had slipped it onto Jake before the wedding.
She had not slept at all the night before. She had already made up her mind.
If he wanted to act, she would stay in the role until the very end.
The recording began to play.
"Is everything ready?" Larry asked.
"Of course," Jake replied calmly. "When it's time to exchange rings, I'll act like I don't remember her again. Then someone will step forward and expose Alice for cheating.
"We already prepared fake evidence. I want her reputation destroyed in front of everyone."
There was a short pause. "Jake, she gave up everything for you," Larry said more quietly this time. "She even left her family. Don't you feel anything at all?"
"Never," Jake answered without hesitation. "Her biggest mistake was using her power to hurt Fiona.
"Fiona had nothing, but she was kind and hardworking.
"Alice had everything, and she still bullied Fiona and forced her out of the country."
Alice's nails dug into her palms.
Three years ago, she had come home early from a trip, hoping to surprise Jake.
Instead, she found Fiona lying almost naked in their bed, and Jake was unconscious.
Alice had stayed calm. She called an ambulance, then spoke to Fiona alone.
She gave Fiona a choice. "You could either leave the country, or I'll let the truth go public. I'm giving you one last shred of dignity."
Fiona broke down in tears. "I really love him. I just—"
Alice replied, "Love doesn't give you the right to drug someone. Leave today, or deal with the consequences."
In Jake's eyes, that made her the villain.
Everything he had done to her over the past three years had been revenge for another woman.
"I want everyone to hate Alice." Jake's voice continued in the recording. "She deserves it."
"Miss, we're at the hospital," the driver said, pulling Alice back to reality.
"Okay. Thank you," she replied.
Standing outside the operating room, Alice placed a hand over her stomach.
"I'm sorry," she whispered softly. "I can't bring you into a world like this. I can't let you have a father like him."
*****
At the wedding venue, Jake stood at the altar. His expression grew darker by the second.
The guests whispered endlessly, and the host tried to keep the atmosphere from falling apart.
"Where is the bride?" Jake's mother asked anxiously. "What is going on?"
Jake said nothing. The unease in his chest turned into panic.
Alice had never missed anything important. Even after ninety-nine times of humiliation, when he pretended not to remember her, she said nothing and returned the next day, still full of hope, ready to prepare for the next wedding.