Chapter 3 · My Birthday, His Betrayal

The imported liquor at the bar was all low-quality, barely drinkable, and extra strong.

After just half a glass, cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and my face grew deathly pale.

The stabbing pain in my stomach kept making me retch.

Seeing this, the rich kids didn't dare to push me any further. After all, my status was as high as theirs.

The leader quickly waved his hand, saying, "Alright, alright, Ms. Bennett, you've really got guts. That's enough."

Charles shot him a glare and muttered, "This is so boring.

With that, he stood up. "That's all for today. I'm heading out. Mr. Cooper, we'll continue discussing the partnership tomorrow."

Yulia clung to his hand, her face full of grievance, looking like she was about to cry any second.

Swallowing my disgust, I walked over, grabbed Charles from her grip, and strode out of the bar.

But as soon as we got home, Charles broke free from my hand and suddenly shoved me hard.

I was already dizzy, and caught off guard, I landed hard on the floor.

My stomach was churning so badly I couldn't hold it back anymore. I retched loudly and vomited all over the floor.

Charles's disgust for me deepened.

He said, "Emma, you're so despicable. You actually came all the way here to find me? Don't you have any shame?"

As if he still wasn't done venting his anger, he snatched a vase from the table and smashed it against my forehead.

Blood trickled down my forehead and seeped into the corner of my eye.

I lifted my head, dazed, and for a split second, it felt like I was seeing Charles from years ago.

A burning pain flared up in my stomach.

But even then, Charles stood there in front of me, staring with icy eyes.

In the end, he simply turned and headed straight for the bedroom.

I forced myself to stand up, called a cab, and headed straight to the hospital. After getting my forehead patched up, I didn't even bother going home. I collapsed onto a hospital bed and drifted into a deep sleep.

In my dreams, I kept reliving our memories together.

Back when we first started dating, Charles was really into those cheesy, dramatic romance shows, the ones with homewreckers and amnesia twists.

He always made sure I watched them with him.

After every episode, he'd turn to me with that worried look.

"Hey, what if you lost your memory one day and forgot about me?" he had asked.

I'd chuckle softly and kiss his forehead.

"Don't worry. Even if I forget everyone else, I'll never forget you," I had said.

Charles would happily pull me into his arms.

"Me too," he had said.

But dreams were dreams.

Eventually, one always woke up.

The next day, Yulia cornered me downstairs at the office.

Her eyes were full of jealousy.

"You really have no shame," she said.

"You knew you were the side chick and still went for it. So tell me, who's really shameless here?" I snapped right back.

Yulia didn't say a word; her glare was so intense it almost felt poisonous.

Then she let out a mocking laugh.

Yulia said, "Emma, I know your family's business is falling apart, so you're just clinging to Charles, trying to rope the Evans family into your mess.

"Too bad for you, he loves me now. The real side chick is the one nobody loves, get it?"

I raised an eyebrow at her.

"So, are you here to provoke me?" I asked.

I snatched Charles from her last night, pissed her off, and now she was here to get back at me.

I wasn't about to waste my time on her crap, so I walked away.

Yulia suddenly rushed over and grabbed my arm.

I barely lifted my hand, and she dropped herself onto the floor.

I frowned. I had barely touched her.

Before I could say a word, Yulia suddenly switched to a pitiful look, all her earlier aggression gone in a flash.

"Ms. Bennett, I know you don't like me, but did you really have to ask me out just to humiliate me?" Yulia said.

She held her wrist, tears shimmering in her eyes, looking so fragile and vulnerable.

Yulia said, "You can do whatever you want to me, but I'm begging you; please, stop tormenting Charles. He's free; he shouldn't be used as a pawn in your family's business marriage.

Yulia stood up, sighed, and gave a bitter, compromising smile. "If it matters that much to you, I can leave your world and never show up again."

Chapter 3

The imported liquor at the bar was all low-quality, barely drinkable, and extra strong.

After just half a glass, cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and my face grew deathly pale.

The stabbing pain in my stomach kept making me retch.

Seeing this, the rich kids didn't dare to push me any further. After all, my status was as high as theirs.

The leader quickly waved his hand, saying, "Alright, alright, Ms. Bennett, you've really got guts. That's enough."

Charles shot him a glare and muttered, "This is so boring.

With that, he stood up. "That's all for today. I'm heading out. Mr. Cooper, we'll continue discussing the partnership tomorrow."

Yulia clung to his hand, her face full of grievance, looking like she was about to cry any second.

Swallowing my disgust, I walked over, grabbed Charles from her grip, and strode out of the bar.

But as soon as we got home, Charles broke free from my hand and suddenly shoved me hard.

I was already dizzy, and caught off guard, I landed hard on the floor.

My stomach was churning so badly I couldn't hold it back anymore. I retched loudly and vomited all over the floor.

Charles's disgust for me deepened.

He said, "Emma, you're so despicable. You actually came all the way here to find me? Don't you have any shame?"

As if he still wasn't done venting his anger, he snatched a vase from the table and smashed it against my forehead.

Blood trickled down my forehead and seeped into the corner of my eye.

I lifted my head, dazed, and for a split second, it felt like I was seeing Charles from years ago.

A burning pain flared up in my stomach.

But even then, Charles stood there in front of me, staring with icy eyes.

In the end, he simply turned and headed straight for the bedroom.

In my dreams, I kept reliving our memories together.

Back when we first started dating, Charles was really into those cheesy, dramatic romance shows, the ones with homewreckers and amnesia twists.

He always made sure I watched them with him.

After every episode, he'd turn to me with that worried look.

"Hey, what if you lost your memory one day and forgot about me?" he had asked.

I'd chuckle softly and kiss his forehead.

"Don't worry. Even if I forget everyone else, I'll never forget you," I had said.

Charles would happily pull me into his arms.

"Me too," he had said.

But dreams were dreams.

Eventually, one always woke up.

The next day, Yulia cornered me downstairs at the office.

Her eyes were full of jealousy.

"You really have no shame," she said.

"You knew you were the side chick and still went for it. So tell me, who's really shameless here?" I snapped right back.

Yulia didn't say a word; her glare was so intense it almost felt poisonous.

Then she let out a mocking laugh.

Yulia said, "Emma, I know your family's business is falling apart, so you're just clinging to Charles, trying to rope the Evans family into your mess.

"Too bad for you, he loves me now. The real side chick is the one nobody loves, get it?"

I raised an eyebrow at her.

"So, are you here to provoke me?" I asked.

I snatched Charles from her last night, pissed her off, and now she was here to get back at me.

I wasn't about to waste my time on her crap, so I walked away.

Yulia suddenly rushed over and grabbed my arm.

I barely lifted my hand, and she dropped herself onto the floor.

I frowned. I had barely touched her.

Before I could say a word, Yulia suddenly switched to a pitiful look, all her earlier aggression gone in a flash.

"Ms. Bennett, I know you don't like me, but did you really have to ask me out just to humiliate me?" Yulia said.

She held her wrist, tears shimmering in her eyes, looking so fragile and vulnerable.

Yulia said, "You can do whatever you want to me, but I'm begging you; please, stop tormenting Charles. He's free; he shouldn't be used as a pawn in your family's business marriage.

Yulia stood up, sighed, and gave a bitter, compromising smile. "If it matters that much to you, I can leave your world and never show up again."