Chapter 2
At that moment, something inside me died.
There was no apology, no guilt. After he sent the woman away, he lit up a cigarette and, with zero remorse, said,
"Isn't it a shame to spend your whole life with just one person in bed? Why don't we try an open marriage? I'll have my fun, you can have yours, and we just stay out of each other's way.
"You'll still be Mrs. Harper, nothing changes for you. You'll have everything you want. Don't make a fuss, it's not worth it."
An open marriage?
Open marriage? Just hearing those words made me feel even sicker than walking in on him cheating. It destroyed whatever hope I had left for love.
I still remembered how, back in college, he took on a part-time job washing dishes for two whole months, just so he could buy me a birthday present.
In winter, when we kissed out in the snow, he'd slip my freezing fingers into his jacket to warm them up.
When he wanted to propose, he spent countless nights staying up, personally sketching out the perfect engagement ring.
All those moments when he swore he'd love me forever, all the warmth I'd tucked away in my heart, now burned into me, leaving nothing but humiliation and bitter irony.
Turns out, the guy I'd loved since college was just an utterly shameless jerk.
He wrecked me with his betrayal, so there was no way I'd let him get away with it.
Everything suddenly clicked in my mind, and a crazy idea began to form.
I looked up, meeting that disgusting "I'm doing this for you" look on his face. For the first time, a smile finally crept onto my lips.
"Alright then," I said.
If he wanted to play games, I'd make sure to play them right back.
No one would have thought Oliver would end up getting played by his own game.
News of his death spread like wildfire.
People said I hit the jackpot, young widow, filthy rich overnight.
I didn't give a damn about the rumors and just focused on taking care of everything for Oliver.
The very first day of the funeral, Scarlett barged in with her whole clan of relatives.
She marched right past Oliver's memorial photo without even a glance, heading straight for me.
She slapped me across the face with all her strength.
"You wretched jinx! You husband-killing bitch! My son died because of you!" she shrieked.
I pressed my hand to my face, staying silent. My cheek was on fire, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.
My cousin behind me started to step forward, but I shot her a look that told her to stay back.
Seeing I wasn't fighting back, Scarlett's tirade only intensified.
"If you hadn't gotten yourself pregnant, would my son have been so miserable? Would he have had to go out and cheat on you? This is all on you!" Scarlett spat.
"Who even knows if that kid is really Harper blood? My son's dead, and look at you. So carefree, just itching to run off and shack up with some random guy, huh?"
Her words got more vicious with every sentence, and the rest of the relatives started piling on, all shouting their own insults.
Just then, a young woman in a white dress with subtle makeup nervously stepped out from behind Scarlett.
She clung to Scarlett's arm, her belly just starting to show, clearly pregnant.
"Scarlett, please don't get so worked up. It's bad for your health. Larissa didn't do it on purpose..." she murmured.
Scarlett's face softened in an instant, turning all motherly as she patted the girl's hand affectionately.
"My sweet daughter-in-law, you're always so considerate. Rest assured, the baby you're carrying is the true heir of the Harper family. Not a single cent of Oliver's inheritance will be kept from you!" Scarlett declared.
When she finished, she whipped around to face me, her gaze turning vicious.
"Larissa! I'm warning you! Hand over every last penny my son left behind, or I'll make sure you and your brat get kicked out of the Harper family for good!" Scarlett snapped.
I looked at the ridiculous scene unfolding before me and let out a cold, mocking laugh.
I gently rested my hand on my belly, speaking softly, but every word rang out clear for all to hear.
"Don't even think about taking a single penny from the Harper family," I announced.
Scarlett was stunned, not expecting me, the one who always kept quiet, to actually talk back.
"What did you just say? You little bitch, you've got some nerve!" Scarlett shrieked.
She lunged at me again, claws out, but her relatives quickly grabbed her and held her back.
Melissa Nicholson, the woman in the white dress, blinked as her eyes grew misty, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Larissa, I know you're hurting, but you can't treat Scarlett like this. Oliver... he always cared so much about his mom," Melissa pleaded, her voice trembling.
"I'm carrying his child too. Please, don't be so cold..." she choked out, her words barely above a whisper.
I looked at Melissa, unable to hold back a mocking smile. Honestly, she was just pathetic.
"So, tell me, what number are you? Ninety-six? Or did you snag the ninety-seventh spot?" I sneered.
Melissa's face went ghostly pale.
"I don't know what you're talking about..." she murmured, trying to play innocent.
"Don't know?" I scoffed. "I've seen too many of Oliver's side chicks show up at my door, pregnant and hoping to cash in."