Chapter 2 · Runaway Groom, Broken Bride

Early the next morning, with my luggage all packed, I went to the law firm to submit my resignation.

My manager was still trying hard to convince me to stay, chatting away, when Percival walked in with some files.

My gaze slid over, and I noticed a hickey on his neck, plus he was surrounded by a peachy scent.

It was clear he'd really indulged himself last night.

Back then, he really couldn't stand it when I left any marks on him, always saying it would ruin his professional image.

So whenever things got passionate, I'd do my best to restrain myself, or just dig my nails into the sheets instead.

It was not that he didn't want marks on him. He just didn't want mine.

As soon as he walked in, my manager let out a sigh and spoke up. "Just in time. Maybe you can try to talk your girlfriend out of quitting. Did you guys get into a fight or something?"

"It's got nothing to do with him," I replied coolly.

"You're quitting?" He spoke at the same time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him staring right at me, lips pressed tight.

"So it really was because I called off the wedding at the last minute yesterday, huh? You were mad about that," he said.

Seeing this, my manager quietly slipped out, leaving us alone.

The moment the door closed, he stepped up to me, his tone sharp. "I already told you, Bella hurt her leg yesterday, and that's why I canceled. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

I forced myself to stay calm, met his eyes, and spun a lie.

"I'm not upset, really. I'm quitting because I'm just exhausted. I need some time off, maybe a vacation," I said.

He crossed his arms, his brows knitting together in puzzlement.

"If you want a break, just use your vacation days. Quitting all of a sudden will make everyone think you've got some issue with Bella.

"She's just a young woman with a low tolerance for pressure. How's she supposed to keep working at the law firm if you do this?" he said.

He forgot.

I'd already burned through all my vacation days this year, all spent on the weddings he kept calling off.

But the only thing he cared about was how Bella would manage at the law firm.

A wave of cold, bitter sadness washed over me.

My eyes drifted back to the mark on Percival's neck, but I kept quiet.

Noticing my stare, Percival reflexively reached up to cover his neck.

"It's just a mosquito bite, alright? Stop imagining things," Percival said.

I was honestly a bit taken aback. Percival didn't pick a fight with me like he usually would. Instead, he actually tried to explain himself.

But his excuse was so unconvincing. If this had been the past, I probably would've fallen for it.

I just nodded, saying nothing.

Percival let out a sigh of relief, thinking I was over it. He grinned and slung his arm around my shoulders.

"That's more like it. You got to be magnanimous if you want to make it as a top lawyer," he said.

"And stop talking about quitting, alright? How about I take you to the Lunaline Hotel for dinner tonight? Consider it my way of making it up to you," he added.

I still didn't say a word, and he just assumed I'd agreed.

I'd originally planned to have a proper goodbye with him, but now I just pushed those thoughts down. I didn't want to tell him I was leaving for Jinsland anymore.

"Hey, Percival." Bella burst in without even knocking.

Percival jumped and quickly let go of me.

Bella gave an embarrassed little smile. "Sorry for crashing your date, Percival and Lilian, but I really had no choice. I'm totally lost with this case."

Without even glancing back at me, Percival walked straight over to Bella, took the file from her hands, and leaned in to gently ask her what she was struggling with.

Bella deliberately got way too close to him, and the two of them whispered to each other right in front of me, creating their own little bubble and leaving me out in the cold.

Then Bella slipped her arm through Percival's and led him out. As the door closed, she turned back and flashed me a smug, provocative smile.

With a bang, the room was silent, save for the sound of my own breathing.

Suddenly, the emerald bracelet on my wrist fell and shattered across the floor, for no reason at all.

That bracelet was Percival's gift to me on our one-year anniversary. Back then, he told me he wanted our relationship to be just like that bracelet, whole and unbroken, lasting forever.

I stood there for a long time, not caring about the pain from the cuts as I picked up the shattered pieces. Along with all the lingering feelings I still had for us, I threw it all away into the trash.

Chapter 2

Early the next morning, with my luggage all packed, I went to the law firm to submit my resignation.

My manager was still trying hard to convince me to stay, chatting away, when Percival walked in with some files.

My gaze slid over, and I noticed a hickey on his neck, plus he was surrounded by a peachy scent.

It was clear he'd really indulged himself last night.

Back then, he really couldn't stand it when I left any marks on him, always saying it would ruin his professional image.

So whenever things got passionate, I'd do my best to restrain myself, or just dig my nails into the sheets instead.

It was not that he didn't want marks on him. He just didn't want mine.

As soon as he walked in, my manager let out a sigh and spoke up. "Just in time. Maybe you can try to talk your girlfriend out of quitting. Did you guys get into a fight or something?"

"It's got nothing to do with him," I replied coolly.

"You're quitting?" He spoke at the same time.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught him staring right at me, lips pressed tight.

"So it really was because I called off the wedding at the last minute yesterday, huh? You were mad about that," he said.

Seeing this, my manager quietly slipped out, leaving us alone.

The moment the door closed, he stepped up to me, his tone sharp. "I already told you, Bella hurt her leg yesterday, and that's why I canceled. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?"

I forced myself to stay calm, met his eyes, and spun a lie.

"I'm not upset, really. I'm quitting because I'm just exhausted. I need some time off, maybe a vacation," I said.

He crossed his arms, his brows knitting together in puzzlement.

"If you want a break, just use your vacation days. Quitting all of a sudden will make everyone think you've got some issue with Bella.

"She's just a young woman with a low tolerance for pressure. How's she supposed to keep working at the law firm if you do this?" he said.

He forgot.

I'd already burned through all my vacation days this year, all spent on the weddings he kept calling off.

But the only thing he cared about was how Bella would manage at the law firm.

A wave of cold, bitter sadness washed over me.

My eyes drifted back to the mark on Percival's neck, but I kept quiet.

Noticing my stare, Percival reflexively reached up to cover his neck.

"It's just a mosquito bite, alright? Stop imagining things," Percival said.

I was honestly a bit taken aback. Percival didn't pick a fight with me like he usually would. Instead, he actually tried to explain himself.

But his excuse was so unconvincing. If this had been the past, I probably would've fallen for it.

I just nodded, saying nothing.

Percival let out a sigh of relief, thinking I was over it. He grinned and slung his arm around my shoulders.

"That's more like it. You got to be magnanimous if you want to make it as a top lawyer," he said.

"And stop talking about quitting, alright? How about I take you to the Lunaline Hotel for dinner tonight? Consider it my way of making it up to you," he added.

I still didn't say a word, and he just assumed I'd agreed.

I'd originally planned to have a proper goodbye with him, but now I just pushed those thoughts down. I didn't want to tell him I was leaving for Jinsland anymore.

"Hey, Percival." Bella burst in without even knocking.

Percival jumped and quickly let go of me.

Bella gave an embarrassed little smile. "Sorry for crashing your date, Percival and Lilian, but I really had no choice. I'm totally lost with this case."

Without even glancing back at me, Percival walked straight over to Bella, took the file from her hands, and leaned in to gently ask her what she was struggling with.

Bella deliberately got way too close to him, and the two of them whispered to each other right in front of me, creating their own little bubble and leaving me out in the cold.

Then Bella slipped her arm through Percival's and led him out. As the door closed, she turned back and flashed me a smug, provocative smile.

With a bang, the room was silent, save for the sound of my own breathing.

Suddenly, the emerald bracelet on my wrist fell and shattered across the floor, for no reason at all.

That bracelet was Percival's gift to me on our one-year anniversary. Back then, he told me he wanted our relationship to be just like that bracelet, whole and unbroken, lasting forever.