Chapter 2

Later, I found that Alex had gone shopping that day with Grace, who had just come home from abroad, for her birthday.

Alex noticed me, so there was a flicker of panic in his eyes.

Grace moved closer to Alex and timidly called, "Alex."

Alex soon calmed down. In a brittle and harsh voice, he asked, "You are supposed to be looking for the guy who can afford the wedding you want. Why are you here?"

After a pause, he said proudly, "I gave Grace 20 thousand dollars. She isn't greedy at all."

I silently stared at him as the last bit of love for him faded.

My silence irritated Alex, so he raised his voice, "Even if Grace wants 200 thousand dollars, I will be more than glad to satisfy her. There is something one shouldn't ask for."

Then, he lowered his head, and his gaze landed on Grace's face.

The softness in his gaze stung my eyes.

I kept my gaze on him. Suddenly, a smile broke across my face as tears rolled down my cheeks.

I waved the contract in my hand. "I came to terminate the contract. Someone needs the wedding more eagerly than I do."

I heard the clerks in the bridal shop gossip about the love triangle before them.

I looked away and headed towards the clerks.

Behind me, Alex realized that I was serious, so his face turned pale. He stretched his hand to pull me, but it paused in the air.

When he was hesitant, Grace hurriedly held his arm and asked in a sweet voice, "Alex, what's wrong?"

Alex didn't follow me out of the shop.

It was a bit dark outside.

The moment I arrived home, my phone began to buzz. I thought that it might be a call about Alex's apology.

To my surprise, the caller was Danny.

"Come to the underground garage. There is a white car, and its key is right under its windshield." His voice was as deep and steady as always.

Shocked, I ran to the window and found Danny standing in the snow.

"You..." My throat tightened. Then, I remembered the post I had just sent on my way home.

"The car is paid off. It is yours now." After a pause, he added, "Its chassis is high enough for winter."

I bit my lip and then whispered, "Danny, I am sorry. Yesterday, I said yes on the spur of the moment..."

The breathing on the other end of the line became rapid, and the atmosphere became heavy.

Gripping my phone, I was too scared to utter another word.

Danny sneered. Then, his voice turned cold. "On the spur of the moment? Does it mean you took advantage of me to irritate him?"

I opened my mouth to explain myself, but my throat was too tight to make a sound.

Danny sighed. "May," he called. "I don't give a damn about why you said yes. You are the only woman I want to be my wife. I won't accept your refusal."

Then, he hung up the phone.

He didn't give me a chance to argue.

I stayed by the window. I saw Danny linger downstairs and snowflakes land on his shoulders.

Two weeks later, it was Christmas Eve.

I arrived home with a lot of stuff.

My parents waited at the doorway to welcome me.

They were supposed to enjoy their retirement, but they continued to work to make my life easier.

My eyes turned sore as I saw the gray hair on their temples.

I walked into the house, but they still lingered at the doorway and looked around. "Where is Alex? He comes every year, doesn't he?"

My heart ached. It took me quite a while to find a good excuse. "He has a lot of work to do. He can't make it this time."

My parents didn't buy the story. They asked no questions because they found me unhappy.

At dinner, my mom suddenly asked, "May, what did Alex say? Can he spare 30 thousand dollars? You can tell him that we have prepared 600 thousand dollars as your dowry."

Hearing this, I was taken aback.

My family wasn't rich. My dad had devoted himself to education while my mom ran a laundry.

600 thousand dollars must be all their savings.

Alex was rich now, so my parents were afraid that he might look down upon me.

I held back my tears and said in a hoarse voice, "Mom, he can. Don't worry."

I didn't dare to tell my parents the truth.

My dad had been hospitalized for his heart condition not long ago, and the doctor kept repeating that excitement and irritation could kill him.

After dinner, I unpacked my clothes and then gave my parents their respective gifts.

With my parents, I went out to buy some fireworks.