Chapter 1
A week before the wedding, my fiancé Charles Kent called from abroad and broke up with me.
I didn't cry or cause a scene. I just said, "As you wish."
Five days later, he rushed back, dragging along an apologetic intern, Anna Brooks.
"Sorry, Susan. That day, Mr. Kent lost at rock-paper-scissors, so I told him to call and break up with you," said Anna.
I calmly told her to leave.
Charles hurriedly wiped her tears away and then glared at me.
"It was just a joke. Why are you acting like this?" he asked.
I looked down silently. The wedding had been canceled, and now he was telling me it was a joke?
I watched as Charles stepped in front of Anna, like I was something dangerous that he had to keep her away from.
He was so cautious, so protective of her.
But I was the one he used to protect.
Anna peeked out from behind him, her eyes flashing with provocation, but her voice was so plaintive that it almost made me feel sorry for her.
"Susan, it's all my fault. Don't blame Mr. Kent. If you're really upset, just take it out on me," she said.
Charles instantly softened.
"How could this be your fault? We said we'd take responsibility together," he replied.
"Just ignore her. It's all on me. I spoiled her, and now she throws a tantrum over every little thing," he added.
I fought to keep my tears in.
Charles used to promise that as long as he was around, I could be myself and didn't have to swallow my pride.
But now, the moment I asked Anna to leave, suddenly I was the one being unreasonable.
I let out a mocking laugh.
"Well, I guess scumbags attract each other. Hope you stay together forever," I spat.
Anna's face turned red, her eyes welling up.
Charles glared at me, his face dark with fury, as if he could rip me to shreds.
"Susan, you're going too far," he snapped.
I bit my lip, determined not to let them see me break down.
I held back my anger.
I said coldly, "Why are you still here? What? You want me to host your wedding for you right now?"
Charles was shaking with rage as he grabbed Anna and stormed out, slamming the door behind them.
Hot tears streamed down my face. When I finally unclenched my fists, I realized my palms were all bruised from how hard I'd been gripping them.
People always talk about betrayal. Turned out, they weren't lying.
He couldn't even be bothered to make me feel better anymore.
Charles didn't come back until the next morning.
He looked tired, with a trace of impatience, as he put the takeout container down in front of me.
"Come on. Quit being mad. You haven't eaten yet, right? Got you some food," he said.
I didn't say a word and opened the container, glanced inside, and dumped it in the trash.
It was full of seafood. I was seriously allergic to seafood, but Charles had once said his assistant, Anna, was crazy about it.
When he saw what I'd done, a flash of panic crossed his face, but he still tried to play it cool.
"Maybe the chef got it wrong. After you finish trying on the wedding dresses, I'll take you out for something else," he said.
I smiled faintly.
"No need for the wedding dress fitting today. The wedding's off," I said.
Maybe my coldness finally got to him. His eyes burned with anger as he kicked the chair in front of me.
"Susan, stop being so dramatic. Aren't you afraid I'll actually call off this wedding?" he snapped.
He didn't give me a chance to reply, just turned and headed for the bathroom.
In fact, before all this happened, I was worried.
Two months ago, when he was working late, I snuck into the office to surprise him.
But I saw Anna on his lap, and he was kissing her hard and possessively.
There was a desire in his eyes that he hadn't shown for me in a long time.
I went cold all over and stumbled out, barely able to keep myself together.
Then I knew the man I'd spent seven years of my life with had betrayed me.
The only reason I didn't expose him right then was that my brother was still fighting leukemia and needed treatment.