Chapter 3

I let out a sigh and looked at James seriously. "James, didn't your dear Sierra tell you? We're already done."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I saw James's face freeze for a second.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" James shot back.

My face was puffy and bruised, and it hurt so much that just moving my lips made me want to cry.

But I still spoke, carefully enunciating each word. "James, I'm breaking up with you."

James paused for a moment, and then let out a mocking laugh. "Break up with me? Without me, you're nothing. Do you really think anyone else would ever want you?"

I raised my head slowly and looked up at him. "So, in your eyes, I'm just a worthless loser, huh?"

James didn't say a word, but the contempt in his eyes was answer enough.

Before leaving, James shot me a cold warning. "Behave yourself, or I can swap you out for a new bride anytime."

Watching his back as he walked away, I couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

After loading my luggage into the ride I ordered, I leaned back and closed my eyes, trying to rest.

Suddenly, the driver slammed on the brakes, and I almost went flying along with my luggage.

Just as I was about to complain, I caught sight of the car logo.

I froze for a second, totally stunned.

I asked, "Sir, you're driving a Maybach for ride-hailing?"

The driver flashed a subtle smile. "Gotta pay for the Maybach somehow, right?"

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Turned out this driver wasn't just loaded. He was funny as well.

Things got a bit more relaxed, and the driver shot me a look in the rearview mirror.

He said, "Want me to take you to the hospital first? Your face is really swollen."

Still half-doubting, I pulled out my compact mirror. The moment I saw how ridiculously swollen my face was, I let out a shriek.

At the hospital, I winced as I took the ice pack the driver handed me.

I said, "Thank you, sir. Did I make you lose any fares?"

He let out a resigned sigh. "My name's Edward Page."

Then it hit me that I'd been kinda rude just now, so I gave him an embarrassed grin.

Just as I was about to say something, a familiar voice called out from behind me. "Helen, no wonder you wouldn't pick up my calls. Turns out you're dating some other guy at the hospital."

I spun around, and sure enough, there was James, looking like he was asking for a punch, with Sierra grinning smugly at his side.

"Helen, how could you do this to James? He's been so good to you. Don't you feel bad for him?" Sierra said.

What a hypocrite, playing the victim first.

And of course, James totally bought it.

"Sierra, if she were even half as sensible as you, I'd be happy," James said.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Can you stop throwing dirt at me? Just because you love cheating doesn't mean everyone's as trashy as you. This gentleman was just being kind and gave me a ride to the hospital."

That was when James finally noticed my swollen face. He looked like he wanted to say something, but in the end, he just clamped his mouth shut.

He turned his head away, clearly feeling guilty and avoiding my gaze.

"That still doesn't give you an excuse to show up with some stranger," James grumbled.

I clenched my fists, barely holding back my anger.

He messed up my face so badly that the doctor said if I'd come in any later, I could've been disfigured.

But instead of caring, he just started blaming me.

Right then, all I felt was a cold emptiness inside.

Suddenly, Edward pulled me behind him, stepped up as my shield, and fired back with a sneer. "So you're the brat who hurt your girlfriend? Your own girl lands in the hospital and you don't even know?

"Too busy drooling over your mistress, huh? Man, you really make the rest of us look bad."

James had never been roasted like that before. He looked like he'd just been slapped in the face, totally pissed and embarrassed.

"Mind your own business!" he snapped.

I was worried James might actually lose it and start a fight with Edward right there in the hospital, so I shot him a glare and fired back, "Even a guy I barely know is showing me some concern, but all you ever do is blame me.

"James, are you seriously telling me I shouldn't break up with you?"

This was already the third time in the past few days that I'd mentioned our breakup.

James was on the verge of snapping, and with someone else here, it was even worse.

He gritted his teeth and shot me a glare. "Helen, remember, you're the one who wanted to break up. Don't come back to me, sobbing and begging for another chance!"

Never in a million years.