Chapter 2
Nick wasn't always like this.
Back in high school, a few guys in my class made nasty jokes about me, saying I was cursed and that my bad luck caused my parents' deaths.
At that moment, the world's malice overwhelmed me.
I locked myself in my room, crying so hard I could barely breathe.
Being a teenager, I was extra sensitive. I couldn't help but wonder if maybe there was some truth to what they said.
Maybe it was my bad luck that affected my parents.
Sometimes, the thought crossed my mind: if I died, maybe I'd get to see them sooner.
Nick was the first to notice I was feeling down.
He asked around, went to those guys, confronted them, and ended up getting into a fight.
In the end, all those guys came over and apologized to me.
He looked me straight in the eye, his tone gentle and sincere.
"Sophie, you're the most amazing girl in the world. Your parents are watching over you from heaven, and I'll be here too, protecting you alongside them," he'd said.
Nick has always lived up to the promise he made to me back then.
When I first started working, I was harassed by a manager from the client side during a business dinner. When I tried to resist, he twisted the story and accused me of seducing him.
Everyone else stayed quiet, so I called Nick, crying my eyes out.
Nick rushed back from abroad overnight, his eyes red from worry and exhaustion. When he finally saw me, his voice trembled with relief.
He said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here now. I promise I'll never be so far away from you again. You really scared me. I thought I'd lose you."
Nick stood by me without hesitation, and when he saw that jerk, the fury in his eyes was so intense it felt almost tangible.
He used every connection his family had and made sure that guy suffered for what he did.
His friends teased him, saying he'd go to war for his girl and would rather have her than rule the world.
Nick puffed up with pride, not trying to hide it. "She's my future wife. If I'm not the one looking out for her, then who else?"
I always believed we'd end up like in all those fairy tales, living happily ever after.
We'd stay together for life, never letting go of each other.
But one never knew what life was gonna throw at them.
Our story was only halfway through, but it already fell apart.
I didn't want to hear any more, so I was about to turn and walk away.
But then, a sarcastic voice called out from behind me.
"Seriously? You still have the nerve to show up here and cling on like you've got no shame?"
The door was half-open, and all at once, everyone turned to stare at me.
Emily looked at me with a mocking half-smile, her expression dripping with sarcasm.
She said, "Some women these days really have no shame. Why do they have to throw themselves at someone else's man like that?"
Nick saw me, and his brows furrowed in irritation.
"What are you doing here?" His voice was icy.
He must've thought I was here to stir up trouble.
I didn't bother explaining myself.
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, and replied as calmly as I could. "It's a department dinner. My friends are waiting for me, so I'll let you guys be."
"Wait," Emily called out, her voice sharp and commanding.
She stood there with a regal air, looking down at me like she was the queen.
"Since you're here, there are a few things I want to say to you," she said. "I remember every single thing you did to mess with me as Nick's girlfriend. But I'm done caring about all that now.
"From now on, Nick is my husband, so keep your distance. And don't get any ideas because Mr. Edwin Sullivan likes you. If I ever catch you trying to get with him again, I'll make you regret it."
The atmosphere around Nick suddenly got tense, and he asked in a deep, steady voice, "Did she ever do anything else to you?"
Emily's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling with emotion. "It's all because of you. She was officially your girlfriend back then, so of course she could act however she wanted.
"But I don't want to hold onto it anymore. In the end, destiny rewarded me with you."
Nick gave her a soft, loving look, pulled her into his arms, and gently ran his hand through her hair.
He trusted her instantly, not a hint of doubt.
He didn't ask me a single thing and passed judgment, like I was guilty from the start.
Then he turned to me, his gaze cold and distant. "Sophie, you seriously make me sick. Always plotting behind everyone's back, but you still play the victim like the whole world is against you.
"You think because Grandpa likes you, you're Mrs. Sullivan? Too bad. I'm his grandson. If I don't want you, you're nothing but a dog the Sullivans took in.
"If I were you, I'd get out of here before they kick you out. At least it'll save you further humiliation."
"Alright," I replied. I didn't hesitate for a second.
It works out perfectly, since I need to start packing up my stuff these days anyway.
My answer was so quick that it actually made him doubt my intentions.
He said, "Trying to play the hard-to-get game now? Last time I told you to pack your stuff and leave, who was the clingy one bawling and refusing to go, making a whole scene?"
That was the time Emily got herself into a car accident because she was at fault. She ended up with nothing but a minor scrape.
But she went full drama queen, bawling and screaming that I'd hired someone to hit her on purpose. She kept demanding I apologize, making a huge fuss, and claimed she'd break up with Nick because she was terrified I'd try to kill her.