Chapter 2

After the gas check, the property manager passed me the clipboard for a signature.

I didn't sign. "Since I'm not the contact person, you should ask her to sign."

The older property manager retrieved the clipboard, looking a bit embarrassed. "Alright, sorry to bother you."

After the door closed, I went back to packing.

An hour later, Andrew called. "What did you say to the property manager? Emily got off the plane and immediately got a call from them, asking when she'd be back to sign the paperwork."

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked.

"Emily's always been the contact for this place," Andrew said, his tone full of impatience. "She handled the paperwork for me back then and left her name. It was convenient. Are you seriously going to nitpick over something so minor?"

"Andrew, I've been living here for a whole year, and the property manager still has no clue who I am."

"So now you're mad I didn't add you to the residents' group chat?"

He laughed, like it was the funniest thing he'd heard all day. "Grace, do you really think that because we're getting married, you get to run my place, my connections, and everything I've got going on?"

"I was asking," I said.

"Let me make this clear. Don't think you're so important. The wedding's in three days. If you still want to marry me, stay in line," Andrew warned.

Andrew cut me off and hung up.

I set my phone down on the table and opened the cabinet to keep packing.

On the top shelf, there was a metal box filled with all the receipts and tickets I'd saved over the past ten years.

Back when Andrew was struggling to get his business off the ground and cash was tight, I sold the bracelet Grandma left me.

When Andrew's dad was in the hospital, I spent the whole night in line at the hospital, paying the bills.

When suppliers showed up demanding payment, I handed over my bank card with all my salary on it.

I kept every single receipt, making sure not a single one got lost.

Back then, they were memories.

Now, they were proof.

The door lock clicked.

I turned around and saw Andrew's mom, Helen Cooper, standing at the door, with two cleaning ladies trailing behind her.

Helen walked in and immediately frowned. "What are you doing? It's supposed to be a happy occasion, and you've turned the place into a junkyard."

I stood up. "Mrs. Cooper, I'm packing up my things."

"Your things?" Helen glanced at the trash bag. "Aren't those cups and decorations all from Andrew's place? You haven't married in yet, and you're already claiming things?"

"I bought those cups and decorations."

"You bought them for Andrew. Once they're in this house, they're Cooper family property."

Helen tossed her bag onto the sofa and pointed at the wedding photo. "Don't throw that out. Emily's coming by later to see the place, and the wall would look weird without it. Keep it there for now."

I looked at her. "Emily's coming over to check out the apartment?"

Helen dropped the act. "She and Andrew registered their marriage. Of course, she wants to check out her own place. What's the big deal? If you think you're so capable, why don't you get Andrew to marry you as well?"

The cleaning ladies exchanged glances, but didn't dare move.

Helen raised her voice more when I stayed quiet. "Grace, don't take it the wrong way, but let me be real with you.

"The Cooper family's been on the rise these past few years, and you're still playing that old pity act from a decade ago, trying to keep Andrew tied to you.

"Emily's not like you. She's seen the world, and her family's got class. Honestly, if you hadn't hung around Andrew for so long, you wouldn't be on the guest list for this wedding."

I snapped the metal box shut. "So you want Emily to put on my wedding dress, take over my wedding, and move into the place I turned into a home?"

"Since when is this your wedding?" Helen stepped closer. "Andrew is the one paying for everything, the Cooper family booked the hotel, and all the guests are from our side. You're only there to fill a spot."

The older cleaning lady couldn't help herself and whispered, "Mrs. Cooper, she's the one who set all this up, isn't she?"

Helen's face darkened. "You're here to clean, not to gossip."

I tied up the trash bag and headed for the door.

Helen blocked my way. "Where are you going? You have to show up at the welcome party tonight. Emily specifically asked for you. If you don't go, Andrew's going to look bad in front of everyone."

"It's none of my business," I shot back.

Helen yanked the trash bag, and the photo frame inside tumbled out, the glass shattering on the floor.

The wedding photo split in two, the crack running right across my face.

Helen paused for a second, then said, "Good riddance. It's bad luck anyway. Don't bother putting this one up before the wedding. Put up Emily's marriage license photo instead."

I bent down to pick up the photo frame.

A shard of glass sliced my hand, and blood stained my wedding dress.

Helen recoiled in disgust. "Clean that up. Don't get blood all over the floor."

I put the photo frame back in the bag and looked up at her. "Mrs. Cooper, I'll be there tonight."

Helen finally looked satisfied. "That's right. Women shouldn't always be making a fuss. You should feel lucky that Andrew's willing to marry you."

I didn't say a word.

I was not going to make Andrew look good.

I was going to make him feel a bit of what he put me through.