Chapter 2
"Harmony, how long were you planning to stay mad at me? You dropped that massage news just to mess with me, didn't you?" He yanked my arm and glared at me with straight-up anger.
He said loudly, "I know you're still upset, but I already told you that I only had a fake marriage with Isla. Why can't you understand that?
"You shut down every way to reach you, and you wouldn't let your parents talk to me either. I searched for you for three whole years! After everything we had, you just walked away. How could you do that to me?
"And now you're claiming you married someone else just to get under my skin. Harmony, are you trying to drive me nuts? Fine. I'm done making you wait. I'll propose to you right here in front of all our classmates. Will you marry me?"
There was a time when I wanted nothing more than a romantic proposal.
Even a simple bouquet from Blake would've made me say yes.
But now that he finally said the words, I felt nothing, just a kind of irony.
When I needed a wedding most, he refused.
When I needed him to stay as far away as possible, he clung to me like glue.
I pulled my arm out of his grip, completely calm and cold.
"Blake, I'm not joking. I am really married. Stop bothering me," I said.
Blake let out a smug laugh, like he knew everything. "Harmony, you say you're married, but there was no wedding, and you're not even wearing a ring.
"You're twenty-eight. Dating isn't easy for women your age. Even if you did find someone, he wouldn't be better off financially than me. You said you're married because you try to save face. I get it.
"To make it up to you, once we get married, I'll hand over my paycheck. You can manage all the money, and I'll follow your lead. Tomorrow morning, we can head to the city hall and get the license, okay?"
Our classmates even started chiming in, convinced I wasn't really married and was just having a moment.
"Harmony, we're all regular people. You don't have a car or a house, and you're not getting younger. Blake at least has a condo, and he's good-looking. Now that he's cutting ties with that woman, marrying him wouldn't be a loss!" someone said.
I couldn't wear my wedding ring because of work.
My husband was a business tycoon, and his wealthy family cared a lot about appearances. Since the family hadn't announced the wedding, I couldn't say anything publicly. I never thought it would cause a mess like this.
But even if I hadn't gotten married, I still wouldn't have chosen Blake.
"We already broke up. Whatever you have or don't have has nothing to do with me. I said I won't marry you." I made my stance clear. "And I didn't lie to anyone. I'm married, and I'm very happy."
Blake immediately panicked. "Harmony, if you don't marry me, are you seriously going to marry some poor guy? This is your whole life we're talking about. Throwing away your future just to spite me isn't worth it!"
Isla, holding her baby, jumped in with that weird blend of pity and shade. "Ms. Jordan, the past is the past. If you agree to marry Blake, I'll disappear from your lives completely. I won't bother you ever again.
"I already got everything I wanted. I don't want anything else. I just want Blake to be happy."
She grabbed my hand. "Please say yes. He truly loves you. Why let your anger push you into marrying someone poor out of spite?"
I frowned and pulled my hand back.
Isla's wheelchair suddenly rolled back and tipped over.
She used her body to shield her child as she crashed onto the ground with a sharp, heavy thud.
The impact startled the baby, who burst into frightened, loud wails.
Isla stayed on the floor holding her child, sobbing as she looked up at me. "Harmony, I told you I wished you and Blake happiness. Why would you hurt my child?
"I know you hate me, and I know you're jealous of me. If you have a problem, take it out on me. Who goes after a two-year-old?"
People around us started whispering. Their looks changed instantly, like they actually believed I was jealous enough to hurt a baby.
But I hadn't even pushed her.
Blake stepped in, quieted the crowd, and helped Isla and her child up.
He looked relieved, almost happy, as if he thought this proved I still cared about him. His voice softened. "Jealous much? The kid's innocent.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of everything with Isla. After we get married, she won't interfere again.
"We'll have a few kids of our own. Then you won't have to envy anyone. We'll be happy for the rest of our lives."
I was furious and about to speak.
But suddenly, someone pulled me into a warm chest.
A familiar low voice cut through the air, cold and deadly calm. "Sir, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Why would my wife give you several kids or spend her life with you?"