It was my birthday, and my boyfriend, Dexter Prescott, chose that day to publicly announce his engagement to someone else, right there in front of the entire company. I didn't cry. I didn't make a scene. I simply sought him out, hoping for an explanation. But what I found instead was a conversation between him and his friend. “Aren’t you worried Alice will be furious about this?” his friend asked. “I have no choice,” Dexter replied, his voice laced with a strange mix of resignation and righteousness. “If I don’t marry Chloe, her family will marry her off to some stranger. I can’t just stand by and watch her suffer.” Then, he added, his tone dripping with an unsettling confidence, “Besides, Alice has been with me for eight years. Everyone knows she’s mine. She has no other option but to wait for me.” Later, my family arranged a more suitable match for an advantageous alliance. I never imagined that my wedding day would coincide with his. As the groom, he was visibly anxious, plagued by a disturbing premonition. He even instructed his groomsmen to keep a close watch on the ceremony, to prevent me from causing a scene. It was then that one of the groomsmen awkwardly chimed in, “Didn’t you know? Alice Quinn is getting married today too…” —— 1 “Mom, is the Caldwell family’s proposal still on the table?” My mother’s hand, poised with a teacup, trembled slightly. Her eyes, wide with undisguised shock and worry, fixated on me. “Alice, why are you asking about that?” Just moments before, the video of Dexter Prescott’s proposal from last night had gone viral across all social media platforms. Everyone knew the Prescott family was about to celebrate a momentous occasion, but the bride wasn't me—the woman he’d dated for eight long years. Seeing my silence, Mom grew frantic. “Alice, marriage is a huge decision. Don’t act impulsively now.” I swallowed the bitter ache in my throat and shook my head. “Mom, I’ve just… come to my senses. You didn’t reject the Caldwells’ proposal outright, did you? That’s because you thought Liam Caldwell was more reliable than Dexter, isn’t it? I trust your judgment.” My mother sighed deeply. “Liam Caldwell, the youngest son of the Caldwells, is indeed a good man. But perhaps you should meet him first, and then decide?” “No, it’s fine. You can make the arrangements. I’m okay with whatever.” After we settled the matter, I ate dinner at my parents’ house, then returned to the small apartment I owned. What I hadn’t expected was to find Dexter there. Hearing the sound of the key turning in the lock, he slowly put down his work and looked up. “Busy day at work? You’re back quite late.” I kicked off my shoes, my voice flat. “What are you doing here?” “I was passing by after an evening engagement and thought I’d drop in to see you.” Dexter approached me, just as he always did, intending to pull me into his embrace. But as he drew closer, a familiar scent wafted towards me—a women’s perfume. It was the same one Chloe Davis always wore. A wave of repulsion rose within me, and I instinctively recoiled, stepping back to avoid his touch. My nose inexplicably burned with a sharp, stinging sensation. “You’ve seen me. You can leave now.” Dexter’s outstretched hand froze in mid-air. A faint smile flickered across his face as he heard my words. “Don’t be silly, Alice. Weren’t you just complaining a few days ago that I don’t spend enough time with you? I specifically cleared my schedule to be with you today.” Yesterday was my birthday. I waited from morning till night, but not a single call from him. It wasn't until late in the evening, when I finally gave in to the urge to go find him, that I received a video from an unfamiliar number. It was a clip of Dexter, right there in his company, proposing to Chloe in front of all their employees. In the video, a crowd cheered, their voices echoing with boisterous excitement. I couldn’t believe it. I rushed to his office, desperate to hear his explanation directly from him. Instead, I overheard his conversation with his best friend. It was then that I realized, in this cruel game of love, I had become the ultimate joke. Recalling the words he’d spoken last night, my heart felt like it had been viciously stabbed, the pain so excruciating it stole my breath. I lifted my gaze to the man before me, his features still deceptively gentle. My eyes welled up, tears blurring my vision. I didn’t know why, but I felt an overwhelming agony, a crushing weight that made it hard to breathe. Dexter watched as my tears fell, a flicker of panic in his eyes. He awkwardly reached out, fumbling to wipe away the moisture from my cheek. “Why are you crying? Who upset you? Tell me, I’ll go sort them out!” 2 Growing up, Dexter was the neighborhood’s resident wild child. He was unruly, mischievous, and often provoked his mother into chasing him with a slipper. I, on the other hand, was born prematurely, my health always delicate. My parents kept a strict watch over me, rarely letting me play outside with other children. I’d often sit by the window, watching them run freely, a pang of envy in my chest. Whenever Dexter saw me lost in thought by the window, he’d sneak over, bringing me little treats, then gently pinch my soft, chubby cheeks. “Little sister, when can you come out and play with me?” he’d whisper. By middle school, my health gradually improved, and my parents finally felt comfortable letting me venture out. Back then, he was always meticulously careful with me, saying, “Alice, little sister, if anyone ever bullies you when we’re out, just tell them my name. They won’t dare touch you.” From then on, I was never alone. He’d always accompany me wherever I wanted to go. If anyone tried to pick on me, he’d be there in an instant, a strong, unyielding shelter. When we started college, it felt natural for us to become a couple. He grew even more tender towards me, showering me with all his favoritism. That is, until my junior year, when Chloe Davis appeared, shattering all the beauty we’d built. She was clever, beautiful, efficient, and effortlessly charismatic. She was also Dexter’s classmate in the same department. They had a way of communicating that I simply couldn’t grasp. At first, Dexter would patiently translate for me. But eventually, he grew tired of it. “You don’t understand what we’re talking about anyway,” he’d say. “Why don’t you go off and do your own thing?” They talked about everything, from real life to online chatter, from dawn till dusk. Meanwhile, my conversations with Dexter dwindled to fragmented sentences. My friends warned me, urging me to pay more attention to their growing closeness. I dismissed their concerns, believing that even in a relationship, everyone deserved their privacy. And I trusted him. I truly believed he wouldn’t fall for someone else. But reality delivered a brutal slap to my face. That night, Dexter didn’t leave. He said he was worried about me. I gazed at him in silence for a long moment. “Suit yourself,” I finally said. Turning, I went into my room, and just as he tried to follow, I swiftly locked the door. Dexter stood outside, his expression complicated. He paused, then said, “Alice, I’ll be right outside. When you’ve calmed down, come find me, okay?” I ignored him, hot tears tracing paths down my cold hands, leaving burning trails. Dexter, I don’t want to love you anymore. The next morning, I woke up, rubbing my throbbing temples, and stepped out of the room. I saw Dexter frantically pulling on his jacket, clearly rushing to leave. “Alice, I have something urgent to deal with right now, so I’m heading out. I’ll pick you up tonight, and we’ll go out for dinner.” Before I could even respond, he rushed out, disappearing from my sight so quickly I barely registered it. I pursed my lips, then glanced at the sofa where he’d slept. I noticed he’d left his phone behind in his haste. I walked over and picked it up. I was just about to set it aside to send to him later. Then, a message popped up glaringly on the screen. Dexter hadn’t set a password, so any new message was immediately visible. The message was from a contact saved as “Sweet Pea.” The photo showed Chloe looking disheveled but smiling, giving a peace sign from an emergency room bed. The message read: “Don’t rush on your way here, drive safely. I’ll be waiting for you right here.” 3 It was then that I finally understood the real reason for his hasty departure. I let out a self-deprecating laugh, then called a local courier service to deliver his phone to his company. Afterward, I headed to my own office. I’d joined my family’s company right after graduation. My father, wanting to put me through the paces, made me start as a junior executive. Now, through my own efforts, I’d become a department manager. As soon as I arrived, my assistant brought over a project proposal. “Ms. Quinn, this document needs your attention. All the procedures are complete; it just needs your signature.” I took it and scrutinized it. It was a project collaboration with Prescott Industries, but I had absolutely no recollection of it. “Did my father approve this?” “No.” The assistant paused, then quickly replied, “Didn’t you say before that Prescott Industries should always be our first choice for any non-critical collaborations?” It clicked then. I had indeed said something like that, thinking that our two families would eventually merge anyway. Who earned more, who earned less, it wouldn’t matter, so I hadn’t bothered to thoroughly evaluate the project’s profitability. “Let’s pass on this one. From now on, for similar projects, we’ll choose based on merit. Company interests come first.” After a full day of work, I packed up my things after closing and decided to try the new chic bistro that had just opened recently. But when I arrived, I found the restaurant already packed to the brim. Just as I was about to leave, I heard a familiar voice. “Ms. Quinn, you’re here for dinner too?” I turned to see Chloe Davis and Dexter Prescott, sitting at a table, Chloe’s face beaming with a bright smile. Dexter’s expression froze when he saw me, then he quickly recovered. “I was just about to call you to join us for dinner! What a coincidence, you’re already here. Come, come eat with us.” He beckoned a server to add another place setting. I hadn’t eaten much for lunch and was ravenous by then. So, I decided to stay and sat down. “Ms. Quinn, I remember you like spicy food. Shall we add a few more dishes for you?” Chloe offered, her voice saccharine. I glanced across the table. It was laden with only bland, mild dishes. Both Dexter and I were notorious spice lovers. He used to say that food without chili was soulless, and eating it felt like a fate worse than death. Yet now, he sat before a table full of bland fare, his expression completely unbothered. Dexter shot Chloe an annoyed glare, feigning reproach. “I think you’re just trying to eat something spicy yourself, aren’t you? Don’t forget what the doctor told you today; you can only eat bland things recently.” Chloe, seemingly scolded, let out a playful huff. “Alright, alright, Mr. Bossy. I’ll listen to you, okay?” Watching their easy interaction, my heart, which had been torn to shreds, remained surprisingly calm. Dexter shook his head with a helpless smile. “You two go ahead and eat. I’m going to make a call.” As Dexter left, the smile on Chloe’s face gradually faded, replaced by a provocative gleam in her eyes. “Alice Quinn, you really surprise me. You know Dexter proposed to me, yet you’re still clinging to him? Your skin is thick enough to stop a bullet.” Catching the disdain in her voice, I met her gaze. “Is stealing someone’s boyfriend something to be proud of? Something worth flaunting in public?” “You…” Before she could finish, thick smoke suddenly billowed from the restaurant kitchen. Someone spotted it first and screamed in terror, “Fire!” At that cry, the bustling restaurant instantly descended into chaos. Everyone panicked, scrambling to escape. I snapped back to reality and quickly stood up. Just as I was about to leave, a figure suddenly crashed into me. Before I could regain my footing, I heard a familiar, anxious voice. “Chloe, don’t be scared! I’ll get you out of here!” Dexter didn't hesitate, swiftly leading Chloe out of the burning restaurant. His heart thumped in his chest, a wave of relief washing over him, a joy of having survived. He pulled her into a tight hug. “Thank goodness, thank goodness you’re alright…” As he spoke, something seemed to click in his mind. He suddenly turned, his eyes landing on me, standing a short distance away, watching them with a cold, detached gaze. His voice caught in his throat, and he stammered, “Alice, I… I was just so rushed, I didn’t mean to not save you…” “I know.” I cut him off, my voice cold. In that moment, when he had pulled her into his arms and left, I had a crystal-clear realization: the Dexter who had once promised to protect me for life was long gone. Seeing that I wasn’t angry, he visibly relaxed, then offered to take me home. “No need. Ms. Davis seems quite shaken. You should take her home first.” 4 In the days that followed, I didn’t contact Dexter again. Instead, I busied myself with wedding preparations. One afternoon, I received a message from my designer, so I decided to use my lunch break to pick up my custom-made wedding dress from her boutique. It was a gown I had originally prepared for my own proposal to Dexter, but I would never have that day. As luck would have it, just as I stepped into the store, Chloe followed right behind me. She saw the dress box in my hands and, with an air of superiority, looked at the designer. “I want to try on that wedding dress.” “I’m sorry, but that was custom-made for Ms. Quinn. It belongs to her.” Chloe scoffed disdainfully. “Custom-made? As if you’re getting married soon…” As she spoke, she seemed to realize something, and her composure shattered. “Are you trying to wear this dress to ruin my wedding?!” Seeing her manic state, I couldn’t be bothered to argue. “If you’re sick, go get treatment. Don’t come here to cause a scene.” With that, I turned to leave, holding the dress box. Unexpectedly, she suddenly lunged at me. Before I could react, she violently ripped open the box and frantically tore at the magnificent gown. That wasn’t enough. She then rushed to the counter, snatched up a pair of scissors, and mercilessly shredded the fabric. “Alice Quinn, you won’t ruin my wedding! I’ll destroy your dress right now, let’s see how you cause trouble then!” “Chloe, are you insane?!” Furious, I tried to snatch it back, but she accidentally grazed my arm with the scissors, and blood quickly welled up. Chloe froze. For half a minute, she stared blankly, then she too began rapidly slashing her own arm with the scissors. Afterward, she collapsed onto the floor, letting out a low moan of pain. I was stunned by her almost deranged actions, before I could even speak. Dexter burst into the store from outside. Seeing the chaotic scene before him, his eyes blazed with fury. He glared at me. “Alice Quinn! When did you become so malicious?!” His eyes were filled with rage, but then he turned to Chloe, his expression softening into one of profound heartache. Dexter walked over and carefully helped her up. Chloe leaned against his chest, sobbing. “Dexter, it’s all my fault. Don’t blame Ms. Quinn; she didn’t mean to hurt me…” “Didn’t mean to?” He gritted his teeth, shooting me another venomous look. “It better be an accident. Alice Quinn, if anything happens to Chloe, I swear I won’t let you get away with it!” With that, he carried Chloe out, striding quickly. Truth be told, if he had just bothered to look up, he would have seen that the store’s security cameras had recorded everything. “This… Ms. Quinn, perhaps I should explain for you.” I shook my head, declining the kind offer from the designer. “No need.” This was actually better. It completely severed any lingering hopes we might have had. Time flew by, and soon it was my wedding day. I finally met the man who was about to become my husband. Liam Caldwell was far more handsome than Dexter, his refined features exuding a detached coolness. Yet, when he looked at me, a subtle tenderness softened his gaze. In that moment, I felt a strange sense of bewilderment about my future. He seemed to sense my nervousness. “Don’t be nervous,” he said softly, “I’m here for everything.” Liam navigated the introductions and tea ceremonies with my family effortlessly, his composure and grace making me feel not the slightest bit uncomfortable. He was just as meticulous when we got into the wedding car, ensuring everything was taken care of. As the car’s engine roared to life, the unease in my heart slowly began to subside. Meanwhile, in another wedding car, Dexter Prescott was distinctly restless. Logically, today was a significant day, and I wouldn’t be completely silent. But he’d practically worn out his phone, flipping through it repeatedly, yet there wasn’t a single message or update about me. Upon arriving at the hotel, the unsettling feeling in his heart hadn’t dissipated; instead, it had intensified. He scanned his surroundings, then turned to his groomsmen, his voice firm and resolute. “Guard the wedding hall carefully. Don’t let Alice Quinn come and cause a scene.” The next second, one of the groomsmen chuckled. “Don’t worry, she won’t have time to cause trouble. Alice Quinn is getting married today, too. She’s probably in the middle of her own wedding ceremony at her hotel right now.”
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