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Lacie’s exposed shoulders were covered in kiss marks. Upon seeing me, she lowered her head in feigned shyness.
“Ruby, you weren’t upset last night, were you? Jake only had to… well, to save me. If you want to blame someone, blame me. I was useless, getting drugged like that.”
“Please don’t take it to heart. I’d feel terrible if I caused problems with your wedding because of me.”
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, making her look utterly pitiful.
Hearing the commotion, Jake frowned and immediately confronted me: “I asked you last night too, Ruby. You said you didn’t mind. Why are you making Lacie cry now?”
I was completely baffled: “She’s been rambling on her own and started crying by herself. What does that have to do with me?”
At this, Jake’s frown deepened: “Then why would Lacie cry for no reason? I’ve already agreed to marry you–what more do you want!”
Even though I’d already compromised, why wouldn’t these two leave me alone?
With this thought, I looked him straight in the eyes: “If it’s such
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a burden for you, let’s cancel the engagement.”
Jake froze in place.
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“Cancel the engagement?” Malice flashed in his eyes. “Ruby, you’re such a drama queen. Lacie was drugged. If I hadn’t saved her last night, she would have been in danger.”
“And here you are, wanting to cancel our engagement over something so trivial! Do you think marriage is some small matter?”
I never thought that way, but he had already torn off his hypocritical mask.
I didn’t want to say much more and replied firmly: “I’ve suddenly realized something. Jake, we’re not right for each other.”
“Not right for each other?” His gaze darkened before quickly turning to anger. “Ruby, don’t get it twisted. You were the one who said you liked me first.”
In the beginning, I was indeed the one who fell for him first.
After graduating from university abroad, where my parents had sent me to study, I returned home. At my welcome–back dinner, I fell for Jake at first sight.
I did everything I could to learn about him, got his contact
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information, and gathered the courage to confess my feelings.
Surprisingly, he neither agreed nor refused, only saying we could give it a try.
I thought that even a glimmer of hope was enough. So we started meeting regularly, chatting, watching movies, and shopping together.
Gradually, his gaze toward me softened, and he would instinctively protect me when crossing the street.
Back then, I thought that was love, and I eagerly brought up our engagement to my father.
But after we got engaged, Jake stopped spending time with me like before, and Lacie.was suddenly always by his side.
I was too one–sided in my feelings, which led me into this hopeless situation.
Thinking about this, I took several deep breaths and said resignedly: “Yes, I liked you first. But now I don’t love you anymore, understand?”
“Ruby!” His anger erupted as he dragged me into the bedroom, radiating fury.
“What are you so angry about? I’ve already explained about Lacie. We grew up together–did you expect me to ignore her
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when she was in trouble?”
“Please don’t use your filthy thoughts to judge our relationship!”
Hearing the word “filthy,” I couldn’t help but laugh.
“I’m filthy? Jake, yesterday was Valentine’s Day. When I asked you on a date, you said you had to work late, but one call from Lacie and you rushed to her. Who are you trying to fool?”
“She even has your name tattooed on her shoulder. How can you say there’s nothing between you?!”
These words had been suppressed in my heart for too long. Finally saying them out loud still felt painful.
He couldn’t respond for a long time before turning and leaving.
I couldn’t be bothered to pursue it further. I took a taxi home and told my mother about canceling the engagement.
Mom was shocked at first, but after hearing the whole story, she cursed angrily: “I really misjudged him! Fine, we’ll pretend the wedding is still on and let all our relatives and friends see him humiliated!”
By the time I got home, it was already evening.
As soon as I entered, the messy shoe rack and closet almost made me think burglars had broken in.
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After checking, I discovered that several limited–edition dresses and high heels Jake had given me were all missing.
Just then, the door opened. Jake and Lacie walked in hand in hand.
She was wearing my clothes and shoes–the very ones from my closet.
C/C
