I smiled faintly, “Evan, you think too highly of yourself. Do you know why I moved the vow exchange to the end?”
Evan frowned, narrowing his eyes.
“Because I wanted to finish this wedding properly. I wanted to see tonight’s light show.
“I stopped everything for this. I spent a whole year planning this wedding.
“I revised the plans over and over, and traveled across the country to contact top florists and lighting designers.
“I sourced materials, found venues, and made sure every step was perfect. I was meticulous about every detail. I tried on dozens of wedding dresses, wore shoes until my feet bled, and adjusted my makeup repeatedly.
“Evan, no man will ever deserve my heart and effort for a wedding like this again.
“This might be the only wedding of my life.”
Chapter 8
I continued, “Finishing this wedding, which I’ve put so much effort into, is even more important to me.
“Didn’t you notice? Today, all the wedding photographers deliberately avoided you.
“I’ll edit the wedding video myself.”
Evan’s face darkened, his lips pressed tight.
He stared at me intently as if trying to see through me.
“Are you breaking up with me?”
I took a deep breath and stared directly into his eyes.
“I said earlier that I won’t marry you, and it should be clear enough.”
Evan fell silent for a moment, his voice trembling slightly.
He said, “Mia, think carefully. If you leave me, you’ll never find anyone better than me.”
I smiled, “Why would I need to? I have money, looks, and intelligence. I can live a wonderful life on my own.
“You don’t need marriage to prove your success, and I don’t need marriage to define my life.”
4:16 PM d
Evan froze, and his body tightened.
The hotel spotlight fell on his shoulder as though a layer of frost had settled there.
“Mia, don’t regret this.”
“I won’t regret it.”
I straightened my back and walked out with my high heels, clicking against the marble floor.
But tears still flowed uncontrollably.
I stayed in another city for three days.
I turned off my phone, isolating myself for three whole days.
Chapter 9
When I left the hotel, I felt as if I were in a dream.
I took a taxi to Evan’s villa.
The lawn was scattered with torn bouquets, and the wedding decoration on the gate had been ripped off and crumpled on the ground.
Inside the villa was a mess, with signs of destruction everywhere.
The sofa was knocked to one side, and the crystal chandelier had shattered into pieces on the floor.
This chaos was clearly the result of Evan’s anger.
I tiptoed upstairs and began to gather my things.
Most of it was stuff Evan had bought for me, and my personal belongings were few.
A single suitcase was enough to hold everything.
As I was heading downstairs with my suitcase, I saw Evan lying on the living room floor.
His hair was disheveled, his shirt wrinkled.
A cigarette hung from his fingers, and he took a drag before carelessly extinguishing it on the floor.
His handsome face was hidden in the swirling smoke, exuding a kind of decadent beauty.
My breath caught, and I quickened my pace to leave.
“Don’t go…” he spoke in a hoarse voice as I passed him.
I pretended not to hear.
“I said don’t go!” he shouted in fury.
He suddenly jumped up and quickly caught up to me.
He kicked my suitcase aside with force and grabbed my shoulder, forcing me to turn around.
He lowered his head and kissed me fiercely.
The strong scent of smoke and alcohol flooded my mouth, and I struggled desperately.
It was useless.
Tears streamed down my face, and after a moment of desperate resistance, I slapped him hard across the face.
4:16 PM
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“Evan! Get away from me!”
Evan slowly turned his face, and his face darkened.
At the next moment, he threw me over his shoulder.
Ignoring my frantic struggles and punches, he marched toward the bedroom.
Chapter 10
I was roughly thrown onto the bed, which was covered with wedding decorations.
I was dizzy and disoriented. He stripped off his suit jacket and pressed down on me.
His face was flushed from the alcohol.
His long fingers wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes.
In a hoarse voice, he said, “Mia, I made the mistake every man makes.
“You shouldn’t have made such a big deal out of it, ruining our wedding, ruining our relationship.
“I admit, I did say that you were a substitute for Grace.
“But the person I truly want to spend my life with is you.
“Why don’t you believe me?”
Tears flowed uncontrollably,
How could I have fallen for someone like him?
I glared at him, furious. “Evan, you disgust me! You make me sick!
“Let me go! I never want to see you again!”
Evan furrowed his brow, and after a moment, he forced a strange smile.
“When you have our child, you won’t be able to leave me.”
“Mia, let’s have a baby…”
A chill ran through me.
As he pressed down on me, I struggled desperately.
“Evan?”
Suddenly, a male voice came from outside.
One after another, it was his secretary, John.
“Mr. Taylor, where are you? Hurry up, your mother is calling me nonstop!”
Evan paused.
I seized the opportunity, using all my strength to escape from under him. Barefoot, I dashed across the cold floor.
I didn’t stop even when I bumped into John by the door.
I ran to the living room, glanced back to confirm Evan wasn’t chasing me, then grabbed my suitcase and rushed out the door into a car.
I slammed the gas pedal to the floor, speeding several hundred miles before I dared to slow down.
4:16 PM d
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