Chapter 3
L
After a two–second pause, a cold laugh
echoed through the phone.
“Chloe, you really don’t even bother to think
through your lies. You just want me to beg
you, so you make this up?”
I closed my eyes, a bitter smile playing on my
lips.
I knew how this would end.
I knew that no matter what I went through,
Rhonda’s well–being would always come first
for him.
Even knowing that, I still held onto a sliver of
hope.
<
A wave of nausea washed over me, and I
leaned over the bed to vomit.
Zach remained oblivious, his tone still
arrogant.
“Don’t drag Ethan’s girlfriend into your
tantrum! They were supposed to meet the
parents to set a wedding date, and now they
can’t even see each other!”
“You can’t handle your relationship, and you’re influencing others. You’re even using your life as an excuse. Chloe, aren’t you being malicious?! I’ll appease you this time, but what next? Will you self–harm to manipulate me again?”
Yes, no matter what happened, Zach would assume I was the mastermind, using his pity
く
Even last year, at a party, Rhonda slipped an
allergen into my food, causing a high fever
that almost killed me.
He simply looked down on me, cold and
detached.
“Chloe, it’s disgusting how you lie to people.”
“Don’t you just want to marry into the Zhao family? You already tricked my parents into agreeing to our engagement, why are you acting like this now?”
In Zach’s eyes, I was a vicious woman,
repeatedly hurting myself to drive a wedge between him and Rhonda.
Before, his words would’ve shattered me.
But now, I was just tired.
Too tired to even try to salvage things.
元
I said calmly,
“Zach, I’m calling off the wedding. When I’m
better, I’ll explain to your parents. I won’t be going to the party.”
I hung up.
But Zach actually came.
Seeing me in the hospital bed, he frowned.
Before he could speak, Rhonda walked in behind him.
She instinctively ek
Г
She instinctively clung to Zach’s arm,
practically clinging to him.
Rhonda looked at me, a possessive glint in
her eyes, but forced a pathetic expression of
sympathy onto her face.
“What happened? What’s wrong with Chloe?”
“I’m so sorry, Chloe. I really wasn’t feeling
well that day, so Zach went to see me. Don’t
be angry with him. Both families are at the
hotel waiting for you! This is so embarrassing
for them!”
Before she finished her insincere apology,
Zach cut her off.
He looked at her with adoration.
“Rhonda, you don’t need to explain to her!
Chloe! You’re going too far! Do you think this
act will make me give in? You must apologize
to Rhonda! Apologize to both families!”
“This is your last chance! Otherwise, forget
about marrying into the Zhao family!”
I scoffed.
“Zach, we’re over. Please get out of my room,
you and your girlfriend!”
Seeing me mention his beloved Rhonda, Zach
flew into a rage.
He raised his hand, and a powerful slap
landed on my face.
