Chapter 3

Two nights later, I stood at the entrance of the Grandview Hotel in a simple black dress. It was the kind of dress that said nothing, meant nothing, and tried even less.

Nevertheless, the crowd still found me.

"Is that the true Jennings heiress? Why is she dressed like that?"

"Didn’t she marry into the Scott family?"

"I heard her husband hasn’t looked at her since the wedding."

"All his affection goes to Yvonne."

I let the words fall around me like rain, and I didn’t flinch.

Since I married Shawn, I'd heard such words countless times. At first, I would feel sad, but now I didn't.

Yvonne sparkled like royalty in a beaded gown, her smile flawless as Shawn stood beside her and cared for her. He even bent down to fix the hem of her dress.

Watching this scene, I felt a pang of bitterness in my heart. Once upon a time, I had also imagined that Shawn would treat me like this.

If it weren't for Yvonne meddling and distorting the truth, would he have loved me so much? Alas, there were no "ifs".

I found a corner to sit down.

Then, my father raised his champagne glass. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate my daughter’s birthday. I also want to announce that I’ll be passing 60% of Jennings Corporation shares to Yvonne."

Gasps rippled across the room.

"But Zoe’s the biological daughter—"

"She’s being sidelined with nothing?"

I didn’t react. I'd seen it coming. Still, knowing doesn’t make betrayal hurt less.

Then, Shawn stepped up. "Yvonne, I also have something for you."

He opened a velvet box, inside which sat a ten-carat ruby ring. It was the Scott family heirloom.

"The family ring?" someone whispered. "Only the Scott matriarch wears that."

"He gave it to Yvonne. It turns out that he really loves her..."

Shawn slid it onto Yvonne’s finger.

Everyone cast envious glances. I watched this scene and felt extremely uncomfortable.

"But..." Yvonne suddenly looked at me, her face full of guilt. "Isn't this supposed to be Zoe's? It seems inappropriate for me to wear this..."

Shawn’s eyes turned to me emotionlessly. "Ignore her. She tricked me into marrying her. Someone like that doesn’t deserve this ring."

He said that to embarrass me in public. I didn't want to stay any longer.

I had no idea what Yvonne had done. How could she claim that Shawn liked me before, but then make him give her the ring in front of everyone?

It must be that she was up to some new trick to drive me crazy. Well, I didn't want to look into it. I got up and left.

In the restroom, I stared at my reflection, ready to breathe again. Just then, the door creaked open. It was Shawn.

"Zoe Jennings. What now? Going to cry? Kill yourself again?" His voice was cold. "You tricked me and even drugged me. You got knocked up. Do you think I’d ever love someone like you? Kill yourself a hundred times… I won’t care."

I looked him dead in the eye. "What if I said I didn’t drug you? Would it make a difference?"

His expression faltered. "Don’t lie. You admitted it before."

I gave a bitter smile. Yvonne was right. No one would believe me. Back then, when I admitted to drugging him, it was because I couldn't remember anything. I just agreed with whatever they said.

I said to him, "I know you don't love me. I'm not thinking of committing suicide anymore. It was my fault to pester you before. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

Shawn was taken aback for a moment, seemingly not expecting me to say so.

He looked at me, his brows slightly furrowed. "Zoe, what trick are you up to now? If you're done, let's get a divorce. I'll give you a settlement."

I looked at him and couldn't help but find it amusing. "No need. I can earn money by myself. I agree to the divorce and won't take a penny from you. I'll leave with nothing."

For a second, something in his expression shifted. Panic? Regret? His heart tightened, sensing that something was slipping away quietly.

He had never seen me like this: polite, distant, completely indifferent. It rattled him.

The truth was, he never really wanted a divorce. He just wanted me to admit I was wrong, to stop being so stubborn, and to confess to drugging him and promise never to do it again.

However, I never gave him what he wanted. Not then and not now. Instead, I kept spiraling by hurting myself, making scenes, and trying to win his attention in the most desperate ways.

"Zoe..." he started, his voice softer now, almost conflicted.

Just as he was about to speak again, a saccharine voice rang out from behind him, "Shawnie, it’s time to cut the cake."

It was Yvonne.

He glanced at me one last time, hesitating, and then he turned and walked away.