Dumped for His True Love, I Married Up

Five years later, the moment I walked into the hotel, my eyes locked with Jacob Lloyd's burning gaze.

He looked even taller, sharper, and more refined than he had five years ago.

His eyes were filled with a mix of shock and pure delight.

Sasha Reid quickly stepped up, wrapping her arm around his with possessive intimacy.

A flash of surprise crossed her face before she smoothly put on a practiced smile.

"Well, look who it is! Celine! Where have you been all these years? You didn't even let us know you were back. If we'd known, we would've invited you."

She brushed back her hair, deliberately showing off the diamond ring on her finger.

I just twitched the corner of my mouth, giving no reply.

Jacob's buddies swarmed over next.

"Yo, Jacob, isn't that your old flame, Celine Wren?"

"Man, it must've been five years, right? Did she hear about your engagement and finally decide to show her face?"

"Wait, she's not here to crash the party, is she?"

One of them caught sight of the kid beside me and let out a sharp whistle. "Hey, the kid actually looks a lot like Jacob. Could he actually be Jacob's son? Talk about a classic secret-baby trope! Told you she never got over you."

Jacob suppressed a smirk and subconsciously glanced at Sasha to gauge her reaction. "Cut it out, guys. Sasha's the only one for me now."

The crowd laughed and jeered, their words dripping with sarcasm.

"You vanished without a trace back then, and now you're showing up here with a kid in tow right when Jacob's getting engaged. Definitely here to win him back, huh? Though honestly, that outfit is pretty pathetic. Next to Sasha, you don't even hold a candle to her."

"Did you get so broke without Jacob that you can't even afford decent clothes? Man, life really hit you hard these past few years!"

Following their gazes, I looked down at my casual loungewear.

Back then, just to cater to Jacob's taste, I'd put on full makeup and tight dresses whenever I met him, always trying to present my most perfect self.

But this time, I was only back to pay respects to my husband's ancestors, and I had a child to take care of. Comfort and practicality came first.

Besides, I actually preferred a relaxed, effortless style anyway.

This set had actually been custom-made for me by my husband.

Seeing my cold expression, Sasha pretended to scold the guys. "Come on, stop messing around, you guys."

She walked over warmly, acting like the peacemaker. "Celine, don't mind them. The past is the past. Even if the kid really is Jacob's, I wouldn't hold it against you.

"I'm just glad you're back. Honestly, Jacob's been thinking about you all these years. He even tried looking for you a bunch of times."

Jacob gave a light chuckle. His tone dripped with self-absorbed arrogance as he said, "Sasha can't have children for medical reasons anyway. Once things settle down, bring the kid back to the family and stay by my side. It's a shame I can't offer you a formal title, but Sasha's kind. She'll make room for you."

Looking at his smug, entitled face, I burst out laughing.