Chapter 3

I checked into a hotel in the city center.

Not long after I finished showering, the room phone rang.

I picked it up, and on the other end came Mrs. Smith’s sharp, cutting voice.

“Nicole, you’ve really grown bold, haven’t you? How dare you embarrass my son at the engagement banquet! What do you think you are? You’re nothing but an illegitimate daughter who can’t even be brought into the light. If it weren’t for our Leo, you wouldn’t even be worthy of carrying shoes for the Smiths!

“Let me tell you this. If you don’t come over and kneel to apologize by tomorrow morning, then the Morgans can just wait to disappear from Sunnyvale!”

I listened quietly as she finished venting, and then I let out a soft, indifferent “Oh”.

“Mrs. Smith, are you done?

“If you’re done, I’m hanging up. I still need to put on a face mask.”

After saying that, I hung up without waiting for her response.

Listening to the busy tone on the line, I could easily imagine Mrs. Smith’s furious expression.

In my previous life, I had given up all my own preferences just to please her. I learned tea ceremonies, flower arranging, and even the traditional opera she liked, reshaping myself into exactly the kind of person she wanted.

However, she had never once looked at me properly.

In her eyes, no matter how high my education was or how capable I became, I could never wash away the label of being an “illegitimate daughter”.

The only reason she agreed to my marriage to Leo was because she valued my ability to help him manage the company. I was also “obedient” enough not to threaten her son.

With a face mask on, I picked up my phone and began sorting through all the assets that had been entangled between Leo and me over the years.

For the charity fund we co-founded, I didn’t hesitate to apply for liquidation and withdrawal.

As for the original shares of his company under my name, I listed them at the lowest possible price, preparing to sell them off.

After finishing all of that, I felt a sense of relief wash over my entire body.

Early the next morning, there was a knock on the door.

I thought it was room service, but when I opened it, I saw Sophie’s delicate, pitiful face instead.

She was wearing a white dress, her eyes red as if she had cried all night.

“Nicole…” The moment she spoke, her voice trembled with tears. “What exactly happened between you and Leo? He’s been going crazy looking for you all night yesterday.”

“Is it because of me? If it is, then I… I can go explain things to him. I won’t see him ever again!”

As she spoke, tears fell down her cheeks, as though she were willing to sacrifice herself for our sake.

With acting skills like hers, it would be a waste if she didn’t win an award.

In my previous life, she had used this exact expression in front of me for over a decade.

Every time something happened, she would take all the blame onto herself, making herself seem innocent and kind, while making me look like a jealous, unreasonable woman.

Leaning against the doorframe, I looked at her leisurely.

“It’s not because of you.”

Sophie froze for a moment, clearly not expecting that answer.

I smiled and continued, “I just suddenly figured it out that forced love never ends well. The one Leo loves is you. If I keep clinging on, there’s no point. I might as well let go and give you my blessing.

“Sophie, I wish you both happiness.”

My tone was sincere, and my gaze steady.

Sophie was completely stunned.

Not a single line she had prepared could be used.

She looked at me, her eyes filled with confusion and scrutiny, as if trying to determine whether I was speaking sarcastically.

“Nicole, you… shouldn’t say that. Leo and I are just friends—”

“Whether you’re just friends or not, you know that in your heart,” I cut her off. “Don’t come looking for me again. I don’t want anything to do with either of you.”

I closed the door, shutting her shocked expression outside.

Not long after, my phone received a new message from Leo.

“Nicole, what exactly are you trying to do? What nonsense did you tell Sophie?

“I’m warning you. Don’t drag her into this. What’s between us has nothing to do with her.”

Looking at the words “what’s between us”, I found it extremely ironic.

When had there ever been an “us”?

From the start, there had only ever been him and Sophie, the one he held closest to his heart.

So I blocked them both, and at last, my world was quiet.