Chapter One

"Love…" Rory called her boyfriend Richard sweetly. "I'm sorry. I can't take a day off today. You know they need me at the hospital. And I need a lot of overtime. This is my second year of residency. I can't just leave whenever I want. Besides, I have so many bills to pay. You know I can't count on Alana to work, right? She's still insisting on chasing her dreams instead of helping me and Mom pay off Dad's debts."

"What else can I do, Rory? Even on our anniversary, you can't give me even a little bit of your time. If we ever get married, this is exactly what's going to happen!" Richard growled angrily on the other end of the line.

"Baby, don't be like that. You know I love you, but you also know our life isn't like it used to be. Mom and I are drowning in debt. I have so much to pay every month. I don't even have any savings for myself—"

"Tell me, Rory. Is there even room for me in your life? Because I feel like you only call me when you remember I exist. Make up your mind. I'm not going to wait for you forever."

"Please don't be like that, Richard. You know I love you. We've been together for five years. You matter to me, but please understand that our life isn't what it used to be. I need to provide for my family. We're not rich like before, when it would've been fine even if I didn't work—"

"But you have me! Do you think I'd let you struggle? Do you think I'd let you work yourself to the bone? All you have to do is tell me you need help. I'll pay off all your debts—"

"Oh, please, Richard! You know I don't like that suggestion. What would your mom and dad say? That I'm using you for your money? I don't want that. I want them to see that I'm not after your money. Let's not fight, please? I don't want us to fight—especially since it's our anniversary. Can you please forgive me, baby?"

"I don't want to talk to you anymore!" Richard angrily hung up.

Rory stared at her phone, then let out a heavy sigh. As much as she wanted to win Richard back, she didn't have time. She needed to work hard. She still had so many of her father's debts to pay. And she was the only one supporting her family.

Her mother didn't know anything about business. Neither did her sister Alana—the one their father had spoiled so much.

Rory's shift ended around eleven at night. She'd been going crazy, constantly glancing at her wristwatch, hoping she could still make it for their anniversary. She nearly got into a few accidents because she was rushing so much.

She arrived at Richard's penthouse building at exactly 11:30. She hadn't even changed clothes or showered because she wanted to make it up to Richard somehow.

They'd been together for five years, but Richard had started pursuing her when she was in her senior year of high school. He'd courted her relentlessly, never giving up even after she'd rejected him multiple times. And eventually, Rory had fallen completely for him.

When Rory reached Richard's penthouse, she hurried inside. She was sure her boyfriend was already asleep at that hour. Carrying a small cake, she quickly walked toward Richard's room, but before she could even reach the door, she heard voices.

"Sweetie…"

Rory froze. She knew that voice too well. She couldn't be mistaken.

"When are you planning to break up with my sister?"

"Alana, let's not ruin the mood, okay? Let's just enjoy the moment," Richard said affectionately.

"But… I'm already pregnant! In a few months, I won't be able to hide my belly anymore. So how much longer are you going to keep lying to my sister? Besides, I'm really your wife. We've been married for two years. It's a good thing my sister's so busy, or we wouldn't have been able to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I'm getting tired of this too, Richard." Alana started sobbing. "I'm your legal wife. But you're treating me like your mistress. I don't want to be in this situation anymore. I want our baby to grow up in a normal family. Where I'm your wife—recognized as your wife by your family."

"Shhh! Stop crying, sweetheart. You know it's not easy for me to break up with your sister. My grandfather likes her… and he wants me to marry her. Once the company gets transferred to my name, I'll talk to my grandfather. Just… wait, okay? Don't stress too much. It's not good for our baby."

"Okay!" Alana giggled. "Then can you kiss me?"

"I will, baby."

Rory's whole body trembled. She could hear every moan and whimper from the two people she had trusted. She wanted to charge in there, but her body wouldn't move. Tears fell faster than she could stop them.

"Ohh, Richard! I'm almost there," Alana moaned.

"Fuck!"

Rory covered her mouth, desperately trying not to make a sound. She stepped backward and walked away from Richard's unit. She didn't even know how she made it out of the building without collapsing.

She never imagined Richard would cheat on her. And what made it even worse was that the other woman was her own sister. Rory cried inside her car. She couldn't understand how this happened. How the two people she trusted most could betray her like this.

"We've been married for two years."

The words replayed in her mind on a loop. Her sister was married to her boyfriend. They'd been together for five years, but Richard had been pursuing her since high school.

Did that mean Rory had become Richard's mistress? While her sister was his legal wife?

With shaking hands, Rory grabbed her phone. She dialed Richard's number, but he didn't answer until the call died. She wanted to confront them, but she was afraid of getting hurt even more when the truth was thrown in her face.

Instead of going home, Rory went straight to a bar. She wanted to drown herself in alcohol, hoping it might ease the weight of what she was feeling.

When she got to the bar, she went straight to the counter. She ordered the strongest drink they had. Just for tonight, she wanted to forget the bitterness of her sister's and boyfriend's betrayal.

When the glass of alcohol was set down, Rory grabbed it and downed it in one go. The bitterness burned her throat, but the pain in her chest was still much stronger.

"Is that a heart problem?"

Rory turned when the old man next to her suddenly spoke. She raised an eyebrow at him but didn't answer. Instead, she turned back to her glass and signaled the bartender to fill it up again.

The man quickly complied.

Rory downed it just as quickly as the first one.

The old man laughed. "That's a bitter drink you chose, but you showed no expression while drinking it. Your eyes tell a different story, though."

Rory gave him a bitter smile. "Yeah. I guess the pain I'm feeling isn't going away anytime soon."

"And who's the person who dared to hurt a beautiful lady like you?"

Rory grimaced. "Are you flirting with me? I don't go for men who are old enough to be my dad."

The old man's eyes widened, and then he burst out laughing. A few people glanced their way, but he just kept laughing. After a moment, he finally composed himself.

"Don't worry. I don't go for people my child's age either. Besides, I'm married. I just think you'd be a good match for my son—"

Rory raised her hand. "I'm not really open to being set up right now. I just found out my boyfriend is cheating on me."

The old man smirked. "What's wrong with having an instant replacement for that crazy boyfriend of yours? You wouldn't be losing out with my son. Handsome, smart, rich."

Rory's eyebrow arched. "Your son's rich? Then why are you trying to set him up with a stranger in a bar?"

"Because I want to see him get married. I'm getting old. Of course, I want to see my only son get married before I die. You wouldn't be losing out if you married him, Missy."

Rory made a face. "Does your son even know you're doing this?"

The old man shrugged, then turned to the bartender to order more drinks. Both of them fell silent, just continuing to drink side by side.

Eventually, Rory glanced at her phone. A message from Richard.

"I'm sorry about my outburst earlier, baby. I hope you're not busy tomorrow? Can we have a late celebration for our anniversary?"

"Motherfucker," Rory cursed under her breath, deep and angry. She turned to the old man, who was already looking at her. "What can you offer me if I agree to marry your son?"