Chapter 4

“People come bearing invaluable gifts to celebrate John’s birthday. Grace, you use John’s card even when you buy a bag worth a little more than ten thousand dollars. Well, it’s great that you’re so thoughtful. But why waste the money?”

Lana’s underlying meaning was clear. She claimed that I could only rely on men and that I could not afford anything on my own. In the end, I was just depending on John’s money.

When the onlookers heard that, they took Lana’s side and looked at me contemptuously.

I calmly watched John unwrap the gift. When he pulled off the last ribbon, the object was finally revealed.

The noisy hall fell silent.

I indifferently smiled and clapped.

“Happy birthday, John. Sign it. It’s the best gift you’ve got today!”

Of course, it was not a gift, but a neatly folded divorce agreement.

The crowd quickly fell into an uproar.

John’s initial glee while unwrapping the gift had vanished. His expression turned frighteningly hideous.

Everyone else had laughed at me for being an ingrate. In the next second, John tore the agreement into pieces and flung the pieces into the air. The pieces fell like snowflakes.

The anger that John had been suppressing exploded into a roar. “Dream on, Grace! You’re always mine, even if you’re dead!”

For a moment, I was struck dumb on the spot. I had never seen such a side of him. After scanning the entire database, I still failed to find such recordings of him.

He looked weak and furious. He seemed like he could burst into flames at any minute.

He seemed to take notice of the silent hall and realized that he had lost control. After taking some time to calm down, he met my poker face, which infuriated him again.

Ignoring all the guests, he pulled me into the bedroom. His weakness was exposed when we were alone together.

“Didn’t we swear to never break up with each other? You love me so much. Why did you stop loving me?”

He buried his head near my neck as I felt his hot breath and tears. It was itchy, which frustrated me for no reason.

Based on my data analysis, his despair was real. It was a surprise to me.

“We? It’s long over between us. You cheated on me openly and brought Lana home. I made it clear to you many times, but you never believed me.”

While talking, I disgustedly wiped my neck clean with a tissue. My action filled him with despair.

He took a few steps back. “We’ve been a couple for five years! How could you act so cruelly and forget about everything?!”

I remained indifferent. “Yes, Mr. Miller. I was once a love-struck fool. But it was in the past.”

Then, I paused and pointed at my head. “It’s gone now. I need to thank you for that. If not, I wouldn’t have realized that I needed to remove the part of me that loves you. It’s a bug in my system.”

My words sent him spiraling into a mental breakdown.

He was stupefied for a moment before he abruptly looked up. His pleading gaze was quickly replaced by a furious and malicious look after the humiliation.

“Stop acting, Grace Stone! You can’t ever stop loving me. Do you think I can’t bear to lose you?! No, I’ll only lead a better life without you! Are you hoping for a divorce? No way!”

He smashed a red invitation card against my arms. “My engagement party with Lana is in three days. You will be there on time.”

He stressed his words as his gaze remained fixed on me. He was trying to capture a moment of pain and regret in me.

But when I got the card, I wondered how he would be punished for his bigamy.

For the next three days, I remained busy in my drawing studio. When I heard the loud fireworks outside, I recalled that it was the day of their engagement.

I put on a long red gown and sashayed into the hall.

The couple on stage made a perfect pair. Lana wore a luxurious gown and stood close to John. They were receiving guests’ blessings.

However, I looked past everything and noticed The Blue Star around her slender neck.

It made me recall my words on the yellowing card. I found the irony almost amusing.

John seemed to notice something as he raised his head. He hugged Lana firmly and raised his voice. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to celebrate my happiness with Lana. Today is the day we’ll all be free of past mistakes and tribulations.”

The reporters instantly surrounded me and moved their microphones toward me. They wanted to ask me about my thoughts.

I looked at John and said loudly, “Of course I’m here. This engagement party would be boring if I’m absent.”

While talking, I walked toward the stage and picked up a microphone.

Everyone looked at me. I politely smiled at the guests and reporters.

The people on the stage made faces at each other. They wondered if I was there to snatch away the groom. They eagerly waited for the night’s entertainment.

However, John saw my smile while standing nearby and noticed something. He frantically ran backstage. He did not even notice that he had pushed Lana to the floor.

“You’re slow, John.”

Then, a bloody video was displayed on the screen. Several guests, including Lana, turned panic-stricken. They could not stop trembling. Someone with a weak stomach even vomited on the spot.

I smiled brightly at John, who was clenching his fists and barely able to restrain himself.

“Dear Mr. Miller, do you like the wedding gift I got you?”