Chapter 3

When the Jenner family was in decline, I secretly reached out to my long-lost biological father to help the Jenner family and promised that I would pay back the debt.

Three months ago, my father's company faced a crisis and urgently needed a large amount of capital to tide it over.

"Either you make the Jenner family pay me back, or you get married to get some money! The Zachman family of Jakersville wouldn't have chosen you if their son weren't a cripple! But you sent yourself onto the other man's bed! I already told you that men are ingrates!"

Several times when my dad called for money, Jack was right beside me. I thought he could not hear, but I now realized that he had just been pretending.

Just then, a new update popped up on Facebook. Jack posted a photo of the sky full of fireworks, and Lina's silhouette looked especially happy.

Jack: [If I can't get you a star, I'll give you a starry sky. Welcome home, my princess.]

There was a comment below it. [What a stunning display of love! A few million dollars to get a pretty smile from a beautiful woman. Mr. Jenner sure is generous!]

I suddenly remembered the second month after Jack and I tasted the forbidden fruit. It was my 18th birthday, and he bought me a sparkler.

In the bright light, his face was full of sincerity. "Ariana, I will show you the most beautiful fireworks after we get through the hard times!"

I had no idea I was pregnant at the time, and I did not realize that the hard times ahead would be even harder.

In the hospital ward, Jack looked at my pale face after the surgery and said, "Sorry, Ariana. From now on, I'll buy the most expensive birth control pills and never let you suffer again!"

I should have realized it back then… I deserved this.

The memories were dispersed by the cold wind, and my frostbitten hands put my phone back into my pocket.

The last message on the phone was from my dad.

Dad: [You'd better behave yourself! The Zachman family will pick you up tomorrow.]

Dragging my suitcase, I plunged into the darkness. I would give myself one last cry. Jack and I would have nothing to do with each other after dawn.

After a night of turmoil, I finally found a hotel and settled in. Just as I was drifting off to sleep, my phone rang.

Jack's angry voice made my heart ache. "Where are you? All this just because Lina asserted her dominance in the group chat yesterday? Are you that petty? Everyone came to the class reunion to welcome Lina back! Do you have to be the outlier?

"Did you need me to carry you over? Because you didn't show, Lina's worried you're still holding a grudge over that slap! Hurry over and explain! Don't make Lina uneasy!"

His usually gentle voice was now filled with impatience. Jack had a bad temper, and I used to think I was his exception, but now that the real exception had returned, I realized I was just a deluded joke. However, I did not want to be a joke anymore.

"Why should I go? What does Lina's well-being have to do with me? And what right do you have to order me around? Jack, what gives you the right to call me? Do we have anything to do with each other?"

This was the first time I had ever talked back to Jack. I was not exactly mild-mannered. It was just that my love for him had worn down my edges.

Jack paused for a while before lowering his voice. "Ariana, are you jealous? Is this funny? I told you we were just fooling around. You have no right to be jealous! Besides, Lina and I are serious. No matter how big a fuss you make, it won't work. Ariana! I beg you! Will you stop causing trouble?"

I hung up immediately and got ready in front of the mirror.

Today, someone from the Zachman family was coming to pick me up. My mom taught me when I was little that I should be a worthwhile bargaining chip if I ever agreed to be one.

I planned to wait for the Zachman family downstairs, but I unexpectedly ran into Jack, Lina, and our old classmates in the hotel lobby.

Lina grabbed my arm and remarked with laughter, "So, this is why Jack changed locations! Ariana was waiting here! I knew Ariana wouldn't reject Jack. She didn't reply to his messages so that she could make a surprise appearance and get extra attention from us!"

Eight years had passed, and Lina's gaze toward me was still sharp and scrutinizing. "You disappeared for a whole night to dress up, huh? Anyone who didn't know better would think you were going to compete with me for today's spotlight!"

Lina's nails dug into my wrist, pulling me forcefully into her embrace as if it were a reunion hug after a long separation. However, she whispered in my ear, "Looks like I didn't make you back down yesterday. I gave you an eight-year head start, yet you still couldn't win over Jack. Clinging on now will only make you more pathetic."

Once she finished speaking, Lina suddenly shoved me hard, knocking me to the ground.