Chapter 3

Maybe my gaze was too chilling, because Evelyn flinched.

Cole immediately stepped forward, shielding her behind him. He jabbed a finger at me and cursed, “Jace, how can you be so heartless? Evelyn has promised to give you one day a week, and it’s fine if you don’t appreciate it. Fine. But now you’re even pretending to be her brother-in-law? Everyone in this city knows Evelyn’s sister has a mysterious husband whom she won’t tolerate anyone crossing. Are you trying to drag Evelyn down with you? How cruel can you be!”

His words made me pause.

Back then, Cole never missed a chance to undermine me, always trying to push me down. He even went out of his way to badmouth me in front of Evelyn, hoping to split us up.

However, she never believed him. In fact, she punished him harshly once for spreading lies. Yet now, the woman who once defended me the most was standing at Cole’s side.

She grabbed his hand and flung a wad of cash straight at my face.

“Enough. Stop pretending. For old time’s sake, I won’t press charges. Look at you, so pitiful. This money should last you a month.”

The sharp edges of the bills cut across my face, leaving thin trails of blood. I ignored it and lifted my eyes to stare at Evelyn. For a brief moment, guilt and panic flashed across her face.

Seeing that, I let out a cold laugh and bent down.

Now, Evelyn’s panic vanished, replaced once again with mockery.

“I thought you had some pride left…”

Her voice trailed off when she saw me pick something out from the scattered bills. Her eyes froze because in my hand, glinting among the red notes, was a ring.

She rushed to block my way before I could leave.

“Still pretending, are you? Any of these bills is worth more than that cheap ring of yours!” Her face twisted, a mix of irritation and something else.

I ignored her, smacking her hand aside with force.

Her arm stiffened midair, her teeth grinding audibly as she yelled, “Fine! You think you’re so tough now, huh? You’re poor and bitter but full of attitude. Three days from now, I’m getting married to Cole. Val will also be back that day, with her mysterious husband. If you’ve got the guts, come!”

The word “wedding” made Cole’s eyes light up. He quickly added, “Or maybe he’s too scared of being exposed. Maybe he won’t even dare show up.”

I had no desire to argue further. Turning away, I strode toward the door, and before I walked out, I left them with one sentence.

“Three days from now, I’ll be there. I hope you’ll be as confident as you are now.”

Stepping out into the night, I finally breathed in fresh air, easing the nausea twisting my stomach.

I pulled out my phone and replayed the video I’d received three years ago. On the screen, Evelyn leaned in Cole’s arms, laughing with smug delight.

“Jace’s so boring. I do love him, but he’ll never give me the excitement I want. Once I’ve had my fun with this fake death, I’ll go back. He’s the type you settle down with. And after this stunt, with his personality, he might even kill himself over me. You all need to keep an eye on him.”

The day she was pronounced dead, I really did think about ending it all. It was her so-called friends who stopped me, holding me back, telling me not to be stupid. Now, I realize their twisted sobs were just them choking back laughter.

I put my phone away and looked up at the yellow glow of the streetlights. Whether Evelyn was dead or alive, in my heart, she had ceased to exist three years ago.