Chapter 2

I would always be grateful to Christopher. If it hadn't been for him, I would've died in that river back then.

I never would have escaped that remote town, never would have made it into a top university, or become someone Mr. Sterling truly valued.

But I'd also spent years feeling guilty. If he hadn't saved me, he never would've ended up frail and walking with a permanent limp.

His hatred and resentment toward me suddenly seemed completely justified.

"Marvin, everyone thinks you're so smart and lucky. But I think you're just an idiot."

Christopher threw me onto the hotel bed, patted my cheek, and sneered. "You were always the perfect kid. My parents were always comparing me to you.

"I hated you. That's why I shoved you into the river. I didn't pull you out until I saw your parents running over.

"After that, your whole family treated me like a hero. Even my own parents finally looked at me differently."

He continued, "I faked that limp for 20 years, and during that time, you bent over backward for me without ever questioning it. Every time I saw the guilt in your eyes, I could barely stop myself from laughing."

I ground my teeth, but I couldn't move a muscle.

So, that was it. For two decades, I'd treated my worst enemy as my closest friend.

"Tomorrow's your wedding day. As your best friend, I've got a special gift waiting for you," Christopher said.

He spent a while searching for my phone but couldn't find it. In the end, he clicked his tongue in annoyance.

At that moment, the door opened. I couldn't move a single limb.

Everything my wedding ring had warned me about was unfolding before my eyes.

"Chris," someone called out.

I used every ounce of strength I had to pry my eyes open. A woman in silk sleepwear stepped inside and nestled against Christopher's chest.

My breath hitched.

It was Annabelle, my fiancee, who had always kept me at arm's length and spoke to me with nothing but cold indifference.

I watched as Christopher slipped an arm around her waist.

"Chris, do you like this set?" Annabelle asked, her voice dripping with sweetness.

So, those revealing sleepwear photos I'd caught a glimpse of on his phone earlier had come from her.

"I love it."

Christopher pulled Annabelle onto his lap and sat beside me. They were so close that I could feel the warmth coming off them.

"Wait… Will he wake up?"

"The bed could cave in, and he wouldn't even stir."

Christopher kissed Annabelle hard and added, "Come on, sweetheart. You know my leg. I'll need you to do the work."

The two of them carried on right beside me.

A metallic taste rose in my mouth. If my wedding ring hadn't warned me, I'd have spent the rest of my life feeling guilty for them.

Then, Annabelle spoke. "Once my dad loses all faith in him tomorrow, I'll fake a mental breakdown and get myself hospitalized.

"A few months later, when my belly starts to show, you propose. Then we can finally be together for real."

She continued talking through their plans for the future, while Christopher smiled smugly.

"I was the one who met you first. Your dad's so old-fashioned. He just picked some guy and expected you to marry him. If he really loved you, he never would've done that."

Meanwhile, I stared blankly at them, tangled up in each other.

A few minutes later, Christopher helped Annabelle get dressed, then said, "The people I called are here. Let's go to your room."

"But my dad's home."

"Isn't that what makes it more exciting?"

Just like that, they walked away, chatting and laughing.

Moments later, the door opened again, and a blend of perfumes drifted into the room.

Then, someone ripped my shirt open, sending the buttons flying.

I stared at the ceiling and swore inwardly, "Christopher and Annabelle, you'd better pray I don't survive tonight. Because if I do, I'll destroy you both."