Chapter 2

Grayson disliked the smell of alcohol, so over the years, I turned down one gathering after another. Little by little, I lost touch with my friends. I spent every day with him only, and in the end, I did not even have a single person left to borrow money from.

I was left with no choice, so I brought Dolly’s ashes back home first.

I stood in the doorway and looked down at my worn-out socks and shoes, their soles peeling and paint flaking. I looked painfully out of place in this lavish, gilded villa.

For years, Grayson had claimed he was saving up for our marriage by holding on to my salary and tightly controlling my spending.

Whether it was using a frayed toothbrush or my clothes coming apart at the seams, I never complained. I even turned down an overseas offer from a top tech company, choosing instead to stay by his side and carry this burden with him.

In the end, I lost everything.

Sylvia stole my career, and now, she had taken away my sister, my only family.

It was time I started planning things for myself.

With that thought in mind, I called the overseas tech company.

“I accept your offer. Give me three days. I’ll start working abroad after that.”

They agreed immediately, almost too quickly, as though they were afraid I would change my mind.

Just as I hung up, a voice came from behind me.

“What’s this about going abroad?”

Grayson had returned at some point.

I did not even look up and brushed him off.

“My friend is going abroad and asked for my opinion on something.”

He let out a cold laugh.

“Stop lying. Who else do you have, aside from me?”

Realizing he had gone too far, he patted my shoulder.

“Don’t be childish. I’m only making you and Dolly wait for now because of my plan for revenge.”

Then, he took out his phone and transferred $100 to me.

“Use this to buy Dolly some nutritious food and toys. Just don’t let Sylvia find out. She’ll make a fuss again.”

He complained about Sylvia, but the affection in his eyes was impossible to hide.

We were supposed to be the real couple, yet I felt like the one who did not belong, like a rat hiding in the shadows.

At first, Grayson truly had been set on avenging Sylvia. Every time a plan succeeded, he would turn to me with a tender, knowing look.

I played my part well too, putting on the act of being devastated, believing we were one step closer to revenge.

However, slowly, something changed. The way Grayson looked at Sylvia grew more and more admiring, even affectionate. His indifference and impatience toward me no longer felt like an act.

He did not seem to realize that his so-called revenge had long since gone off course.

I sent the money back to him. My throat burned with bitterness.

“Grayson, we…”

Should break up.

Before the words could leave my mouth, I heard the electronic door lock’s code being keyed in from outside.

Sylvia walked in and froze when she saw us.

“Grayson, didn’t you say you came back to get my birthday gift? Is this it?”

She strode forward and shoved me aside. Her voice was sharp with disgust.

“Jade, how can an ex-girlfriend like you have the nerve to keep living in your ex-boyfriend’s house like some parasite? Have you no shame?!”

The air turned suffocatingly awkward. Grayson broke the silence. He opened a drawer, took out a scarf, and handed it to her with a gentle expression.

“I didn’t lie. I did come back for your gift. I didn’t expect Jade to be here, asking for money.”

I had once believed he had the scarf custom-made for me. In the end, it was just another illusion I had mistaken for Grayson’s love.