Chapter 3

I turned around and saw Olivia.

What was she doing here?

Autumn eyed Olivia up with obvious displeasure and said scornfully, “Fiancé? Who are you talking about?”

Olivia linked her arm through mine, offering a charming smile. “The man right beside me, of course. My fiancé is here today to break off his engagement with you.”

She blurted it out so suddenly that I instinctively looked over at Autumn. A strange look flashed across Autumn’s eyes, but she quickly returned to normal.

She scoffed and confronted me. “Break off the engagement? You certainly came up with a good excuse this time.”

Then, she swept her gaze over Olivia again. “Nice act. She’s pretty hot, too. When you’re done fooling around, don’t forget to go home.”

I looked down and let out a silent, bitter laugh. What was I even to her?

Unable to stand it, Olivia struck back on my behalf. “He’s not going home with you. As I said, he’s here to break off the engagement. Things are over between you both.”

Autumn froze for a moment, but once she processed the words, she burst out laughing.

“Mark, taking an act too far isn’t good. Back when we got engaged, you begged me dozens of times before I finally agreed. If you break off the engagement this time, there won’t be a next time.”

My fingers clenched.

How could I have forgotten that I was the one who had forced this engagement? Even at the height of my love for her, I could only bring myself to peck her on the cheek. Then, devoutly, I asked if she would marry me.

I thought our love was progressing naturally, but I never expected her reaction.

She paused for a moment and said, “I need time to think.”

I respected her decision, thinking she was just taken aback by the sudden proposal.

Later, whenever we ate together, I would subtly ask about her thoughts on getting engaged. Yet, she always put me off with various excuses. That was until the last time, when I got down on one knee and surrendered myself to her.

“Autumn, I’m not asking you to marry me. I’m begging you to take me as your husband. Please?”

That day, she looked shocked.

Finally, she relented. “Fine.”

Overjoyed, I spent all my savings to set up the proposal, from balloons to fireworks, a red carpet, and glowing lights. Everything was the best because Autumn deserved all the finest things in this world.

At the proposal, I placed the ring on her finger in front of everyone. Then, when we returned home, Autumn kissed me and reached for my collar.

I stopped her. “Autumn, we’ll be together after we’re officially married.”

Disappointment flashed in her eyes.

“Mark, what kind of man are you? If that’s the case, why did you propose and put me in such an awkward position?”

Put her in an awkward position?

I was stunned. She had accepted my proposal… just because of that?

That night, she went out again and didn’t return home. The very next day, I saw the video of her playing dress-up in a wedding gown with someone else.

Autumn’s mocking voice pulled my thoughts back to reality. “Why aren’t you speaking? Are you regretting it now? If it weren’t for me, you would still be out there selling your lousy paintings god knows where. You wouldn’t even be good enough to get a job in Sky Group!”

Unable to hold back her anger, Olivia spoke up for me again. “What’s Sky Group anyway? Mark is the heir of Harbor City’s weal–”

I pulled Olivia back, cutting off her words. Then, I took off my engagement ring and handed it to Autumn.

“Let’s break off the engagement. I don’t want you or the status you speak of anymore.”