Chapter 2 Stolen Rings

At that realization, I let out a silent scoff.

I no longer wanted to hear the rest of Harold's so-called explanation, so I slapped his hand away and hailed a taxi.

Through the rear-view mirror, I watched as he merely glanced at the departing vehicle before turning back to Leila.

My last bit of faith in him was dashed.

Holding back my tears, I opened the company app and submitted my resignation without hesitation. When I returned to the mansion, I began packing my things to move out.

…

That evening, Harold didn't come home.

He had dinner with Leila at a restaurant that had recently gone viral among couples.

Leila even posted a series of photos to commemorate it. The post's caption read, 'Our Mr. CEO said we must celebrate the first day of our new marriage.'

When I saw the matching phone cases and cute couple poses in the photos, my heart ached in bitterness.

When I first started dating Harold, I wanted to use matching items and take goofy couple photos. He shot my requests down as childish.

Now, despite having grown older, he was willing to play along with Leila.

While I was lost in thought, a notification from the work app appeared.

My resignation had been approved.

For a moment, I froze. Then, I noticed the painfully familiar pair of rings on Harold and Leila's fingers.

I shot to my feet and searched for the ring box I had been thinking of. It was empty.

In that instant, I was certain. The rings in those photos were the custom pair I had commissioned years ago for my own wedding.

Not only did the rings cost me millions, but I also designed and worked on them myself. While I would not be using them at this rate, it would be my only asset after I leave this relationship.

Suppressing my fury, I messaged Harold, demanding to know where the rings went.

The read receipts appeared, but he did not reply.

After a while, I pulled out my last trump card. 'Since you don't know either, it must have been stolen. I'll call the police right away.'

The moment the message was sent, I could see him typing a response. After a few seconds, he replied.

'I'm holding a wedding with Leila at the church tomorrow, but the rings we ordered haven't arrived yet. I'm only borrowing yours for now. I'll return them after the ceremony.'

The realization of just how little he thought of the rings I dearly cherished caused my heart to turn to ice.

'No need. I don't wear used goods. Since you gave them to her, pay for them. Give me 20 million.'

I thought he would never agree to the deal, but I was soon greeted by a text notifying me of a 20 million transfer.

He also called me.

In a warning tone, he said, "I've paid you, Nina. Behave yourself now and stop troubling Leila."

He then hung up.

The phone screen went dark, reflecting my exhausted face and the tears that had started falling at some point.

At that moment, I realized that nine whole years of unwavering devotion had gone to waste.

Wanting to leave this revolting mansion as soon as possible, I packed faster and contacted a moving company.

…

The next morning, before the movers arrived, Harold's parents arrived home, even though they were meant to be vacationing overseas.

The moment Derek and Diana walked in, they saw how much thinner and more haggard I had become. They pulled me into their arms, holding back tears.

"It's all his fault. He refused to listen to us and insisted on test tube babies. You've suffered so much… If he dares to mistreat you in the future, we won't ever forgive him!"

Their declarations struck me hard.

All along, I thought Harold's parents truly would not want us married unless I was pregnant. Now, it seemed to be the exact opposite.

I clenched my fists in fury. The bubble wrap in my hands crackled and popped as well.

Only then did Harold's parents notice the luggage and boxes around me. They looked confused.

"Why are you moving? Where's Harold? How could he leave you to handle all this alone?"

In the past, when Harold went out with other women, I would help him maintain his image in front of his parents. However, there was no need for that anymore.

I told them the entire truth.

They were furious and immediately began calling Harold.

However, all of their calls went unanswered. Beside themselves with anger, they called the office instead, demanding to know where Harold and Leila's wedding was being held.

"Don't be scared, Nina," Diana said firmly. "We'll discipline that ungrateful brat for you."