Chapter 3

The moment Tessa left, I went straight to the hospital.

She had promised me that she'd be there for me that day for the operation, but she'd forgotten about it completely.

Right before the anesthesia took hold, I received a text message from her.

It read, "Chris, what I said earlier was entirely out of anger. Don't worry. I'll definitely marry you. I'll be back on Christmas Day. Wait for me.

"As for Matthew, just pretend he doesn't exist. I've already talked to him, and he promised he won't interfere with our life anymore."

I looked at her messages, then coldly turned my phone off.

For the past two years, she had fought against this engagement again and again, all for Matthew.

I had been ready to go abroad and set her free. But on the day of my departure, she ran to the airport, crying, begging me to stay.

That day, we lost control, and out of that recklessness, she became pregnant.

But later, just so Matthew wouldn't feel pressured when being with her, she quietly ended the pregnancy.

When I confronted her, she brushed it off like it was nothing, saying that the timing wasn't right and that she still hadn't had her fun.

It wasn't until my last moments alive that I learned the truth. The only reason Tessa chased me down at the airport was because the Coleman family had threatened her with Matthew.

The marriage between the Lowe and Coleman families was never going to change for anyone or anything. So even if she loved Matthew, she still had to marry me.

When I woke up, I was already in the ward. By then, she and Matthew had already gone to the beach.

Matthew sent me plenty of smug messages, which included pictures of him with her.

Tessa was on her tiptoes, wiping his sweat, her expression gentle. She had once looked at me the same way. Now, it only made me sick.

"Christopher, Ms. Coleman said that you like the ocean, too. If I'd known, I would've brought you along.

"Oh, and she planned a firework show just for me. I'll send you a video when it starts.

"Old man, if I were you, I'd have bowed out long ago. Clinging to her like this is just pathetic."

Before, I wouldn't have responded. But this time, I did. I texted back, "If you love Tessa so much, then you'd better hold on to her tight."

I wanted to see if he'd still stay by her side when she lost everything.

After sending the message, I was feeling so drained that I just wanted to set my phone down and catch a nap. Just as I was about to drift off, my phone rang.

The moment I picked up, Tessa's furious voice came crashing through. "Christopher, what is wrong with you now? I already said that we'd get married. Why do you keep taking things out on Matthew?

"I finally managed to take him out to enjoy the holiday, but you're ruining it. Apologize to him, or don't blame me for making you regret it on Christmas."

I frowned, irritated by her nagging.

She was still going on when I hung up and blocked her number.

I was discharged on Christmas Eve. Back home, I cleared out every trace of her. I packed up all her clothes, toothbrush, and even her books, and threw them out.

This was my house, and her things didn't belong here.

Afterward, I returned to the Lowe residence for dinner. As I watched the TV, I scrolled through my phone out of boredom.

Suddenly, a firework show shot to the top of the trending list. Seeing the initials TC and MG, I knew instantly that it was the firework show that Tessa had planned for Matthew.

Not long after, he sent me a video.

"Hey, cripple. Tessa said that this fireworks show was only for me. So what if you grew up with her? So what if you got hurt for her? She still doesn't love you.

"Honestly, I don't even mind if you two get married. Because either way, she loves me."

That was when a notification popped up.

Looking at the message, I smirked.

"Let tonight be the last wild ride for these two lovebirds."

On Christmas Day, the Coleman family had reserved a top private room to finalize the marriage agreement.

But as the bride-to-be, Tessa was nowhere to be seen.

Brandon Coleman's expression was cold as he snapped, "What's wrong with her? Acting out during the holiday is one thing, but on a day this important, she's late? She has been spoiled rotten. When she gets here, I'll make sure she pays for this."

Lilian Sullivan looked anxious. When Brandon barked at her, she only lowered her head in silence.

Around the table, everyone's faces were tight with displeasure.

But I knew that Tessa was right downstairs, waiting for me to apologize to Matthew. Her tardiness was just another way of teaching me a lesson.

I was waiting for someone else, too. I reassured both families, ignoring the constant buzzing of my phone. Half an hour later, the calls finally stopped. And then, the private room door was thrown open.

Tessa stormed in furiously. "Christopher, are you blind? I told you to apologize to Matthew. This is your last chance. If you don't, there won't be an engagement today."

The room went dead silent.

Brandon slammed a hand against the table and shot to his feet. "You ungrateful brat! Being late is one thing, but threatening Christopher? Apologize to him right now!"

Dad's face was equally grim as he let out a cold snort. "Brandon, Tessa seems pretty ignorant. She shows no regard for the Lowe family at all."

Brandon looked furious, pressing her to apologize.

However, she stubbornly refused.

Then, Matthew came running in pitifully. "Ms. Coleman, don't get angry with him because of me. I'm used to being treated like this. I've lived my whole life like this."

Tessa's face darkened even more. She leaned close to my ear, whispering a threat. "Christopher, if you don't apologize, this marriage arrangement is over. Let's see if your family still accepts you then.

"When that happens, I'll make sure the media knows that the only son from the Lowe family forced his fiancee to get an abortion. Do you think the Lowe family will survive that?"

I jerked my head up, staring at her in disbelief.

She arched a brow, coaxing me. "Chris, it's just one apology. Say it, and this will all be over. I'll even agree to set the wedding date today. You know what the right choice is, don't you?"

Dad, though furious, hadn't once said that we should break the engagement.

That only made her more brazen and confident that I'd cave.

But a moment later, the door swung open again, and a striking figure stepped inside.