The Gloves That Ended Us のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 1 - チャプター 9

My fiancé, Alex Thompson, spent a fortune at an auction for his first love, Betty Bates.But he only got me a pair of dishwashing gloves from his supermarket points.On the country's biggest private vacation island, Alex stepped off the plane with Betty, who was in a high-end mermaid gown.They drew a crowd of admirers right away."Mr. Thompson, I didn't expect you'd show up for this charity gala. I heard you took over the company just five years ago and crushed dozens of competitors. You're really making waves young," someone said.Alex smiled. "This gala is just a cover. Everyone here is gunning for that big investor's attention."People nodded, sharing the same goal.The host of this event was a rare gem of an investor.Someone turned to Betty and showered her with praise. "This must be Mrs. Thompson. She's stunning. You're a lucky man, Mr. Thompson."Betty hooked her arm through Alex's and giggled behind her hand. "We're not married yet. Alex says once this project is a su

Alex's hand shook slightly with the highball glass. "You're married and still doing that stuff? Does your husband know?"I said nothing.His furrowed brow relaxed a bit. Then he scoffed, "Ha, I get it. You're bluffing to rile me up and make me come back. I didn't know you were this scheming. But we're over. Even if you claimed you had kids, I wouldn't care."He didn't have to tell me that. I knew he only cared for Betty.But back then, he pursued me, swearing he'd gotten over Betty long ago to ease my worries.His resolve touched me, and I agreed to be with him.Now, in his mouth, I was desperately clinging to him.Betty snatched my bag and dumped the trash all over the ground. "With your broke-ass vibe, you think you can snag rich folks' trash? You aren't taking even one bottle today."My hard work on my son's project was ruined, making me furious.I reached to grab the bag back, but before I could touch her, she flung herself backward and fell onto the sand."Ah, you bitch!

Felix bit down on Betty's arm, leaving a neat row of teeth marks.Betty screamed and let go.Felix jumped free from her grasp."You little brat, how dare you bite me?" Betty raised her hand to smack his back.But her hand hung in mid-air, unable to come down.Kyle Hines stood expressionless, gripping her wrist. With one shove, he flung her onto the ground.Felix ran up and hugged Kyle's leg. Tear-streaked, he pointed at the stunned Betty. "Dad, it's this mean lady. She wouldn't let me go and threw Mom down."Betty went pale, realizing she had made a grave mistake. Her body started to tremble uncontrollably.Kyle glanced at her, then told his assistant to take Felix away.Felix lay on the assistant's shoulder, fuming. "These people bullied Mom. You gotta teach them a lesson."Relieved, I cried out, "Honey!"Alex stiffened, staring at me in disbelief. "Kyle Hines is your husband?""So what? Let me go!" I struggled to break free from his grip.He laughed like he'd heard the f

Betty's eyes widened in shock, her grip on Alex's arm tightening."What the hell?" she snapped. "I'm your fiancée, and you're siding with someone else?"Alex didn't blink. "Even so, I can't twist facts to cover for you."Betty's hand dropped limply from his suit. She let out a weak, bitter laugh. "I see it. It's all because of Chelsea, right? You still wanna rekindle things with her. What about me? I've been with you for years."Alex shook his head. "You suggested I buy her those gloves to test her sincerity. I did it and lost the woman I loved most."He laughed self-mockingly. "I searched for her for five years. Only now do I see how stupid I was.""Wake up!" Betty grabbed his collar. "Marrying her would've been stupid. She was only with you for your money. Why else do you think she showed up to comfort you when you were depressed?""No. She loved me without expecting anything. Not like you, just out to bleed me dry!" he snapped, venting his pent-up resentment. "You ditched me

I thought that was the end of it.But one day after work, I saw a familiar figure at the company entrance."Chelsea," Alex called out, his eyes bloodshot.He was disheveled and unkempt, nothing like his former sharp self. I didn't know what he'd gone through since leaving the island.He handed me a thick notebook. "Remember these?"I opened it. Each page had carefully preserved rose specimens he'd made."I kept every rose you gave me. I was scared they'd wilt, so I pressed them in here. Look how beautiful they are." He forced a weak smile. "You said as long as the roses don't fade, you'd love me. Let's start over, okay?"I didn't stop walking. "It's pointless. Toss it. We don't need this stuff anymore."He called after me, "Are you worried about Betty? I kicked her out. She won't show up in our lives again."I paused, turning around. "Betty's no good, but you can't abandon the kid. He can't grow up without a mom.""What are you talking about?" He blinked. "I don't have a kid.