All Chapters of The Gloves That Ended Us: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

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

Chapter 2

Betty's words jogged my memory. This necklace was a birthday gift from my son last year.To surprise me, they'd gone to the auction incognito. That was why no one knew who bought it.Alex bought her story, frowning. "I thought you were just materialistic. Didn't figure you'd stoop to being a side piece for cash."I stayed silent, unwilling to waste my breath on people like them.But my silence made Alex think he'd hit the nail on the head. He pulled out his phone, sanctimonious. "How much do you need? I'll give it to you. Consider it compensation for your necklace.""No need. It isn't expensive," I said coldly.The necklace might be pricey for them, but even my son's allowance could cover that.I didn't need his money, nor did I want any connection with him. My husband would be mad.Alex paused, then chuckled, "Don't get me wrong. I simply can't stand seeing you like this. This is a charity gala. Helping an ex out with some living money is just humane. Don't worry. I've got zer

Chapter 3

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!

Chapter 4

'Roses?' I glanced down at my phone's wallpaper.It was just roses growing in our backyard. I thought they looked nice, so I snapped a picture for the screensaver.But his words reminded me of something. Years ago, when Alex was heartbroken, I bought him a rose."Pretty, huh?" I had placed it in his hand.He had nodded through tears.I had added, "Let's make a deal. As long as this rose doesn't wilt, you'll stay happy."From then on, I bought a fresh rose every day from the florist. I'd replace the old one, keeping the rose in the vase vibrant all the time.I'd forgotten about that old stuff after so many years.Alex looked down on me, his tone icy. "I'm about to marry Betty. There's no chance for us. Stop trying to win me back."Ignoring him, I tried to unlock my phone, but the mud on my hands interfered with the fingerprint scanner. I attempted Face ID next, but dirt on my face caused it to fail.I tried to enter the password, but Betty snatched the phone from me. "Can't ev

Chapter 5

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

Chapter 6

Kyle's words silenced the entire beach. The air felt as cold as eternal ice."I know you hate how your title makes people treat you special. But we're not pushovers. Next time, just say my name. I've got your back," he said.I swallowed nervously. Somehow, a wave of grievance welled up inside.I didn't cry when they accused me of stealing or when Alex humiliated me, but when Kyle said that, I couldn't hold back my tears.Kyle panicked, stroking my head. "Don't cry. Did I say something wrong? Did I hurt you?"He was usually composed, but whenever I cried, he would lose his cool.While he wiped my tears, the crowd started murmuring."Who hired these servers and security? They're so rude.""They didn't even recognize Mrs. Hines. She was in her own yard helping her kid with a project, and they called her a cleaner."The guard rubbed his sweaty hands and stepped forward with a forced smile. "Mr. Hines, it's all a misunderstanding. We didn't know this lady was Mrs. Hines. We thought

Chapter 7

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

Chapter 8

If I didn't act now, Kyle would be jealous for months."Enough! You said you'd never look back. You'd better honor that," I said.Alex got frantic, his tone urgent. "No, that was just angry talk. I've been waiting for you all along."I sighed, shaking my head. "I'm a wife and mother now. No need to waste time on me. Find a girl who loves you. From here on, we go our separate ways.""No!" Alex got worked up. "I'll never meet another girl who loves me like you. I can wait until you div..."Before he could finish, Kyle's punch landed on his face. "You have the nerve to say right in front of me you'll wait for my wife to divorce."Kyle's voice was chillingly cold. "You want her? There is one way. Step over my dead body. Try it!"Born into a rich family, he was kidnapped as a kid. To keep him safe, his family had sent him to train in the army. He was now top-notch in boxing and taekwondo.If they fought, it'd get bloody.With so many guests and reporters there, I didn't want Kyle t

Chapter 9

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.

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