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Todos los capítulos de One Man's Trash Is Another Man's Treasure: Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 9

9 Capítulos

Chapter 1

A loud smack resonated in the air. I had just slapped Jim Charleston, my foster brother and secret boyfriend. My fingertips tingled slightly as I withdrew my hand.Jim stared at me dazedly as he held his red, swollen face. His eyes had once had me head over heels for him. Now, they were filled with only shock and disbelief. Jim tried to speak, but I cut him off coldly. "Did you really think dropping to your knees would make me forgive you and pretend like nothing ever happened, Jim?""I know you're angry, Cece, but please hear me out," Jim begged.He shuffled forward on his knees to try to grab my hand. "I once promised you that if I came back alive, I would marry you in style. I also said I would never leave your side again. But that was three years ago. Things have changed, and Anne is pregnant with my child—"Jim paused. His gaze was full of self-righteous, deep affection and helplessness.He continued, "But you and I have also been together for a decade. How could I just wal

Chapter 2

I ignored the pleading and pained look in Jim's eyes."Make some arrangements, Dad. Let's not let the public see our family's dirty laundry," I said.When I returned to my room, I saw the walls were lined with dozens of portraits. They were all men whom my father had carefully selected as potential marriage candidates.The candidates consisted of trust-fund heirs, rising business moguls, and up-and-coming political elites, among others. I walked straight toward the most inconspicuous portrait tucked away in a corner.It was of Luke Larson. He was the city's most notorious trust-fund playboy—a spendthrift with a debaucherous lifestyle.Dad had hung Luke's portrait in the farthest corner. He probably thought someone like that wasn't even fit to be a backup option."Alfred," I called. Our family's butler, Alfred Winslow, entered. He still looked visibly stunned from what had happened earlier."Contact the Larsons and tell them I've agreed," I instructed.Alfred looked even more ta

Chapter 3

The man was Luke Larson. The infamous playboy of the capital had actually shown up at my doorstep, all on his own.Without even looking up, Luke lazily said, "Ms. Forrest, what do you want as an engagement gift? Would you like my sincere heart?"I stopped in front of him and scrutinized him judgmentally. Luke was indeed better looking in person than in photos. However, he was also even more arrogant and unserious."I want the port that the Larsons own in the southern part of the city," I answered.The moment the words left my mouth, Luke immediately sat up straight. His frivolous smirk instantly vanished, and his gaze turned sharp.He stared at me for a few seconds. Then, he suddenly grinned."Deal," Luke said.He stood and brushed dust off his suit. "But let me remind you that this foster brother of yours is not someone to be taken lightly. Watch out, he might just ruin our engagement party."It seemed Luke knew more about Jim than I had thought. Just then, the sounds of an ar

Chapter 4

My relationship with Luke had started as a simple transaction. But it was shifting into something far more complicated and nuanced.I began to reevaluate this seemingly frivolous playboy.It was the night before the engagement party. I had just finished showering and was applying body lotion in front of the mirror when the bedroom door violently burst open.Jim stumbled in. He reeked of alcohol, and his eyes were bloodshot. When he saw me dressed in nothing but a thin bathrobe, his gaze instantly burned with desire and desperation."Cece!" Jim cried.Then, he rushed up to me. He grabbed my wrist with such force that I grimaced. His warm, alcohol-laced breath hit my face when he continued."Don't get engaged! Please just believe me one more time!"Jim's voice was hoarse and filled with despair. Tears streamed down his cheeks and dripped onto the back of my hand.I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened. His nails practically dug into my skin. His voice shook as he cried, "Th

Chapter 5

A battered, off-road vehicle rammed through the hotel's decorative water fountain, sending water spraying in all directions. It drifted to a stop in front of the car Luke and I were in.My heart thudded violently in my chest. Jim actually came.With a loud bang, the car door flew open. Jim stumbled out, blood streaming from his forehead. The face that I had once longed for day and night now looked so disheveled. It was like staring at a stranger.With bloodshot eyes, Jim pulled out a gun from his waistband. My breath immediately caught in my throat when he aimed the dark barrel straight at Luke.Jim's hand trembled violently as he roared, "If you dare marry him, Cecilia, I'll kill him!"Like the final howl of a trapped beast, his voice split the air. There was a despair in it that I had never heard before. The rawness of it struck me in my chest.No, I couldn't let myself waver.I opened the car door, but my legs were shaky. Was ten years of relationship really about to end righ

Chapter 6

The guests at the engagement party were whispering among each other. They were waiting to see my family make a fool of ourselves.Luke, impeccably dressed in a suit, stood on stage with a smile on his face. His voice rang out clearly through the entire banquet hall."Dear guests, I'm sure you all witnessed the commotion earlier. My father-in-law took Jim Charleston in when he was a young boy. Unfortunately, Jim became twisted after being abandoned by his family, and his jealousy led to extreme actions."A stir rippled through the audience."However, this only proves that my fiancee's charm is truly unparalleled," Luke continued.Then, he raised his glass and swept his gaze across every guest. "Being able to marry the daughter of the Forrest family today is the greatest blessing of my life."The applause was thunderous.From the stage, I watched as the guests' expressions changed faster than flipping through a book. I sneered internally. Just moments ago, they were mocking me. No

Chapter 7

"I don't want him dead. I just want to watch him destroy everything he holds most dear with his own hands," Luke added.His words sent a shiver down my spine.Luke appeared to be nothing more than a frivolous playboy. However, his mind was far deeper and more terrifying than I had imagined. And I had become part of his revenge plan.Luke continued while extinguishing his cigarette butt. "Now that you know the truth… Do you still want to continue playing this game?"I looked down at the report in my hands and reflected. I thought of the pain and despair in Jim's eyes and Anne's timid, pitiful expression. Then, I thought about how the three years I had spent waiting and longing had all been one big joke.As I closed the file, I answered, "Yes, we're accomplices now."Luke smiled. It was filled with satisfaction, admiration, and a hint of something I couldn't quite decipher."Then here's to a happy partnership, Mrs. Larson," he said.…Luke and I counterattacked discreetly but wi

Chapter 8

I stood up and stared down at her from above."You're Anne Shaw, the daughter of Ewan Shaw. Did you really think I didn't know who you are?" I said with derision.As I was saying this, the door to the hospital room opened. Jim had walked in carrying a thermal lunchbox. He still wore a gentle smile.Apparently, he had heard everything because the lunchbox slipped from his hands. Hot stew splashed everywhere as it crashed to the floor.Jim stood frozen in the doorway. The light in his eyes gradually extinguished. At that moment, the love he had carefully built, the burden he had carried, and the justifications he had clung to all came crashing down.Jim's voice trembled as he asked, "Anne… Is this true?"Anne panicked. She wanted to explain, but in the face of the truth, any words she said would seem weak and empty.Picking up my bag, I walked past Jim."This is the woman you chose to betray me for, Jim. I hope she was worth it," I said.That night, Luke found Jim at an undergro

Chapter 9

"Is there something that needs to be taken care of, Ms. Forrest?" Alfred cautiously asked.I took a deep breath and began tearing the letter into shreds. The pieces floated through the air like snowflakes, mirroring my broken heart."Give this and the pendant to my father. Let him deal with it," I instructed. My voice was steady, but only I knew how much it hurt to say those words.The wedding took place in a grand cathedral. A long red carpet stretched down the aisle, flanked by rows of elegantly dressed guests.As I held my father's arm and slowly walked down the aisle to Luke, the guests' whispers drifted to my ears."Ms. Forrest sure moved on fast. She forgot her ex just like that.""Luke Larson is one lucky bastard. He scored big with this one.""I heard Jim Charleston has been deployed to a war zone. There's no telling if he's even still alive."The last line caught my attention. However, I forced myself not to think about where he might be right now, whether he had arriv

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