Lahat ng Kabanata ng A Decade of Misplaced Devotion: Kabanata 1 - Kabanata 10

...That kick had packed my full force, and Laurent Reilly winced in pain.The employees who'd been mocking me alongside him fell dead silent. Everyone stared at me in shock because they all knew he was Stella Stafford's golden boy.Offending him was the same as offending her. And I was known as her top simp, always bending over backward for her.Laurent clutched his chest, shooting me a venomous glare. "Can't take a joke, huh? You're way too sensitive. Stella, my chest hurts like hell. I think my ribs are broken."The next moment, security guards clamped down on my arms from both sides. Stella, in her high heels, slammed her foot into my abdomen.She'd trained in ballet for over a decade, so the force in her legs was no joke.Pain exploded through my body, draining the color from my face as cold sweat beaded on my forehead. Uncaring, she glared at me like I was her enemy, not her husband-to-be."Have you lost your mind?" she spat. "Laurent was just trying to liven up our weddi

Six months ago, Laurent carelessly tossed a cigarette butt, starting a fire in the conference room. To let him escape first, Stella used my body as a shield.In the end, my back got third-degree burns.I lay in bed, groaning in agony, while Stella took the unscathed Laurent on a so-called stress-relief trip.A month later, on the day I got discharged, she finally showed up with nothing but mean words. "You chewed Laurent out in front of everyone that day, which put him in a bad mood and led him to smoke in the conference room. He's had nightmares for a month. Go apologize to him, and then we'll get married. Deal?"I'd caved for love back then. But from that moment on, my feelings for her started to fade. Until the wedding, when she left with Laurent, my love for her died completely.Unsettled by my silence, she hurled a few more harsh words and stormed out.After the doctor checked me over, I grabbed my phone to hire a caregiver. But as I scrolled through my feed, I saw Laurent h

...Stella was pleasantly surprised, so much so that she didn't clock the trashed paste."What gift are you giving me and Laurent?" she asked eagerly.I flashed a cryptic grin. "You'll find out on the wedding day. Oh, and you forgot again. I'm allergic to peanuts."...The wedding day rolled around fast.I wore the groomsman getup Laurent had picked out for me, hanging back quietly as he and Stella posed sweetly for photos.When the photographer suggested a kissing shot, Laurent played coy. "Hold up. I'm not the groom today. The real one is over there."The photographer followed his finger to me, jaw dropping.Stella waved it off. "It's just a picture. Don't be a stickler, Matteo."I shrugged indifferently and gestured for them to proceed. "Do what makes you happy. Don't mind me."I even adjusted their poses to make them look more affectionate.Stella stared, stunned, but I smiled faintly and strolled off, whistling an upbeat tune. My reaction somehow brought her a gnawing

"Why do you carry your marriage certificate around?" Stella asked suspiciously."Can't help it." Lynn shrugged. "Matteo is too hot. Got to fend off anyone with ulterior motives."The color drained from Stella's face. "No way. This can't be real."Her parents snapped out of their shock and rushed up to confront me. "How dare you cheat on Stella? You think we're pushovers? Explain yourself, or we won't let you off!""Me, cheat on her?" I scoffed. "Stella, why don't you shout for everyone to hear who the real cheater is? Your side piece is standing right next to you. And the most damning evidence is right in your hand."Stella's lips quivered, words failing her. Her parents saw her hesitation and pieced it together.Her mother, Miriam Stafford, tried to placate me. "Matteo, there must be a mix-up. Stella has been a good girl her whole life. She'd never pull something like this.""Never?" I sneered, whipping out my phone. "Then feast your eyes on what she has been up to behind close

"I've got tons of videos on my phone. You really want everyone to see how sluttish you are in bed?" Laurent added, whipping out his phone.Stella panicked. "You bastard! Forgot who put you on the map? Leak those, and I'll bury you alive!"Laurent didn't back down. "Bring it! Worst case, we'll go down together. Dragging the Stafford Group's CEO down with me? Totally worth it.""You psycho!" Stella shrieked, winding up for another slap.Laurent dodged, and soon they were clawing at each other like wildcats. I watched the circus without a shred of emotion, just like the rubberneckers around me.Miriam barreled in, joining her daughter to pummel Laurent. "This is all your fault, you homewrecking gigolo! You ruined my daughter's marriage! If we can't be happy, neither will you!"Miriam was built like an ox, with the strength of a grown man.Laurent quickly lost ground under their assault. His face darkened with malice. The next second, he kicked Stella hard in the abdomen.Her agoni