Chapter 2

2

Thinking back on the good times, I realized we had been together for five years.

In those five years, I gave him everything. I made myself small just to keep him happy.

But what did I get in return?

I got a fiancé who married another woman on the day of my father's funeral.

The day Gigi came back to the States, I knew something was wrong.

Hudson stayed out all night and came home with obvious marks on his neck.

When my father confronted him in shock, Hudson threw a tantrum, accusing us of being controlling and paranoid.

When I got home that day, I found my father sitting on the sofa, clutching his head in shame.

Hudson was nowhere to be found.

When he returned the next day, the marks of his betrayal were even more prominent.

That was the first time I ever screamed at him. He didn't care, insisting they were just friends and that my father and I were suffocating him.

He forgot how my father had treated him like a biological son since the day we started dating.

After that incident, my father's health spiraled downward. He died without Hudson ever visiting him in the hospital.

Touching my father's cold hand, I realized how pathetic I was for thinking Hudson would ever come back to his senses.

Right before the funeral, Hudson bought a ticket to Gigi's hometown.

I lost my temper and called him, begging him to come back immediately.

But he was full of excuses.

"Her dad has cancer. It's so sad! I'm just helping him fulfill his final wish. Stop being so dramatic!"

Hearing those ridiculous words, I actually laughed out loud.

His own future father-in-law was dying, and instead of showing up, he wanted to marry another woman.

Her father had cancer, but my father was literally on his deathbed!

All my hope died the moment that call ended.

Maybe we should have never been together from the start.

After the funeral, I began packing up my father's things.

Suddenly, my eyes fell on a vintage ring tucked away in a corner.

It was an heirloom, meant to be passed down to the family's son-in-law. Even when money was tight, my father never considered selling it.

By rights, it should have been on Hudson's finger right now.

I traced the expensive band, feeling dazed.

Just then, Hudson sent me a cheerful voice note.

"I'm going to be really busy for a while. We're heading to Hawaii for wedding photos and dinner with her relatives. Just stay home and wait for me."

I didn't reply. I stared at the ring and locked my phone.

I started laughing.

Thank God. It wasn't too late. I would rather smash this ring into pieces than give it to a cheating scumbag like Hudson.

I was about to rest after finishing some work when a friend sent me an angry message.

【Hudson is absolutely shameless! Look at his social media right now!】

Curious, I clicked on his profile, only to see a blank line.

He had blocked me from seeing his posts.

I told my friend, and she quickly sent me a screenshot.

Gigi was in a white wedding dress, holding Hudson's hand and smiling brilliantly under the sun.

The caption read: 【So happy to be with you.】

I smiled bitterly, unable to find the words to describe the pain.

It felt like a thousand arrows were piercing my heart. In the past, I would have begged him to come home.

But now, I just closed my eyes and removed him from my favorites.

I erased his place in my heart as well.

A week later, Hudson suddenly called.

"What are you doing at home? Get down to the station and pick me up right now!"

I was confused.

"Didn't you take your car? Why do you want me to pick you up at the station?"

Hudson wouldn't explain. He just ordered me to hurry up.

Thinking this was the perfect time to end things officially, I went.

But when I arrived, I was stunned. A large group of elderly people from the countryside were huddled together, talking loudly.

The moment Hudson saw me, he looked like he'd found a lifesaver.

"Finally! These are Gigi's relatives. Find a place for them to stay and take them sightseeing for the next few days."

My lip twitched. I couldn't believe anyone could be this thick-skinned.

Hudson didn't see any problem with his request. When I didn't move, he shoved my shoulder.

"Go on! What are you standing there for?"

Gigi walked over then, looking smug.

"Oh, Alana is here. Sorry to trouble you, but we're going to head home first."

She tried to pull Hudson away, leaving this entire family for me to deal with.

I took a step back.

"Who said I was helping?"

Hudson's face turned red with embarrassment, and he glared at me.

"Are you stupid? I told you to do something, so just do it! Stop talking back, you moron!"

Gigi's father chimed in, looking me up and down with disdain.

"Son-in-law, your driver isn't very well-trained. You need to teach her some manners."

Hudson immediately bowed his head submissively.

"You're right, sir. I'll give her a piece of my mind when we get back."

Gigi's father nodded, satisfied.

"Fine, fine. Have her get out of the car so you can drive us. Tell her to take an Uber. I'm exhausted."

His sheer vulgarity made me frown.

But Hudson acted like he didn't notice. He just gave a flattering smile.

Then he walked up to me and held out his hand impatiently.

"Did you hear him? Give me the keys and get lost! Don't make me start a fight with you here."

I calmly tossed the keys into his hand. He turned and walked away without a second thought.

He still thought I couldn't live without him.

Unfortunately for him, he had no idea I was already gone.