Chapter 3

3.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Seeing me destroying the photos, Silas roared and rushed over. His face was a mask of panic and heartbreak.

He even tried to reach into the flames to save the charred remains.

But the fire was already too high.

He couldn't even get close.

"Why? Why would you do this!"

Silas glared at me, his eyes turning bloodshot. His voice was trembling.

He looked devastated, and it didn't look like an act.

But for some reason, I found it hilarious.

He cherished these photos so much.

Yet, he didn't give a damn about the feelings of the living woman standing right in front of him.

It really was a joke.

I reached over, took the last photo from his hand, and tossed it into the bin.

"What's the point of keeping photos when the love is already dead?"

Silas froze. "Are... are you still mad about the other day?"

Before I could answer, he started screaming again.

"What more do you want from me?!"

"I explained everything! I promised we'd go get the license in two days! What else do you want?!"

The angrier he got, the calmer I became.

I gave him a casual smile. "If that's the case, then there's even less reason to keep these old photos, right?"

"After we get married, we can go on a honeymoon and take plenty of new pictures."

My sudden change in attitude seemed to catch him off guard.

Silas blinked, processing my words.

"A honeymoon..."

He nodded quickly as if he'd just remembered something.

"That sounds good. Jade mentioned she wanted to go on a trip, too. We can all go together."

Those words were like a fresh blade cutting into my already scarred heart.

It seemed that no matter what I said, he immediately thought of Jade.

Even for a honeymoon―a trip meant for a husband and wife―he wanted to bring that woman along.

That was Silas Sterling in a nutshell.

I cursed myself for being so stupid.

I knew exactly who he was, yet I had allowed myself a tiny flicker of hope.

Utterly pathetic.

Late that night, Xavier called me.

"I'm at an auction right now. I'm planning to buy our wedding rings. I can't wait to slide one onto my favorite girl's finger."

His voice was less formal than usual, almost playful.

I agreed without thinking.

There was a pause on the other end. Xavier sounded a bit slighted. "Nothing else to say to me?"

I thought about it seriously and sighed. "Let's just wait until you get back."

"Fair enough."

After a beat, Xavier continued. "You know what marriage entails, right? You're sure?"

I knew what he was worried about.

He knew I had loved Silas with every fiber of my being.

He wasn't fully convinced I was over him.

"I understand," I said firmly. "I chose you. I won't look back."

"Good. I'm looking forward to seeing you."

Xavier's mood instantly brightened, and he hung up happily.

After washing up, I noticed an email in my inbox.

It was an invitation to an exclusive International Music Gala.

The physical invitation would be delivered tomorrow.

For the first time in a long time, I felt a surge of genuine excitement.

I had always dreamed of a career in music, but I gave it up to help Silas build his company.

Now that I had this chance, I wasn't going to let it go.