Chapter 2

2

My palms were scraped raw against the gravel.

My son's figure disappeared into the crowd again.

I glared at Quinn and forced myself to stand up.

Since the moment we met today, this man had been living in his own delusional world.

He actually thought I was still pining for him.

Rosalind stepped forward, looping her arm through Quinn's and sighing dramatically.

"Elena, I know it's hard to let go of seven years, but Quinn and I are getting married soon."

Quinn didn't say a word. He just took Rosalind's hand and kissed it gently.

The manager, sensing the mood, started shouting at me again.

"Did you see that? Mr. Archer and Miss Jenkins are soulmates. Stop being so pathetic and desperate."

He reached out to grab me again.

"That's enough," Quinn said. He pulled his phone from his pocket, his eyes like ice.

"The only person I've ever loved is Rosalind. Being with you was just because you reminded me of her. I was giving you a chance."

"But she would never be as materialistic as you."

"I know you're bitter because you walked away from seven years with nothing."

"Just give me a number. I'll pay you off."

His fingers flew across his screen as he spoke.

He looked up suddenly, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"I'm giving you this money out of guilt. Don't think for a second I still want you."

"Take the cash, find some man on your level to marry, and start over."

I took a deep breath and forced a polite smile.

"I don't need it."

I didn't give a damn about his money.

In the last five years, the profits from my own projects were better than his entire company's.

Besides, if the man at home found out I took money from an ex, he'd be incredibly jealous.

"We won't be seeing each other again. I wish you both a happy wedding."

To shut him down completely, I turned my hand over, showing the ring on my finger.

"I'm already married. And I love my husband very much."

Quinn's face transformed instantly. He lunged forward and grabbed my wrist.

"When the hell did you get married?!"

Rosalind let out a sharp, mocking giggle from the side.

"Elena, next time you lie, you should try to hide your tracks better."

"You've been through quite a few 'husbands' these past few years, haven't you?"

Quinn snatched her phone and scrolled through several pages.

His brow relaxed, and a look of realization crossed his face.

"You almost fooled me again. I can't believe you'd use marriage as a pathetic cry for attention."

"I bet today's 'accidental' meeting was part of your plan too."

My heart sank.

Then I saw what was on his screen.

There was a woman who looked vaguely like me, constantly posting photos on social media in luxury clubs with different men.

I understood immediately.

What was worse was that he still had my old, deactivated number saved in his contacts.

"Don't send any money there. I truly don't need it."

I was cold and done with the drama.

But Quinn blocked my path again, his face twisted in a sneer.

"Back then, you looked down on my soda tab ring. You trampled on my heart and broke up with me."

"Now you're standing here acting like you're too good for my money?"

I was speechless for a second.

It had been five years, and he still believed I broke up with him because I was a gold-digger?

We had met at a business mixer years ago.

He pursued me relentlessly, and eventually, we became a couple.

But a few months in, I found boxes under his bed filled with photos.

They were all of one girl.

Her name was Rosalind, the girl who had left him.

Looking at those photos of a woman who looked so much like me, I was devastated.

I tried to break up with him then.

On my way home, I got into a terrible car accident.

When I woke up, I saw Quinn. His eyes were red and swollen from crying.

The nurse told me he hadn't left my side for three days. He hadn't eaten or slept until he fainted.

When he finally woke up, he threw away everything related to Rosalind.

He sat by my bed and swore to me over and over.

"Elena, I admit I loved her, but you aren't a replacement."

"I just want to build a life with you now."

I believed him.

For seven years, I helped him build his empire. We took his company public in five.

I gave him the best years of my life.

But the moment Rosalind showed up again, his resolve crumbled.

He would wait in line for hours to buy her a specific designer bag just because she mentioned it.

He would leave me while I was suffering from a chronic stomach flare-up just to take her to a concert.

Even then, I couldn't bring myself to leave him.

Until that horrific night happened. That was when I finally woke up.

I wasn't the one who trampled on a heart. He was.