Chapter 3

3

I kicked the front door wide open.

The two people tangled on the sofa scrambled to pull their clothes together in shock.

Chloe froze when she saw me, a brief flash of guilt in her eyes before it was replaced by annoyance.

"Didn't you just have surgery? Why are you out of the hospital?"

Garrett draped his arm over Chloe's bare shoulders, giving me a smug, victorious look.

"Mr. Mercer, your timing is terrible," he drawled.

"Though, seeing how quickly you discharged yourself, your broken arm must have been an exaggeration to get sympathy."

I grabbed the heavy crystal ashtray off the side table and hurled it straight at Garrett's head.

Chloe instinctively pulled Garrett into her chest, taking the blow across her own shoulder blade with a dull thud.

"Caleb Mercer! Are you crazy?" she screamed.

"I told you I'd still marry you! Why do you keep attacking Garrett?"

Years ago, during an attempted robbery, Chloe had shielded me with her own body and taken a knife slash for me.

Now, she was using that same body to shield a parasitic thug who didn't need any protection.

I looked at the faint scar on her shoulder, and the last shred of my past memories turned to dust.

All those years of devotion had been a complete waste.

"Garrett, you've protected me so many times," Chloe cooed softly, stroking his hair. "I finally got to protect you once."

Their sickening display made me want to vomit.

"Get the hell out of my house," I said through clenched teeth.

Garrett laughed out loud. He reached into his jacket on the floor and pulled out a deed.

"This mansion belongs to me now," he smirked. "If anyone's getting out, it's you!"

He helped Chloe button her blouse, then whistled for the bodyguards outside.

He ordered them to throw every single possession belonging to me and my parents out onto the curb.

I glared at Chloe.

Chloe frowned defensively.

"You kept throwing tantrums and making Garrett feel terrible," she said dismissively. "I signed the house over to him as compensation."

"Your family owns plenty of properties. Don't be so stingy over one house."

My voice was quiet, stripped of all emotion.

"Have you forgotten why I gave you this house in the first place?"

This villa held all the happiest memories of my childhood.

When I proposed to her, I transferred the title to her name, wanting to share my most cherished sanctuary with the woman I loved.

Chloe's expression shifted, as if she finally remembered the promises we made back then.

She opened her mouth to explain, but Garrett interrupted with another round of fake humility.

"Is this place really that special to you, Mr. Mercer?" he sighed. "I'm so sorry, I had no idea. I can give it back if you beg me."

"Keep it," I said coldly.

The place I once considered home was now tainted by their filth.

I didn't want a single brick of it anymore.

I turned around and walked toward the gate.

Chloe hurried after me.

"Wait! On the wedding day, Garrett and I are going to hold a ceremony first."

"When he saved my life, I promised I would marry him one day, and I never break a promise."

"Don't worry, it's just for show. I'll still officially marry you right after."

"Whatever," I answered casually.

It didn't matter anyway. There was no way in hell I was marrying her.

Chloe frowned, unsettled by my total lack of anger.

"Is that all you have to say?"

I looked back at her and gave her a polite, seamless smile.

"I wish you two a long life together and lots of babies."

An uneasy look flashed across Chloe's face.

"Just... make sure you don't cause a scene at the venue."

Garrett swaggered up beside her, grinning like a dog with a bone.

"I never thought you'd be this generous, Mr. Mercer. Giving me your house, your bride, and your ceremony."

"In return, I promise to make our wedding three days from now unforgettable."

I smiled at him.

"Good. I've prepared a special surprise for the ceremony too. I'm sure you'll love it."

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