Chapter 2

I froze in place, a chill shooting up from my feet straight to my brain.

David didn't even glance at me—he turned to look at Emily, who was crying in his arms.

He raised three fingers, his tone as solemn as if he were taking an oath in church, "Emily, did you see that? I told you Bella is just a plaything who comes whenever I call. Now I swear, I will never, ever get back together with Bella. Even if she stripped naked right now and tried to seduce me, I would only respond to you, Emily! Otherwise, may my legs break, may I have no descendants, may I die a terrible death!"

Emily sniffled, tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes, but she couldn't help curving her lips into a smile as she said coyly, "Really? You're not lying to me?"

"Of course not. To make you happy, forget just tricking her into coming here—I could throw her out right now if you wanted," David gently tapped her nose, "Happy now, wife?"

So that phone call was just a little spice they used to flirt during their lovers' quarrel.

I felt sick to my stomach, nausea churning inside me.

"David, you're disgusting," I forced a bitter smile and turned to leave.

"Stop right there!" Emily suddenly jumped out of David's arms and walked up to me in a few quick steps.

She looked me up and down, taking in my miserable appearance, her eyes full of satisfaction, "Ms. Brown, since you're here, you might as well take your stuff with you."

She clapped her hands, and two servants carried out two large boxes—the boxes tipped over, spilling their contents all over the floor.

Condoms. Everywhere.

Different brands, different sizes, and even some unopened sex toys.

The jeering around me grew louder—someone whistled.

Emily covered her mouth and laughed, pretending to sound innocent, "Bella, these are all things you bought before to please David, right? I'm so sorry, but David and I are getting married. He's a decent man now, and he's only going to live a decent life with me from now on. We have no use for these dirty things. Take them with you—if you sell them later, at least you'll save some money on inventory."

The humiliation hit me like a slap across the face—I bit my lip hard until I tasted blood.

"Oh, by the way," Emily said, as if she'd just remembered something, affectionately grabbing my wet sleeve, "David and I are getting married next month. I don't have many real friends, so why don't you be my bridesmaid? I'd love for everyone to see how graciously an ex-girlfriend can bless us."

Before I could respond, David spoke coldly, "Emily, stop fooling around. Someone of her status isn't worthy of being your bridesmaid. Don't dirty your wedding."

Emily shook his arm playfully, "That's exactly why—her lowliness will make our nobility stand out even more."

The two of them flirted shamelessly as if I weren't there, while everyone around stared at me like I was a circus clown.

I don't know how I walked out of that villa—I carried those two boxes with me, and whatever last shred of feeling I had left snapped clean away.

I thought that was rock bottom.

But I underestimated Emily's malice, and I overestimated whatever David and I once had.