Chapter 3

Back then, the Miller family’s company had just started, and Ivy had pulled every string to attend a single business gathering.

At the party, among all the heiresses, Ivy seemed completely out of place.

She was even being picked on by Tiffany Hayes, the eldest daughter of the Hayes family. If I hadn’t stepped in to help, she would have been kicked out of the party on the spot.

Later, I found out she was Asher’s first love.

Every time Ivy faced trouble, Asher would defend her without a second thought, even secretly sending her many things behind my back.

We had countless arguments because of this. Asher kept brainwashing me: “Ivy and I are long over. I just feel sorry for her.”

At first, I even wondered if I was being petty, unfairly accusing Asher of ill intentions.

It wasn’t until the night before my wedding, when Ivy was betrothed to Adrian Vance – the same man Asher tried to save her from. Asher ran off to crash *her* wedding.

He offered me no explanation, no remorse, and spent the entire night entwined with Ivy in a hotel.

That’s when I finally realized how important Ivy was to him.

I had silently condoned his 'kindness,' and he repaid me by cheating?

Today was my birthday, usually one of the most important days of my year, but this year, I couldn’t muster any enthusiasm.

Every previous birthday, Asher had spent with me.

My parents had offered to throw a birthday party for me, but I flat-out refused.

This year, I would celebrate my birthday alone.

I drove aimlessly, and without realizing it, I arrived at my favorite restaurant.

Oddly, there was no one inside. Then I noticed a stand placed next to the restaurant entrance.

**[THIS ESTABLISHMENT HAS BEEN BOOKED TONIGHT BY MR. ASHER THOMPSON. CONGRATULATIONS TO MR. ASHER THOMPSON AND MISS IVY MILLER ON THEIR WEDDING!]**

**[THIS ESTABLISHMENT WILL NOT ACCEPT OUTSIDE GUESTS AFTER 10 PM TONIGHT.]**

Exaggerated wedding photos of Asher and Ivy were plastered all over it.

No wonder the place was empty. Asher was behind this.

I sneered, about to turn and leave, when I bumped right into Ivy and Asher, who had just stepped out of their car.

“Chloe? What a coincidence.”

I rolled my eyes at her. How were these two so persistently annoying?

Asher, with his arm wrapped around Ivy’s waist, seemed to understand something when he saw me, lifting his head arrogantly.

“Oh dear! I’m so sorry, Chloe. I completely forgot this was your favorite restaurant. Asher, darling, insisted our first post-wedding dinner should be special.”

“Sorry, I don’t frequent establishments that cater to trash.”

I shot back immediately. This fake b*tch, playing innocent.

Asher’s expression was priceless. He glared at me and retaliated. “Looks like someone’s got sour grapes, Chloe Sullivan. No need to stoop to her level, right, honey? Are you hungry, Ivy?”

With that, they grandly walked past me and entered the restaurant.

As soon as they left, Adrian’s car pulled up. Mr. Jenkins, the butler, stepped out.

“Miss Sullivan, happy birthday. This is a birthday gift from Adrian.”