Chapter 3

Perhaps it was the depth of my disappointment, but my voice was trembling.

Seraphina looked as if she’d heard the funniest joke, a disdainful smirk playing on her lips.

“I didn’t beg you to be good to me. Wasn’t it all your voluntary effort?”

“Besides, it’s not like you didn’t have ulterior motives, right? Wasn’t it because you wanted me to marry into your family and give you an heir?”

I lowered my head and chuckled bitterly, unable to utter a single word of rebuttal.

A moment later, I slowly spoke.

“So, the vows we made when we were eighteen… have you forgotten them all?”

A flicker of guilt crossed Seraphina’s eyes, but it vanished in less than a second.

She arrogantly lifted her chin, irritated.

“Those were childhood vows. Why are you bringing them up now?”

“I know you’re resentful, but you don’t need to get lawyers involved, do you?”

“Dean, you weren’t this petty before, were you? Why have you become so unreasonable now?”

I closed my eyes, not wanting to continue the conversation.

Seraphina scoffed.

“Don’t forget to withdraw the police report. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee I won’t say things to your parents!”

Only after she left did I open my eyes.

But the tears, rebellious, streamed out. I buried my face in my hands, letting out cries of anguish.

That night, I sent Seraphina a message.

“I can withdraw the police report, but our engagement is off. We’re even from now on.”

“Cancel the engagement?”

Seraphina frowned, demanding,

“Dean, what game are you playing now? You love me so much, how could you bear to cancel this engagement?”

“Alright, you don’t have to act in front of me! I’ve already promised you that I’ll let you be my husband, and I’m not going back on my word!”

Just then, her phone rang.

It was the special ringtone she’d set just for Jace. She’d also arranged a special passenger seat for him, a special workstation.

Her favoritism for him was everywhere.

Jace’s whining voice came through the phone.

“Sister, I saw a limited-edition designer couple’s diamond ring. One for each of us! Come pay for it, quick!”

“Wait for me, I’m coming right away.”

Her reply was swift and decisive. It was clear she truly cared for that eighteen-year-old assistant.

I lowered my gaze. The silver ring on my ring finger was still the couple’s ring we had handmade together when we first got together.

So many years had passed, the ring was worn and faded, but I still couldn’t bear to take it off.

Seraphina’s silver ring, though, had long since disappeared.

Chuckling mockingly, I took off the ring on my ring finger and threw it into the trash.

It was half a month later when I was discharged from the hospital. As soon as I was wheeled out, I saw Seraphina, waiting impatiently.

“I’m pregnant.”

My heart seized. Even though I felt I no longer loved her, hearing this news still brought a pang of pain.

After she spoke, she ordered someone to take my wheelchair, then had me moved into a black sedan.

“Jace hasn’t reached the legal age for marriage, so we can’t get our license yet.”

“I’ve already announced to everyone that I’m pregnant with my fiancé’s child. Today, you’re going to marry me. Once the baby is born, we’ll get a divorce.”

The car door shut, and we sped towards the marriage registry.

I sat in the car, clenching my fists, my knuckles white.

“Seraphina, what makes you think I’d be willing to accept this child?”

She replied indifferently,

“Because it’s your parents’ wish. I’ve already called them, and they agree we should get married immediately.”

“Oh, and of course, I told them I was pregnant with *your* child. Don’t spill the beans when you talk to them later.”

“Otherwise, if they find out the golden grandchild they’ve waited so many years for isn’t happening, they might be devastated again!”

I trembled with rage. She watched me, amused.

“You’re getting a child handed to you for free, you should be happy!”

“Besides, marrying me has been your wish for years, hasn’t it? You proposed to me so many times before, and I never agreed to get married.”

If Seraphina had agreed to marry me before, I would have been ecstatic.

But now, I just felt a wave of nausea.

I couldn’t hold back and dry-heaved a few times in the car. Seraphina immediately covered her nose and mouth in disgust, scornfully saying,

“If you’re going to throw up, get out and do it! Don’t you dare stain my car!”

“This car is Jace’s favorite! I promised to give it to him once he gets his driver’s license!”

Those words were like a dagger stabbing into my heart.

Eight years together, and the gifts Seraphina had given me were always random souvenirs.

But for Jace, she was so thoughtful and generous.

In that moment, I decided I would stop deceiving myself. I let go of that eight-year relationship.

Three years ago, I had secretly invested in an international medical team. Now, I took out my phone and sent a message to the team leader:

“Add another hundred million to the investment. Fix my legs.”

The reply came quickly:

“Understood.”