Chapter 3

Ruby's POV

After hanging up, thinking about Catherine's disdain for me, as if I were something filthy, I couldn't help but laugh bitterly.

No one knew that in the past, I deliberately ruined my own reputation to the point where no one dared marry me, just so my biased father couldn't use me for a marriage alliance, preventing me from ending up depressed and dead like my mother.

But even though I'd changed boyfriends one after another, Jace was my first and, so far, my only man.

Jace clearly knew that when we had sex during that kidnapping, I was still a virgin. He also knew that the rumors circulating in our circle about me being filmed in porn videos. He was one of the people in those videos too.

But in three years, he never once explained it to anyone.

I'd never thought much about it before. After all, those weren't exactly glorious matters. It was normal for him to keep quiet about them.

Only now do I understand. He didn't explain to others because the more people despised me, the better I served his purpose of provoking his family.

I was just a pawn he'd chosen.

I took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the tumultuous emotions in my heart, and went straight to check myself out of the hospital and went home.

The first thing I did when I got home was throw things away.

I took out everything Jace had given me over the years. Necklaces, bracelets, rings, handbags, and so on.

I threw away what should be thrown, donated what should be donated.

Just like throwing away my three years of foolishness and self-deluded love.

Afterward, Catherine sent a butler to deliver the divorce agreement. I looked it over briefly, and after confirming there were no issues, signed without any hesitation.

"Miss Ruby, the Monroe family instructed me to tell you to wait a bit longer. Within half a month at most, the divorce certificate will be processed."

"Got it."

A few days after signing the agreement, Jace came home.

The burns on his back hadn't fully healed yet and his movements were somewhat slow, but he still wore a crisp suit, his features handsome.

"Why are you sitting here?" he asked, his tone habitually gentle. "The servants said you've barely eaten these past few days."

I looked up at him.

In the past, every time I saw this face, my heart would race and my face would flush.

But now, looking at him again, I only felt strangeness and coldness.

Jace didn't seem to notice the change in my gaze. Perhaps he'd never truly cared about what was different about me.

He sat down beside me, naturally taking my hand.

"Are you in a bad mood because I wasn't here with you?" He spoke in a soft, low voice, still with that gentle demeanor. "Today's your birthday. I had them prepare a banquet at the most luxurious hotel downtown. There's still time. Let me take you to pick out a dress first, okay?"

In the past, hearing him remember my birthday and specially prepare a banquet, I would probably be delighted, moved by his thoughtfulness and care.

But now, my heart was just a wasteland.

But I didn't want any complications with the divorce, so I didn't expose his hypocrisy.

"Okay."

After getting ready briefly, I left with Jace.

He drove me to a high-end dress boutique.

As soon as we entered, Jace's phone rang.

"You pick first. I'll take this call," he said, walking to the side.

I didn't pay attention and went upstairs to choose a dress.

I spotted a water-blue gown, simple and elegant, and said to the sales assistant, "This one. Wrap it up for me."

"I want this dress."

A soft female voice suddenly came from behind me.

I turned around and saw the woman speaking. My blood instantly ran cold.

Serena.

That face leaning on Jace's shoulder in the photo was now standing right in front of me, alive and in person.

Her long hair fell loose, her makeup clean and delicate, smiling as she stared at the water-blue dress in my hands.

But hadn't she been driven away by the Monroe family? Had Jace brought her back?