Chapter 2

It took three days of begging on my knees for my father to relent, setting a three-year pact.

If, within three years, I could make Brandon Hayes “a changed man,” he wouldn’t interfere anymore.

But Mr. Harrington required me to hide my true identity while dating Brandon Hayes.

I gave up the opportunity to study with a global top-tier research team, betting everything on this life-altering game.

When Brandon Hayes proposed to 'Aubrey,' the orphan, I thought I had won.

Little did I know, my experience was more bizarre than a fairytale. I was just Cinderella’s cannon fodder stand-in.

My phone vibrated. It was Dad calling.

I hesitated, then answered. “Dad, I lost.”

His steady voice came through. “Aubrey, why don’t you consider Julian Thorne?”

I froze. I was a tech geek, not skilled in business operations, and an only child.

Dad had always wanted a capable and reputable son-in-law to take over the Harrington family empire.

Julian Thorne, whose leg was injured in a car accident at twenty, and whose family went bankrupt, had, over ten years, single-handedly led the Thorne family back from the brink to its former glory, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Harringtons.

He was the ideal son-in-law in Dad’s eyes.

“I agree to the arranged marriage with Julian Thorne, but after the wedding, I want to join a top-secret research institute.”

I never wanted to experience any more of this bullshit love. I just wanted to have a baby to inherit Harrington Corp.

With a capable team managing the Harrington Group, I could focus entirely on my research.

That afternoon, at the Harrington subsidiary, I signed the documents to terminate the technology license with Hayes Enterprises.

These were all Harrington Corp projects Brandon’s company had won because I, unbeknownst to him, ghostwrote their proposals as a favor to his business department.

In two years, these projects had boosted Hayes Enterprises’ wealth from the third tier in Brighton to the very top.

I had meticulously planned a future where Brandon would stand beside me, yet he trampled my true feelings into the mud.

Just then, Brandon called, asking why I hadn’t gone to the bridal shop.

He didn’t give me time to react, ordering me to be there in twenty minutes.

I wanted to get back the smart ring I had made with my own hands and end things definitively.

I rushed to the bridal shop. I immediately saw Serena King with her arm around Brandon’s shoulder, chatting intimately.

I thought of leaving and coming back another day, but a sales assistant spotted me and called out, “Welcome!”

Brandon heard it and turned to look at me, his voice tinged with impatience. “How could you forget something as important as trying on wedding dresses?”

He knew how important a wedding dress was to a woman, yet he brought Serena along at the same time?

Was he trying to flaunt his multiple relationships?

Never mind.

A wave of heat rushed to my eyes. I turned to leave, but Brandon grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards a display.

He gestured for me to look at the dresses, unaware that his subtle wave to Serena, signaling her to go to another section, did not escape my notice.

“Aubrey, I was too harsh just now. I’m sorry.”

Brandon lowered his head, whispering in my ear and kissing my earlobe ambiguously.

“Which one do you like? Don’t worry, money’s no object.”

“But don’t pick anything too revealing. I don’t want my darling seen by others.”

I looked at Brandon, whose eyes held an unsettling depth of affection, and just thought, his acting really is good.

Before we dated, he was a wild playboy, racing cars, chasing women, drinking, and getting into trouble.

After we started dating, he transformed into the perfect doting husband, even helping me care for my intellectually disabled sister.

He taught her games, patiently repeating instructions even if she didn’t understand the first time.

The three of us explored every scenic spot around Brighton, creating countless warm memories and photos.

Any friend who wanted to invite him out first had to donate to the Brighton Kindergarten, the place where we first met.

Behind his back, I don't know how many people ridiculed Brandon, calling him ‘Charity Casanova.’

Later, to marry me, he pleaded on his knees for a day and a night for his mother’s consent, his knees raw from the cold…

That’s why I had never doubted his sincerity before.

My initial motivation for developing the True Love Ring was to understand Brandon better, to know the true joys and sorrows beneath his wild, uninhibited exterior.

I had originally planned to license the “True Heart” project’s technology to Brandon after the wedding, to help him start anew and break free from his mother’s control…

“Brandon, is this your… fiancée?”

As Serena walked over, Brandon’s body stiffened for a second, and he pulled his hand away from mine.

That unconscious action pierced my heart.

“Hello, I’m Serena King. Brandon’s friend.”

Serena’s eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at Brandon. “I’m also getting married soon. What a coincidence to run into you two today.”

“Beyond coincidence, it’s premeditated.”

I blinked innocently. “Just kidding! You’re Brandon’s friend? So you’re also over thirty, like him?”

Serena’s smile froze. “I’m younger than him. Just turned thirty.”

I smiled innocently. “Oh, so you’re still three years older than me. Nice to meet you, Ms. Serena. I’m Aubrey.”

Playing games? I can too.