When I returned home from abroad the day before my engagement party, I unintentionally discovered that my boyfriend of five years had been seeing a woman who resembled me by nearly seventy percent.
During all the days and nights I was abroad, the two of them had been secretly together.
When I called him, he only let out a faint sigh. “While you were gone, she kept me company. One shouldn’t be too heartless.”
“The company needs a secretary anyway. Why not let her stay for the time being? Otherwise, people might say you were being small-minded.”
Five years of deep affection had, in the end, been lost to the constant presence of his kept woman.
As I looked at the man who once vowed with his life to love me forever, I still couldn’t bring myself to say the words break up.
I wanted to see with my own eyes, between a medical prodigy returning from abroad and a mistress who had to hide in the dark, which one he would choose?
——
In the middle of the engagement banquet, the wedding ring suddenly disappeared.
The host, sweating nervously, forced himself to fill the silence with clumsy small talk.
Coming closer, Gideon Fontaine caught my hand and murmured beside my ear, “It’s only a ten-carat ring. Addison got curious, tried it on, and now it’s stuck. Tomorrow, I’ll make one myself for you, bigger and more beautiful than this.”
My heart suddenly dropped. Just last night, he had called me on video chat, promising sincerely, “I’ve spent a lot preparing a surprise for you. Tomorrow, you just need to be the happiest bride in the world.”
Trembling slightly, my fists clenched as I looked at him stubbornly. “Gideon, is this the surprise you said you prepared for me? Without a ring, how can there even be an engagement…?”
Before I could finish, Gideon’s assistant rushed in, panic written all over his face.
“President Gideon, Secretary Addison just handed in her resignation. She said she’s returning to her hometown.”
Suddenly, Gideon pushed me aside and was about to run out.
I grabbed his sleeve. “Gideon, if you walk out today, everything between us ends here.”
He turned his head for a brief moment, then yanked his arm free and left without another look.
The guests exchanged glances, whispering quietly to one another.
Gideon’s parents looked restless, pacing back and forth. His mother came over and held me, trying to comfort me.
“You’ll always be this family’s only daughter-in-law. I’ll make sure Gideon gives you an answer.”
But my heart was already growing numb. Fighting back tears, I forced a smile.
“I’ll give back the engagement gifts. Let’s just treat today’s banquet as my first day of freedom.”
My older brother’s expression turned dark as he prepared to confront Gideon.
“For him to leave my sister during her engagement banquet for another woman, that’s complete disrespect toward the Quinton family.”
Suppressing the pain in my heart, I quickly stopped my brother and tried to look calm. “Brother, let it go. I don’t want everyone here watching us make a scene.”
He let out a heavy sigh, and my heart sank with it.
Then Gideon’s assistant came over, looking uneasy.
“Miss Ophelia, please don’t be upset with President Gideon. You were gone for three years. If Secretary Addison hadn’t been there for him, he might not have made it through.”
“She disappeared so suddenly, without a word. President Gideon only worried she might hurt herself.”
To them, Addison’s three years of standing by Gideon proved enough to excuse everything, and my coming back was what threw things off.
But if she really wanted nothing back, then why would she quit on the very day we got engaged?
I didn’t see the point in arguing. I just said a few things to my brother and headed home.
That afternoon, Gideon sent a flood of gifts, luxury cars, villas, designer bags, and even a rare old medical manuscript I’d been looking for.
I took one look at them and told the servants to throw everything out.
Gideon knew that walking away in front of so many people would destroy my reputation, but he still never thought about me.
Things always had to go the way Gideon wanted, but I was the one who got hurt.
Because our families had arranged the marriage, he always assumed I would give in to him.
Normally, with my temper, I would have stopped myself from making things worse for him, but he went as far as slipping the wedding ring onto another woman’s finger.
It was in that instant that I realized that once something was stained, it could never be wanted again.
Remembering the dress I had ordered before returning home, which should have been finished by now, I went by myself to the private studio.
The moment I stepped through the door, there was Gideon, holding my custom-made gown against Addison Cooper to see how it looked on her.
My eyes trembled uncontrollably.
That gown, designed by Gideon himself, had been made for me to wear at Grandpa Enzo Fontaine’s birthday banquet.
Back then, his smile seemed like a flower.
“When Grandpa sees me marrying you, he’ll be overjoyed. The gown I designed myself, only the one I love most deserves to wear it.”
But that same gown was now being given to Addison. In the courtyard, I stood there, unsure whether I should go inside.
When a sound reached him, Gideon turned his head and came out quickly.
“Ophelia, I didn’t mean to leave you there alone. I just knew you’ve seen the world, and you could handle such a small scene on your own…”
No words came from me; instead, I turned to Addison.
“I’m glad Miss Addison is all right.”
Surprise crossed Gideon’s face as he spoke seriously, “You grew up without parents, and you’ve always been strong. But Addison isn’t like you. If I hadn’t gone after her, she would have lost herself.”
“I love you so much I’d give my life for you. You’ll forgive me, won’t you?”
“I can’t.”
Growing up without parents had now become yet another reason I was expected to give in to them.
My eyes dropped to the gown that Addison was holding. “The gown you designed with your own hands, shouldn’t it be worn by the one you love most? What’s left for you to love me with?”
Avoiding my eyes, Gideon quickly explained, “Ophelia, you’re the one I, Gideon Fontaine, am going to marry. Addison has been with me for three years; I just wanted to make it up to her a little.”
I no longer wanted to look at his hypocritical face. Turning toward the studio manager, I said, “The gown’s been worn by someone else. I don’t want it anymore. The deposit and penalty fee, eighty thousand in total, send them all to the Quinton family.”
After I finished speaking, I turned and walked away. To keep myself steady, I pressed my nails deep into my flesh.
Behind me came a tearful voice. “Miss Ophelia, are you angry because of me and President Gideon?”
“It’s my fault. I was worried that Miss Ophelia would hear gossip after returning, so I thought about resigning and leaving first.”
“I never expected President Gideon to stop the engagement ceremony and chase after me. If Miss Ophelia is upset, please scold me instead, don’t make things hard for President Gideon.”
With such sincerity in her words, Addison spoke in a way that moved Gideon, who drew her into his arms to comfort her.
“My decisions have nothing to do with you. Why are you apologizing to her?”
After offering her a few soft words of comfort, he lifted his eyes to me, disappointment clouding them.
“Ophelia, since childhood, you’ve always been independent and never cared about what others say. Don’t you see that because of us, Addison has already suffered enough gossip? How can you still hold her responsible for my leaving?”
Unable to hold it in any longer, I turned toward the two of them as they clung to each other.
“Gideon, from the moment I stepped into this courtyard, have I said even one harsh word about Addison?”
“I may have grown up without parents, but does that give you the right to throw all your filth onto me?”
A slight tremor ran through my voice, and Gideon panicked at once.
Keeping my expression cold, I suddenly raised my voice.
“Does President Gideon believe that I, Ophelia, can’t marry without you? Or does President Gideon think the Quinton family has sunk so low that our daughter must beg for approval?”
For the first time, Gideon saw me truly angry, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to do.
Watching my expression, he spoke cautiously. “Ophelia, it was wrong of me to leave the engagement banquet, but I only did it because I care about you too much and lost control.”
“You’re only upset that I gave the wedding ring to Addison. Tonight, I’ll go to the black market and buy Queen Elizabeth’s wedding ring for you.”
“Queen Elizabeth’s wedding ring?” A bitter laugh escaped me. “Gideon, it seems you have no idea what I’m actually angry about.”
Silent, Gideon kept his eyes fixed on me. After a long pause, he finally spoke. “I can’t give Addison a title. All she wanted was a ring, such a simple request. Can’t I at least grant her that?”
“You and I are the ones who will spend our lives together. For our sake, can’t you just let this go?”
My eyes moved from the gown draped on Addison’s body to the hands Gideon used to shield her so carefully.
Quietly, I replied, “Fine. I’ll let go. I’ll never concern myself with you again.”
The pallor on my face went unnoticed by Gideon. He believed, as always, that acting pitiful would make me give in to him.
“As expected of my dearest Ophelia, your understanding truly is remarkable.”
Pain tightened my chest as I turned and left in haste.
When I reached home, Addison was directing people to move things into the villa next door.
Seeing me, she didn’t even bother to fake a smile.
“The place I was staying wasn’t safe, so President Gideon gave me this villa.”
“Miss Ophelia isn’t married to President Gideon yet. His premarital assets aren’t under your control, are they?”
Too tired to argue, I turned to go inside, but my eyes caught on the blood-red pendant around her neck.
Catching my look, Addison smugly brushed her hair back, letting the pendant show completely.
“I haven’t been sleeping well lately, so President Gideon gave me this pendant.”
“I heard it’s the one Miss Ophelia was wearing during her car accident. It even has your mother’s blood on it. I must say, things from the dead really do keep away evil. I’ve been sleeping perfectly ever since…”
My hand came down across Addison’s face, stopping her words cold.
As she stood frozen in shock, I reached for the pendant, but Addison reacted first; she threw it to the ground.
Pieces of the shattered pendant scattered across the floor, and my heart broke right along with them.
Kneeling down, I trembled as I gathered the shattered pieces of sapphire, not realizing my fingers were bleeding.
“Ophelia!” Gideon rushed forward, pain flashing across his face as he took my injured fingers into his mouth and shouted for someone to call the family doctor.
Addison’s reddened eyes as she began to cry softly.
“Miss Ophelia will never forgive me now. Even if I sold myself, it wouldn’t be enough to repay her pendant.”
Freezing for a moment, Gideon quickly let go of my hand and drew Addison into his arms to comfort her.
“Stop blaming yourself for everything.”
Turning his eyes toward me. “Ophelia, it’s just a pendant. If you want, I’ll find you an even bigger and better one. Stop taking it out on Addison.”
At his words, my eyes slowly rose to meet him.
“Gideon, you know exactly what that pendant means to me. How could you…”
“Miss Ophelia, would you believe that I never wanted to steal President Gideon from you if I died?”
Addison screamed loudly, “Since Miss Ophelia insists on forcing me, I’ll die right here for you to see!”
Gideon was stunned. “Ophelia, are you even human? Are you really going to drive a living person to death over something that belonged to the dead?”
Before he could finish speaking, my hand came up, and I slapped him twice, hard.
“Gideon, if you dare insult my mother again, your good days are truly over.”
Time went by quickly, and Enzo’s birthday banquet soon arrived.
Early that morning, Gideon came rushing to my house. I had wanted to send him away, but remembering the business ties between our families, I could only agree to attend the banquet with him.
When I opened the passenger door, as always, Addison was already sitting there, eating cookies.
Seeing the safety charm I had once knelt nine hundred and ninety-nine steps to pray for, now crushed beneath her feet, pain stabbed through my heart.
When I suddenly looked up at Gideon, guilt briefly crossed his face.
“Addison has never attended such an event before. I wanted to bring her along to broaden her horizons. In the future, when you’re busy with work and can’t attend, she can go in your place as my companion.”
“It’s your family’s banquet. Whoever you wish to invite is your choice.” I swallowed the bitterness in my throat.
Relief spread across his face. “I knew Ophelia would always be the most understanding. If Granspa asks, just say she’s here accompanying you, all right?”
I took a deep breath. “Gideon, there’s nothing between us anymore. I have no obligation to lie to your grandfather for you.”
Gideon’s brows drew together, displeased. “Ophelia, even if you’re angry, you should know your limits.”
“I’m truly exhausted.” Meeting Gideon’s unhappy eyes, I felt numb, unable to feel any movement inside my heart.
“From the moment you walked out of our engagement banquet, there was nothing left between us.”
After speaking, I turned toward Addison, the delight in her eyes barely hidden. “Congratulations, Miss Addison Cooper. From now on, Gideon is yours.”
“Ophelia!” Gideon’s face changed completely. “Are you serious?”
“Gideon!” My voice suddenly rose. “You’re the one who betrayed me first!”
While we argued, a black Maybach stopped beside me. “Miss Ophelia, get in the car.”
The cold voice carried authority. Turning around, I got in without hesitation.
“Senior, I just broke up with President Gideon and already accepted my proposal. Does that mean you’ve been secretly in love with me all along?”
Helpless, I looked at Archer Sinclair , who had leaned close.
He was the son of my mother’s closest friend. He had stubbornly entered the same university as me, but after I confirmed my relationship with Gideon, he changed his major.
I had heard he was now the chosen heir of the Sinclair family, and suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.
At first, I saw him only as a convenient tool to make a clean break with Gideon. But now, perhaps joining forces with him might not be such a bad idea.
The moment Archer and I entered, the attention of the entire banquet turned toward us.
After all, I had just caused a scene with Gideon, and now I was standing beside the rising star, Archer.
Everyone in this circle knew each other, and quiet whispers of speculation spread quickly.
But Addison just couldn’t stay quiet.
Coming up beside me, she suddenly dropped the wine glass in her hand, collapsing hard onto the floor.
“Miss Ophelia!”
Addison cried out. “I know Miss Ophelia misunderstood my relationship with President Gideon. Please, I beg you to let me go. I promise I’ll never appear before President Gideon again.”
Her scream pulled countless curious eyes.
People around began whispering and pointing.
“They say Addison is just a substitute for Ophelia, but look at her, she’s dressed far better than Ophelia.”
“Isn’t that the engagement ring President Gideon prepared a few days ago for Ophelia? Poor Ophelia, she came all the way back for her engagement, and the ring ended up with someone else.”
Whispers around the room reached Enzo’s ears, and his face turned pale with anger.
Gideon quickly pulled Addison forward.
“Grandpa, she’s only a secretary in my company. There’s absolutely nothing improper between us…”
“Gideon, remember what you promised me when you first joined the company.”
Enzo’s eyes moved toward me, and I immediately stepped up to support him.
“Grandpa Enzo, please take care of your health. Nothing else matters.”
“Ophelia,” he said, his voice heavy with sadness, “back then, your parents had that car accident because they went to pick up your uncle and aunt for me. It was our family that caused you and your brother to be left alone. How could I stand by and let Gideon hurt you again?”
His voice sounded weary, yet I could still hear the helplessness in it.
Before I could say anything, Addison broke down in tears. “I know I’m just a poor college student from the mountains, unworthy of the powerful President Gideon, but I truly love him. Is it wrong to love someone?”
Crying out hysterically, she screamed, “I said I didn’t want a title! I only wanted to stay in the Fontaine Corporation!”
“Miss Ophelia came back, and it wasn’t enough that she took away the man I love; now she even wants to destroy the job I worked so hard for?”
The room went completely silent.
Enzo’s hand shook as he pointed at Gideon, his voice trembling.
“You… You brought this worthless thing here. Are you trying to make me die of anger?”
Uncle Vale Fontaine, his anger barely contained, rushed forward and slapped Gideon hard across the face.
“You’d better think carefully. Either apologize to Ophelia, or take this mistress and leave the Fontaine family.”
After being hit in front of everyone, Gideon couldn’t keep his composure anymore.
He directed all his anger toward me. “Ophelia, are you happy now?”
“You’ve used your parents’ favor to keep the Fontaine family tied down for so many years. Does that make you proud?”
“I already told you I would marry you in the end. Why do you keep pushing? Aren’t you afraid I’ll truly stop wanting you?”
Gideon’s words hit my ears like thunder. So this was what he had really thought all along.
“It must have been painful being with me, right?” I forced a smile.
“I never used my parents’ kindness to demand repayment. You were the one who said you’d take care of me for life. But now, I don’t want you anymore.”
I took out the Fontaine family’s heirloom sapphire bracelet that Enzo had given me.
“Grandpa Enzo, I came here today to end the engagement, and to reclaim the fifty-one percent of the Fontaine family shares that belong to my parents.”
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