Chapter 3

Marcus’s face flushed from red to white, then to a sickly green.

I decided to throw more gas on the fire. Taking a step forward, I raised my voice so everyone could hear.

"Everyone, I am truly sorry for the clown show you had to witness today."

"But I think there's something you all should know."

"This 'baby boy' my dear fiancé keeps talking about..."

I dragged out my words, watching with satisfaction as the color drained completely from Nora's face.

"...is just a dog."

"Nora wants to treat a dog like her child? Fine. That's her business. I don't give a damn."

"But bringing her funeral attire to my engagement party to curse my relationship? No way in hell."

The moment the truth came out, the chatter in the room doubled in volume.

But I was done listening.

I clapped my hands twice.

Right on cue, two of my family’s private bodyguards stepped into the hall.

I pointed a manicured finger at Nora, who was cowering behind Marcus.

"Go."

"Strip that depressing black rag off her."

Nora shrieked, trembling violently as she tried to hide behind Marcus.

"Marcus! Save me! I’m scared!"

Marcus finally snapped out of his shock. He shielded her fiercely.

"Chloe! Don't you dare!"

He glared at me with a ruthlessness I had never seen in him before.

"If you go this far today... we are done. Permanently!"

"Done?"

I let the word roll around in my mouth, and then I laughed.

"Marcus, get one thing straight. You are the one who is done."

By now, the guests had fully processed the situation.

"Oh my god, a funeral dress for a dog? Is that girl crazy?"

"There are all kinds of freaks in this world. Treating a dog like a kid is one thing, but wearing black to an engagement? She did that on purpose to ruin the day."

An older woman who did business with my family—known for her bluntness—snorted loudly.

"Honestly, sweetie. You call a dog your son, but does the dog even know who its daddy is?"

The roast was brutal and precise.

The crowd fell into a hushed, amused silence.

Nora's face was no longer just pale; she looked like a walking corpse.

But I only had eyes for Marcus.

We had been together for six years.

From college campuses to the corporate world, I thought today would be the beginning of our forever.

But who would have thought he would turn on me at our own engagement party, all for Nora?

What normal man doesn't protect his own fiancée?

Was I too blind in the past, or did he just hide his true colors too well?

Suddenly, I realized I needed to re-evaluate his entire history with Nora.

Before today, he had sworn to me a thousand times that they were just childhood friends.

And they indeed kept their distance in public.

But now, the mask was off.

I took a deep breath, pulled out my phone, and sent a text to my dad.

[Dad, the engagement is canceled.]

My parents had just wrapped up a $500 million deal in Europe. Right now, they should be on their private jet back to the country.

Seeing that I wasn't backing down or apologizing, Marcus felt like he had completely lost face in front of everyone.

His expression turned icy cold.

"Chloe, I'm asking you one last time. Are you going to apologize?"

"If not, this engagement is off!"

He thought he could use the engagement to control me. After all, he knew how deeply I loved him.

Behind him, a flash of pure ecstasy lit up Nora’s eyes.

Too bad for her, I caught it.

I smirked, raising my phone to my ear.

"Fine with me."

I tapped a contact, and the call connected instantly.

"Hey, Mr. Davis."

"Yes, it's Chloe. You don't need to come over for the signing ceremony."

"The engagement is canceled."

Marcus’s eyebrows knitted tightly. A wave of confusion and unease washed over his face.

He stared at me.

"Chloe, what the hell are you doing?"

"Why are you calling a lawyer?"