Chapter 1

Everyone in New York knew that Keith Gilbert, the eldest son of the Gilbert family, had a fiancée with no self-respect.

That fiancée was me.

He kept one kept woman after another, and I never asked a single question.

Then he fell for the family tutor, Brenda Pruitt, and threw himself into a very public pursuit.

Brenda had a hard edge. She turned him down to his face.

"So you've got a little money. Why should I have to be with you?"

"I hate women who cling to men. I've got two hands and two feet, I can make my own money."

But that was exactly Keith's weakness.

When a man harassed her, he broke both the man's hands.

When she mentioned in passing that she wanted the congee from the South Side, he drove halfway across the city in the middle of the night to get it.

When she lost her temper and smashed things, he picked them up with a smile and said she'd done well, as long as it made her feel better.

For a whole year he cradled her in his palm, coaxing and doting, and in the end he won her.

I thought I'd long since gotten used to it. I thought my heart had stopped hurting a long time ago.

Until Brenda's birthday, when she pointed at the jade pendant around my neck in front of everyone.

It was the only thing my mother left me.

"I don't want any birthday present. I only want that jade pendant."

"And the clothes Miss Dickerson is wearing. I like those too."

Keith looked at me, his voice flat.

"Take off your clothes, and give her the pendant."

In that moment, it hit me.

This engagement had been mine to hold onto, foolishly, all along, and mine alone.

I thought, it was time I let go.

1

Keith's thin lips parted.

"Why aren't you undressing yet?"

Over the years, the humiliations he'd handed me were too many to count.

I thought I'd gone numb long ago, but the sting still cut through my chest.

With trembling fingers I took off my coat and my blouse.

Only a thin slip was left, bared to everyone's eyes.

My fingers slid to the zipper of my dress.

Keith suddenly barked out,

"Everyone, out!"

The guests, used to scenes like this, drifted out into the courtyard.

Only the three of us were left in the empty hall.

Brenda stood at Keith's side, wrapped in the coat I'd just taken off.

She pointed at my neck.

"There's still the pendant…"

I gripped the silk cord of the pendant, my knuckles stiff.

It was the only thing my mother had left me.

Keith swirled the glass in his hand.

"What, can't bear to part with that worthless piece of jade?"

I gave a bitter little laugh, untied the knot, and handed the pendant to Brenda.

Brenda hooked the pendant on her fingertip and spun it a few times, then her hand gave a sudden jerk.

The pendant hit the floor and broke in two.

My face changed.

"What are you doing!"

Tears welled up in Brenda's eyes at once.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I've been copying scriptures to pray for Keith's sister lately, my eyes aren't so good, I just couldn't see clearly…"

Keith pulled her into his arms and looked at me coldly.

"Brenda's timid. What are you shouting for? It's just a worthless piece of jade."

Brenda leaned against his chest and sniffled.

"Give her a coat, at least. It's so embarrassing for her, bare like that."

Keith lifted his chin at a servant.

"Bring Miss Dickerson a blanket."

Then he tossed something at my feet.

I looked down. It was a watch.

Keith raised an eyebrow.

"A watch suits a whore just fine."

"For your pendant."

Brenda tugged at his sleeve, her tone earnest.

"Keith, don't talk like that. Miss Dickerson comes from a good family, after all…"

"Honestly, her background is far nobler than mine."

Keith gave a cold laugh.

"Brenda, you saved my sister's life. You're the benefactor of the whole Gilbert family. What does she have to compare with you?"

He turned his head toward me.

"Aren't you going to get out?"

I pulled the blanket tight, swallowed the sourness clogging my throat, and turned back to my room.

The room I lived in was really a maid's room.

A bed board, a wardrobe, and nothing else.

After Keith so publicly won Brenda over, she said she wanted the room that used to be mine.

Keith didn't say a word before driving me out here.

I changed into my nightgown and lay down under the covers, cold all over.

Three years ago, a fire left Keith's sister in a vegetative state.

Keith laid all the blame on me.

From that day on, he became a different person.

He wouldn't break off the engagement, and he wouldn't marry.

He just stayed by my side, tormenting me one day at a time.

"You're still living just fine, but my sister will lie in that hospital bed forever!"

I closed my eyes, and the tears slid down from the corners into the pillow.

Late that night, my phone suddenly buzzed like mad.

I jolted awake. Keith's name flashed on the screen.

I answered. His voice was hoarse.

"Come up."

I went upstairs and knocked on the bedroom door.

Warm yellow light leaked through the crack, along with Brenda's soft laughter.

Keith opened the door, faint red marks on his neck.

He lit a cigarette without a thought.

"Go to the convenience store and buy me some condoms."