Chapter 3

At my words, everyone fell silent.

Everyone in our circles knew about my engagement to Chloe, and she had always, with complete entitlement, accepted all my affections.

Everyone assumed we were already a married couple, and now, suddenly, Blake appeared.

All eyes turned to Blake and Chloe.

Blake was choked up, unable to respond.

"I... I just can't stand what you did. I don't have the money, but if I did, I would have thrown it all at her rescue."

Chloe looked at me, her expression changing.

"You... you found out."

In my previous life, I only found out about Chloe and Blake on our wedding day.

Blake appeared at the wedding with red eyes, and Chloe's eyes were red too.

Out of respect for Mr. and Mrs. Miller, the wedding proceeded as planned.

But on our wedding night, she ran off to find Blake.

She claimed I owed them, that it was because I had taken advantage of her distress that they couldn't be together.

Yet, when I finally couldn't take it anymore and suggested divorce, she refused, saying she didn't want to disappoint her parents.

I loved her, and I was willing to wait for her to change her mind.

But my repeated concessions only made her more brazen. She even had children with Blake while abroad and then brought them back home.

When I learned the truth, I was furious, demanding answers. Her chilling reply was:

"I'm already married to you. What's the big deal about having two kids for Blake?"

When I finally made up my mind to divorce her, I was poisoned by their twin children.

At this thought, a bitter, tragic smile twisted my lips.

"If I hadn't known, would you still be planning to play me for a fool?"

"After all, your precious Blake couldn't cough up that much money to save you, could he?"

With that, I challenged Blake with a glance.

Before Blake could speak, Chloe snapped.

"You're lying! Blake was the one who scraped together a million dollars to save me from Mr. Caldwell!"

Hearing that, I couldn't help but laugh aloud.

The sheer audacity. It proved just how far true shamelessness could go.

I had explicitly asked Mr. and Mrs. Miller not to reveal that the money came from me. I didn't want Chloe feeling obligated to me again.

I never expected Blake to claim the credit.

"What's so funny? You think that money was yours?"

"Julian, you heartless monster. You don't deserve anyone's love."

Blake glared at me, his confidence clearly faltering.

I scoffed.

"You're right. It wasn't my money. But it is impressive-scraping together a million dollars in just a few hours."

"Especially for a man who can't usually scrape together a thousand."