Chapter 3

The lawyer nodded. I had my answer.

I took out my phone and contacted several important people.

The first was my dad—Jensen's direct supervisor.

For my sake, he was about to promote Jensen in the next few days.

Marketing Director—a position Jensen had been eyeing for three years.

The second was Violet's parents.

They had remarried and were also in California.

Violet had said countless times that she wanted them to know how excellent she was, to make them regret abandoning her.

Today, I also wanted to know—when her parents saw her with my husband, what would their expressions be?

And Jensen's parents, relatives...

I called everyone I could think of.

Then, following the lawyer, I drove to Violet's apartment complex.

During the twenty minutes waiting for everyone to arrive, I thought about many things.

I thought about Violet and Jensen's first meeting.

One wore a gray suit, aloof and proud.

One wore a red dress, looking completely annoyed.

They each told me: I hate that person.

They said they didn't get along, asked me not to bring them together. I believed them.

So I was always careful, telling Violet in front of Jensen how she praised him as young and promising.

In front of Violet, I gave her gifts I bought for her in Jensen's name.

I thought I was maintaining both my love and my friendship.

Looking back now, the most ridiculous person was actually me.

"Ms. Christina, everyone's here."

The lawyer's voice pulled me back from my thoughts.

I got out of the car and looked at those familiar faces.

Everyone had come. Not a single person was missing.

"Christina, why did you call us all here?"

"Is it about last time when Violet mentioned you buying her an apartment? Oh my, all these years you've helped us take care of Violet, we're so grateful."

Violet's parents eagerly grabbed my hand.

I pulled my hand away without speaking.

Jensen's parents blocked them.

"What are you talking about? It must be about Jensen's promotion to Marketing Manager coming through."

"Christina, Jensen really didn't marry the wrong person."

"Christina, are you preparing a surprise for Jensen? Don't worry, I get it! I even brought a video camera—professional grade!"

They chattered away, not knowing what had happened, but all without exception holding expectations.

Attorney Foster pulled me aside and said quietly:

"Ms. Christina, are you sure you want to make this big of a scene?"

"Once this blows up today, things will truly be irreversible."

I looked up at the light coming from Violet's apartment upstairs.

I remembered that summer when we walked down the street hand in hand, sharing the same ice cream cone.

Her face was flushed red from the sun, her eyes incredibly bright.

"Christina, will we be best friends forever?"

I nodded emphatically. Ice cream smeared on my face.

"Forever!"

And Jensen—he knew I loved the ocean, so when he proposed, he rented an entire beach.

Under the fireworks, he knelt on one knee with a ring.

"Christina, I like you. I'll like you forever. Will you marry me?"

They had each promised me forever, yet in this year when I turned twenty-eight, they had tacitly chosen betrayal.

I looked away. Violet's parents were already impatient.

Jensen's parents had even notified their family members, preparing to throw Jensen a promotion party.

The lights upstairs had also gone out. They must be asleep.

I composed myself and gave everyone behind me a carefree smile.

Pointing to the elevator, "Let's go upstairs. There's a surprise waiting upstairs."