Chapter 3

When I arrived at the Quinn house, most people were already there.

As soon as Mrs. Quinn saw me, she smiled and waved. "Violet, come here. I thought you weren't coming today."

I handed her the gift box. "It's your birthday. Of course I'd come."

Mrs. Quinn pulled me to sit down, looking very pleased. "You're always so thoughtful."

I didn't respond to that.

Because the next second, I saw Sophia White.

She wore a light pink dress, standing next to Ethan. The dress was a limited edition I'd ordered last month. Ethan had said it was too expensive and not worth it, so he didn't let me buy it.

Even more ridiculous—she wore a thin diamond necklace around her neck.

Not my emerald.

But it was also something I'd left in the apartment drawer.

Halfway through dinner, someone at the table started teasing.

"Ethan, when are you and Violet getting married? We're all waiting to attend your wedding."

Mrs. Quinn smiled and chimed in. "Soon, soon. After they finish this busy period."

I was about to speak when Sophia suddenly stood up to toast everyone.

She got nervous, her hand shook, and she spilled wine all over her dress.

Her eyes immediately reddened. "I'm sorry, I'm so clumsy..."

Ethan immediately got up to grab napkins and crouched down to wipe her hem.

One of the aunts at the table laughed meaningfully. "Oh my, Ethan really cares about this girl."

Another person glanced at me and deliberately said, "Violet has always had quite a temper. Hope she doesn't overthink things."

Before I could speak, Sophia hurriedly waved her hands.

"No, no, Violet's been very good to me. Last time I wore her pajamas, she didn't even get upset."

This one sentence was more clever than her deliberately reddening her eyes or pretending to shake.

One phrase—"didn't even get upset"—put me on the spot.

If I minded, I was petty.

If I didn't mind, she'd continue occupying my things while playing innocent.

Ethan also looked at me, saying quietly, "Violet, it's my mom's birthday today."

That phrase again.

As if that one sentence meant I should endure everything.

I picked up my bag and headed straight upstairs.

Ethan's lowered voice immediately followed.

"Violet, where are you going?"

"To get a gift."

I didn't look back.

I knew the Quinn family study well. When Uncle Quinn traveled for business, I'd help organize where documents were kept and where spare keys were.

Ethan always said that after we got married, with me managing the house, he could relax.

Looking back now, I really had made things too easy for him.

So easy that he thought I'd never leave.

After entering the study, I first took out a document folder from the drawer.

It was a supplementary agreement my dad had asked me to pass to Uncle Quinn last month. I hadn't looked at it carefully then.

Last night when I moved out, my mom reminded me. Inside, it clearly stated—the thirty million our Smith family had given the Quinn family as working capital was lent on the condition of our engagement.

If the engagement was called off, the money had to be returned within seven days.

I'd just come downstairs with the document folder when Ethan was already waiting at the staircase.

He was barely containing his anger. "What exactly are you trying to do tonight?"

"Give a big gift."

"Stop this."

"Am I causing a scene?" I looked at him. "Since I walked in, have I smashed any glasses or flipped any tables?"

I walked around him and returned to the dining room.

Everyone at the table looked at me.

I placed the document folder on the table and pushed it in front of Uncle Quinn.

"Uncle, Auntie, today is your birthday. I didn't want to bring this up on this occasion. But if I don't say it now, I'll look too oblivious."

Mrs. Quinn's smile stiffened slightly. "Violet, what's wrong?"

I took out a ring from my bag and gently placed it on the table.

Ethan had bought it for me last year, saying he'd officially propose this year on my birthday.

Ethan's expression changed instantly. "Violet!"

I ignored him, looking only at Mr. and Mrs. Quinn.

"I'm calling off this marriage."

"Also, regarding the money our Smith family previously gave the Quinn family, according to the agreement, please return it by next week."

Mrs. Quinn's knife and fork clattered onto the table.

Ethan was the first to react. He grabbed my wrist. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Ethan." I pulled my hand free bit by bit. "The one who's really lost it isn't me."

"It's you, still thinking I'll keep standing in place waiting for you to choose."