Chapter 2

My words hung in the air, and Scarlett and her friends froze.

Scarlett frowned, her voice edged with impatience. "Liam, is your petty temper flaring up again?"

"We were just playing a prank on you, and you're getting mad? Seriously?"

"Are you even a man? Can't you stop being so small-minded?"

Her scolding almost made me laugh, a bitter, humorless sound.

For three years, she'd put me through ninety-nine 'tests' to "prove my love for her."

Each time, she'd drag me through hell, only satisfied when I was completely humiliated.

My feelings for her had been chipped away, eroded by each one of her cruel games.

Before I could even respond, her friends chimed in, mocking me.

"Liam, that's enough! Are you seriously expecting Scarlett to apologize to *you*?"

"Don't push your luck, man, you're getting too big for your britches!"

"Scarlett and we were just joking around, and you dare to threaten to cancel the wedding? Are you completely out of your mind?"

"Do you really think you can leave Scarlett? Can you give up the wealth and luxury you're about to get your hands on? Do you know how many guys dream of marrying into the Scarlett family?"

"Scarlett just wanted to test your sincerity one last time before the wedding. It's not like she did anything outrageous! And you dare to throw a tantrum? Have you forgotten your place?"

"You pathetic freeloader, you gold-digging pretty boy, how dare you talk back to Scarlett? Who do you think you are?"

Among Scarlett's friends, her "god-brother," Trevor, was the loudest in his mockery.

Trevor sneered at me. "If it weren't for Scarlett, with your dirt-poor background, with nothing to your name or influence, you'd never even dream of getting into our rich kid circle."

"Back then, if it wasn't for Scarlett, you couldn't even afford your mother's funeral."

"You owe Scarlett. You'll never be able to repay that debt in this lifetime, understand?"

"She only pranked you ninety-nine times, and you can't handle it?"

"Don't think just because Mr. Scarlett valued you, you can give Scarlett attitude. Once you leave her, even a stray dog wouldn't spare you a glance, you pathetic piece of trash!"

A cold wind swept through the dilapidated warehouse, making my soaked body shiver violently.

I didn't want to argue anymore. I turned and started to leave.

Scarlett exploded. "Liam, stop right there! Did I say you could leave?"

"We're not even married yet, and you dare to treat me like this. After we're married, you'll start walking all over me, treating me like dirt, won't you?"

"I'm ordering you, get down on your knees and apologize right now. Then I'll forget this ever happened. Otherwise, don't even think I'll forgive you!"

I ignored Scarlett and continued shivering in the cold, walking towards the exit of the crumbling warehouse.

Trevor lunged forward, kicking me hard, sending me sprawling to the ground. He looked down at me, a cold smirk on his face. "Liam, are you deaf? Didn't you hear Scarlett?"

Scarlett's other friends crowded around, their faces gleeful, forcing me to my knees.

Scarlett watched, her eyes cold, as if it still wasn't enough. She said, "Liam, I'm giving you one last chance!"

"Start slapping yourself. You don't stop until I say so."

"Once my anger subsides, I'll forgive you for today's incident."

I stared at her, my heart filled with a profound and utter disappointment.

She wasn't like this once. She really wasn't!

I took a deep breath. "Scarlett, whatever I owed you, I've already paid back."

"I was grateful when you lent me money to bury my mother all those years ago."

"I gave you my genuine heart, but you took advantage of my love, trampling on my dignity more and more recklessly. I'm truly exhausted!"

"Now, in your heart, my standing means less than your friends, less than your god-brother."

"Put your hand on your heart and ask yourself, do you truly see me as your fiancé, or just a pathetic simp you can call and dismiss whenever you please?"

As my words finished, Scarlett's face twisted.

She was clearly embarrassed and furious. "Liam, when did you get so sharp-tongued, so defiant?"

"You're unrepentant. I'll have to teach you a lesson today."

"Slap him!"