From Blind Love to Self Love

After the kiss, Mariska gave me a provocative glance and blushed coyly. "Stop it, so many people are watching."

The professionally trained store staff kept their heads down and eyes averted.

Only I pursed my lips, felt a wave of physical disgust.

Gary raised his brows at me, misreading my expression and squinted smugly, "Since you know you're wrong, come apologize to Mariska on your knees."

But before he could finish, Mariska suddenly gasped, "Gary, this ring is so pretty. I really love it! Hurry and let me try it on."

The staff shook her head apologetically, "Sorry, this ring belongs to Miss Parker. It's a custom-made, one-of-a-kind global limited edition. We can't let you try it on." The clerk carefully picked up the ring and slipped it onto my finger.

Mariska stared at my hand, her eyes glints with resentment and greed.

Suddenly, her eyes reddened with unjustified grievance, "Rose, you know that Gary and I are getting married next week. Are you trying to embarrass me on purpose with this wedding ring?"

Getting married next week? But Gary knew my birthday banquet was next week too, where my father would host my engagement banquet to a marriage alliance partner.

As the daughter of the wealthiest man in North England, my wedding would be the talk of the city.

I looked up at Gary. His gaze flickered and he gave a guilty, awkward explanation, "Just hide somewhere during the ceremony. I'll tell the wedding planners it's a traditional Scotland wedding, swap you out for Mariska as the bride. Once it's over, I'll spend a few days with you. You should be happy with that."

He said it like he was making some noble sacrifice. I was so furious I laughed. All my life, I'd never seen someone so shameless.

A housemaid's daughter stole the place of a heiress for a glamorous wedding was one thing, but expecting me, the real bride, to hide like a rat?

Thankfully, I'd cut my losses in time. The groom had already been replaced.

Gary mistook my silence for submission and ordered, "Anyway, you won't need the ring anymore. Take it off and give it to Mariska."

"No," I sneered coldly. "Gary, where did you even get the confidence that I must marry you?"

Gary froze, then scoffed like he'd heard the world's funniest joke, "Do you even hear yourself? Who else would want a shameless, clingy mutt like you if not me?"

Before I could react, he yanked the ring off my finger and shoved it onto Mariska's.

But the ring was a size too small. No matter how hard she pushed, it wouldn't fit. Tears welled in her eyes as she whimpered, "Rose, if you didn't want to give it to me, you could've just said so. Why hurt me like this on purpose?"

Gary was furious, he snatched the ring and stormed into the restroom. He flushed it down the toilet five times.

Then came out with his arms around a weeping Mariska, but not before shouted at me in disappointment, "If Mariska can't wear it, you, a venomous woman, don't deserve to either."

The ring was gone. I had no idea how I'd explain this to Frank, until he called first to comfort me.

He said he'd already ordered a new custom ring overseas and promised it would arrive in time for my birthday banquet. He told me not to worry.

I relaxed and on my way back, I dropped by the studio to pick up the wedding dress my mother designed for me before she passed.

But as soon as I walked in, the front desk staff said, "Miss Rose, Mr. Osborn is upstairs."

For five years, no one around me knew I'd been obsessively in love with Gary to the point of self-destruction.

Even in the one area I valued most, my work, Gary acted like he owned the place. That thought made my heart sink.

I rushed upstairs and the scene I walked in on made my blood boil all the way to the top of my head.