He Called Me His Mistress I Made Him Beg

Everyone stared at me in disbelief. No one had expected that, in a moment like this, I would agree to marry a man on the brink of ruin.

A faint smile touched Darryl's handsome face. He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"Of course," he murmured. "I've always dreamed of making you my bride."

The room fell silent.

Guests whispered amongst themselves, hiding their shocked faces behind their hands.

"Is Clara insane? Why would she marry someone who's about to go under?"

"Why not? Maybe she was involved with Darryl first, which is why Blake was forced to call off the engagement!"

At their words, fury contorted Blake's features. He let out a cold snort and stormed out, dragging Sabrina with him.

...

The next day, I made good on my word and went to the old Hawthorne residence on Boston's Beacon Hill to discuss the wedding arrangements.

Darryl's gaze never left me, as if he feared I might vanish if he blinked.

His family laughed at his lovesick expression.

His grandmother pulled me to sit beside her, her expression warm and kind. Then she laid out a collection of priceless jewelry she had amassed over the years, presenting them all as wedding gifts.

"Oh, my goodness... This is far too much," I gasped, rising to my feet. My hands hovered, not daring to touch the priceless collection.

But she packed everything back into a box and firmly pressed it into my arms.

"Clara, you're a rare and wonderful young woman. We are all so thrilled that Darryl is marrying you. These are a token of my blessing, so please, don't deny an old woman this small joy."

I smiled and nodded, finally accepting the box from her.

As I was leaving the Hawthorne estate, I unexpectedly ran into Blake, who was waiting in a secluded cobblestone alley.

He rushed over the moment he saw me.

"Clara, you're really here! So you're really going to marry Darryl?"

I immediately took a step back, putting distance between us.

"Of course. Who would joke about marriage?"

Blake stared at me as if he couldn't comprehend the words, then let out a low laugh.

"Clara, I know you're just doing this to spite me."

His eyes searched my face for any sign of heartbreak, humiliation—any emotion.

"Why go to such lengths just to get back at me? We were in love. I can't bear to see you ruin your own life out of a moment of spite."

"So... I'll marry Sabrina, but you can be my mistress. We can still see each other. I've already prepared an apartment for you."

He didn't seem to notice my simmering fury, continuing as if he were discussing the most natural thing in the world.

"Sabrina is very understanding; she won't get jealous or fight for my attention. Since she's pregnant, I need to take care of her, but I'll come to you every weekend. Don't expect too much; this is the biggest concession I can make."

He smiled at me, a strange, expectant look on his face, as if he were waiting for my gratitude.

"Sabrina is willing to tolerate your presence. You should be grateful."

I could barely believe what I was hearing, my entire body seething with anger.

"Are you listening to yourself? You sound insane."

"Let me be clear—we were completely over the moment you called off the engagement at the party. You still think I'll be your mistress? You're delusional."

My words finally provoked him.

"Clara, I admit I went too far at the party. But I came to you in person and offered you a place by my side. You should know when to back down."

His shamelessness almost made me laugh.

"In your dreams. I'm getting married soon, so stop bothering me."

Blake let out a sharp, incredulous breath and then grabbed my wrist.

"Stop being so stubborn! Darryl is about to go bankrupt—what can he give you?"

"I can give you everything but marriage. If you insist on leaving me, I'll leak fabricated stories to the press about your family's company committing financial fraud!"

"Do you really want to watch your family's company stock price plummet?"

I turned away, my voice as cold as a knife. "The Sinclair family's business is none of your concern."

He stared at me, every word laced with frustration.

"Clara, when did you become so selfish? Let me tell you—no man finds a willful woman attractive."

"Come with me now. Once you move in with me, I'll teach you how to behave."

I struggled, trying to yank my hand free.

Just then, a low, commanding voice cut through the air.

"Let her go."