Love and Hate Drift Far Apart

He mocked me, "You were just some random gigolo she used to make me jealous and you had the nerve to call her, asking her to marry you? What do you think you are?"

"The hundreds of thousands you transferred to her over the past three years, she used it all to please me. Every time I replied to one of her messages, she'd send me a hundred thousand dollars in an instant. But it was never enough. Just a few messages and it'd all be gone, so Ariana had to dig into her own pocket. How can you be such a useless lapdog?"

"Did you seduce Ariana into sleeping with you using that cheap body of yours? Then tonight, I'll make sure you seduce to your heart's content. My friends here are more than enough to satisfy you. Strip him!"

They started violently tearing at my clothes. I struggled with all my strength. Lance, annoyed by the noise, grabbed a wine bottle and smashed it over my head.

A hot stream flowed down my forehead, blurring my vision and dizziness washed over me.

Just as the fabric ripped, the door was kicked open.

"What are you doing?" Ariana barged in and shoved them aside, trying to help me up.

But I pushed her away. I looked at her expensive designer gown and let out a bitter laugh, "Ariana, are you enjoying messing with me?"

"I didn't …" she stuttered.

I said, "At this time of day, shouldn't you be working at McDonald? What kind of McDonald worker wears a gown worth hundreds of thousands? That two hundred dollars daily wage wouldn't even buy a single thread off that dress." She was speechless for a moment.

Lance sneered, "Impressive eye. So, now that you know Ariana is rich, you can't wait to get a piece, huh? I knew it, there's no such thing as someone willing to be a lapdog for nothing. You must've known who she was all along, clinging to her shamelessly, dreaming of turning from a mutt into a phoenix. Pathetic."

Fury and despair surged inside me. All I ever did was love someone. All I wanted was to ease her burdens. I never played with anyone's heart. So why was I being humiliated like this?

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I slapped Lance across the face. Ariana instantly panicked and shoved me away, throwing her arms protectively around the tearful Lance, "Ernest, are you crazy? How could you hit someone?"

I laughed in disbelief and pointed at my own head, "He smashed a bottle on my skull. I just gave him a slap and this is what worries you?"

"Ariana, have you had enough of this little 'princess-turned-beggar' game? We're done." I turned to leave.

She instinctively chased after me and grabbed my wrist, "Ernest, don't go. I …"

Lance quickly whined, "Ariana, you're already carrying my child. Your mom's waiting at home to celebrate with us."

Ariana's eyes flickered. After a long moment of hesitation, she let go of my hand.

"Ernest, this isn't the time to fight. Go home and wait for me. I'll explain everything tomorrow." Then she turned and walked away, hand in hand with Lance.

I looked at her back and gave a helpless smile. Tomorrow?

Tomorrow is your engagement party. Oh wait ... You're already pregnant with someone else's child. Why bother with an engagement? You might as well go straight to the marriage registry.

My manager sent me a message: [Ernest, the client was very satisfied with your performance. Here's your payment.]

The transferred amount was quite generous. Lance really was generous.

Ariana's messages came one after another: [Ernest, things aren't what you think. Once I'm done with all of this, I'll explain everything to you. Just wait a little longer, okay?]

I had already waited three years. I didn't want to wait anymore.

The clock struck midnight. Today was our fourth anniversary. But she was going to marrying another man.

I sent her one last message: [Ariana, congratulations on your engagement.]

The next second, her call came in.