My Betrothal Partner and the Secrets We Share

The message came from someone saved in the phone as "Little Fool Pig." The photo showed Grace sitting in a hospital emergency room, looking disheveled but still smiling at the camera, flashing a peace sign. Her caption read: [Take your time on the way here, drive safely. I’ll be waiting for you.]

That was when I realized. I let out a self-deprecating smile. So, that was the reason Daniel out in a haste. I called a local courier service to have his phone sent to his office. Afterward, I went straight to work. 

Since graduating, I'd been working at the McLaughlin Family business. My father wanted to toughen me up, so he made me start at the very bottom as an entry-level employee. Years of hard work and proving myself paid off—I was now the department manager, a position I had earned through my own abilities. As soon as I arrived at the office, my assistant walked up to me, handed me a file, “Good morning, ma’am. Here’s a document that needs your approval. All the processes are complete; we just need your signature to finalize it.”

I took the file and scanned its contents—it was a collaboration with the Rollins Group. Yet, for some reason, I couldn’t recall ever hearing about this project.

“Is everything all right, ma’am? Should we go ahead?” my assistant asked, noticing my hesitation.

“No!” My response was sharp and immediate, causing her to look startled. But she quickly recovered her composure and hesitated before adding, “Didn’t you say that unless it’s a very important collaboration, the first choice should always be the Rollins Group?”

I had indeed given such instructions—back when I was still naively optimistic about my future with Daniel. At the time, I thought our families would eventually unite and whether his company earned more or mine did hardly seemed to matter. I trusted him so completely that I didn’t bother scrutinizing projects that involved the Rollins Group. “Let’s pass on this one. But from now on, we’ll make sure to choose the best option. The company’s interests come first,” I said as I signed the document.

The workday flew by and when I finally finished, I was starving. I had planned to try the new restaurant that had just opened in town. But when I arrived, I found it packed with people. Just as I was about to leave, I heard a familiar voice calling me.

“Ms. McLaughlin, over here!”

I turned around to find Grace and Daniel sitting at a table, beaming up at me. “It’s so nice to see you. Here for their specials too?” Grace leaned forward, her excitement unmasked.

Daniel froze for a moment when he saw me, but quickly recovered. “I was just about to call you and invite you to join us for dinner. What a coincidence that you also came here. This place is packed, come sit with us,” he said, gesturing for the waiter to bring an extra set of utensils. I hadn’t eaten much at lunch and now, my stomach was rumbling. I figured I might as well stay and join them.

“Ms. McLaughlin, I remember you like spicy food,” Grace chimed in. “Let me order some for you.”

I glanced at the table—everything was light and mild, totally not what Daniel and I usually went for. We both loved spicy food. He had once told me that dishes without chili were like lifeless meals. Without spice, it was as if the food had no soul. Of course Daniel didn’t bat an eye, as the fresh meal spread in front of him.

“Hold on, now. I think we both know who's gonna eat the spicy dish,” Daniel said with a teasing grin. He shot Grace a displeased look. “Grace... didn’t you hear the doctor? You need to lay off the spice and stick to lighter food.”

Grace rolled her eyes playfully. “Alright, alright, Mr. Nagging. I won’t order it, jeez. Happy now?”

Watching them bicker, my heart, already battered, didn’t even twitch. It was numb to it all now.

He sighed and shook his head. “You guys go ahead, I need to make a quick call.”

As soon as Daniel walked away, Grace’s smile faded and she shot me a look filled with challenge.

“So, Lenore, right? I have to admit, I’m impressed,” she said, her voice laced with scorn, “You know Daniel just proposed to me, yet here you are, still clinging to him. You sure have some nerve.”

I heard the contempt in her words, but I didn’t flinch. Looking up at her, I replied, “Is stealing someone’s boyfriend something to be proud of? Do you think it’s worth flaunting in front of everyone?”

“You—” She started, her mouth opening in surprise, but before she could finish, a thick cloud of smoke suddenly wafted from the kitchen.