Runaway Bride, Runaway Heart

Oliver angrily grabbed my arm and pulled me back.

"What do you mean we're not close? I already agreed to have another wedding with you. Who exactly are you throwing this tantrum for?"

I shook off his hand. "Oliver, we broke up three years ago! I don't want to have a wedding with you! Stay away from me! I wouldn't want my husband to misunderstand."

Oliver laughed mockingly at my words. "Husband? You're married? Jessica, stop playing hard to get just to get my attention. I'll give you the fairytale wedding you always dreamed of, and with the wedding dress you wanted.

"This time, the wedding will be even grander than three years ago! Now that I'm the general manager of the company's branch, money is not a problem!

"Mr. Holden is hosting a business banquet tomorrow evening. I'll bring you along and introduce you as my fiancee." He held out the check again. "Take this and buy yourself a decent evening gown. Don't embarrass me!"

I smiled and pushed the check back to him. "Thanks, but I don't need it."

Oliver glared at me. "Jessica, your temper has gotten worse over these three years! Fine, if you're not going, I'll take Angela instead and introduce her as my wife!"

"Be my guest," I answered indifferently, grabbing my luggage and leaving.

They could wait here all they wanted for the Samantha they'd been expecting. I wondered if they'd ever find her.

...

The next evening, my stylist curled my hair into soft waves. I wore a custom-made, understated black evening dress without any visible logo.

When Oliver saw me at the banquet, his face broke into a smug expression that clearly said, "I knew you'd show up."

"Didn't you say you weren't coming? Are you regretting it now?" he sneered, stepping closer. "Well, you should. It was the smart thing to do. I'm the general manager of Holden Group's branch office now.

"Do you really think you'll find anyone better than me? That dress isn't bad, either. You should wear things like that more often. I can't have my girlfriend looking cheap and making me look bad."

Ignoring him completely, I walked past Oliver toward the front-row seats, but he reached out and grabbed my arm.

"Jessica, the guests tonight are all senior executives from Fortune 500 companies. Don't run around. Sit right next to me."

He pointed to an empty seat beside him. "Sit here."

I frowned, pulled away, and gestured toward the very front. "My seat is in the first row."

Everyone knew what the three seats in the first row represented.

Oliver's expression darkened instantly.

Just then, Angela rushed over and grabbed my necklace. "Jessica, how did you even get in without an invitation? And you're still wearing this fake necklace!"

Her voice wasn't loud, but the room was quiet enough that she immediately drew everyone's attention.

"Oh my god! Isn't that the Heart of the Ocean necklace? Mr. Holden gave that to his wife!"

"She's wearing a fake necklace at this banquet? Isn't that openly provoking Mrs. Holden?"

"Mr. Parker, do you know this woman? How could you associate with someone like her?"

Oliver quickly denied knowing me.

Angela immediately called security, asking them to throw me out.

I laughed coldly, staring right at her. "Are you sure you want me out?"

For a moment, Angela froze, taken aback by the look in my eyes. I was nothing like the timid woman she remembered from three years ago.

She hesitated for a moment before pulling herself together. "Why shouldn't I? You're just a woman who sneaked in without an invitation. Who knows if you're here to steal something? Take off that necklace! What if Mrs. Holden sees it and gets upset?"

Angela reached for the necklace again. This time, I couldn't protect it. She ripped it off my neck, sending me tumbling to the floor.

Someone stepped on my wrist, sending sharp pain up my arm, but I forced myself to curl up to shield my stomach.

Others quickly joined in, eager to throw me out of the banquet hall.

Struggling, I began, "I'm Daniel's..."

Before I could finish, Angela slapped me hard. "Were you about to say you're Mr. Holden's mistress?"

I shot Angela a fierce glare. I hadn't intended to get involved with them after returning, but Angela had pushed me too far. I'd make sure to repay her for this slap.

She raised her hand to slap me again, but Oliver caught her wrist just in time.

He looked at me with a frown. "Jessica, I know you're just trying to get my attention. You showed up at the airport yesterday. And now, you're here at the banquet too. You want to reconcile, but you won't say it outright.

"I've already said we'll have another wedding. So, what more do you want? If you keep making a scene, I'll cancel it altogether!"

I furrowed my brows, astonished at his arrogance. What made him think I'd marry him?

Sensing my silence, Oliver seemed relieved. Just as he opened his mouth to say something else, the banquet hall doors swung open.

A tall man in a navy-striped suit walked in, holding the hand of a little girl dressed like a princess in blue.

"Mr. Holden has arrived..."

Everyone stood up immediately, welcoming him respectfully.

As soon as they entered, the little girl broke free from Daniel's grasp and ran toward me with excitement.

Oliver suddenly turned to me. "Mr. Holden's daughter is really adorable. If we got married and had a daughter, I bet she'd be just as beautiful as you.

"Jessica, stop being mad. The past is behind us. Let's have a child together."

Right as he finished speaking, the little girl reached me and happily jumped into my arms.