You're Only Worth Being Pitied, Ex-Husband

[Darrick, don't come see me. I don't want you to see me at my lowest. I want you to remember me as the beautiful eighteen-year-old I once was.]

Seeing the message, Darrick completely panicked. He snatched the keys and rushed out.

His brother turned pale with fear and hurried after him.

They tugged at each other outside the hotel entrance and quarreled, "Darrick, have you lost your mind? Can't you tell Miss Graham was speaking sarcastically?"

"If you dare leave today, the Calderon Family will be disgraced in Bridgit's elite circles tomorrow. Is it worth it for a Myra?"

Darrick shook off his brother's hand, getting into the car as he casually remarked, “What's there to fear? Marylin is carrying my child. If she doesn't wait for me to come back, does she think she can marry someone else?”

"Besides, Myra isn't an outsider. She's... the one I love in my heart."

With that, he slammed his foot on the accelerator and the Maybach sped off into the rain.

No sooner had Darrick departed than my parents arrived.

Scanning the lobby and finding no sign of Darrick, their expressions darkened slightly.

"Marylin, what's going on? Where's Darrick?" my father asked confusingly.

I just answered calmly, "He left, went to find his mistress."

My father's face twisted with fury and he immediately tried to take me away. “The Calderon Family certainly has the nerve to do this after taking three hundred million in benefits and then turning their backs on us.”

“How dare they try to intimidate my daughter on her wedding day? Do they think the Graham Family has no one to stand up for us?"

"This marriage is off. I'm taking my daughter away right now!"

"Mark my words, after today, anyone who dares to do business with the Calderon Family is declaring war on me!"

His words echoed through the hall, sending shivers down everyone's spine.

Mr. Calderon’s face drained of color as he rushed forward to restrain my father. "No, Mr. Graham, please don't act rashly! My son acted out of line today. I'll discipline him properly once he returns!"

"Myra was nothing more than a mistress. I've already expelled her from the company. Who knew she wouldn't give up?"

"Rest assured, this will never happen again. Today is a special occasion—please do me the favor of not making such a scene..."

My mother grabbed my hand with one arm while shoving Mr. Calderon away with the other. "Give you face? Who will restore the face lost by the Graham Family then?"

"Now that he's gone, you suddenly know how to apologize? Were you all dead just now?"

"Before marriage, you openly tried to steal my daughter away. What do you take the Graham Family for? My daughter doesn't need scum like you!"

"Marylin, let’s go home!"

She tugged at my arm, ready to leave, but I stood rooted to the spot, a faint smile spreading across my face.

"Dad, Mom, Darrick has issues, but his parents indeed stopped him. You can't blame them."

“Besides, the partnership between our two families is already underway. If we call off the engagement now, won't those three hundred million just go down the drain without a trace?"

Darrick’s father was visibly moved, repeatedly praising my maturity.

'Marylin, thank you for your understanding. When Darrick returns, I'll make sure he marries you. There won't be any more mishaps this time!"

Facing their earnest gazes, I slowly shook my head. "One embarrassing incident is enough. Choosing Darrick again would make me the laughingstock of Bridgit society."

“Besides, the Calderón Family has more than one unmarried man, doesn't it?”

A smile curved my lips as my gaze swept around the hall.

It finally settled on Jayson Calderon's face in the corner and I tapped my finger in his direction. "I think Uncle Jayson is quite suitable."

"I hear he's a sworn brother you made years ago, only eight years older than Darrick. I doubt there'd be much of a generation gap between us."

Darrick’s father's eyes widened, he and Darrick’s mother spoke in unison, "Absolutely not!"

"Jayson is merely my younger brother—not truly part of the Calderon Family. He knows nothing about company affairs. Miss Graham, please don't joke about this."