Chapter 1 Break heart

Irene

In the residential neighborhood of West Brunswick, it was ten o'clock at night when I opened the door and stepped into the house. Everything was pitch-black. I pressed the switch, and the crystal chandelier lit up, its light reflected on the large bay windows, casting my shadow onto the floor.

Tomorrow, this house would become my marital home.

My fiancé, Perry Bart-department director, handsome, always attentive. I was so lucky to have met such a man in my life. According to tradition, we weren't supposed to see each other the day before the wedding, so Perry was staying here while I stayed at my best friend Liliana's home.

Right before going to bed, I had checked the things I needed for the next day and realized I had forgotten my wedding veil. So I slipped quietly into the house without calling Perry first, just to surprise him. Thinking that after tomorrow Perry and I would live happily together forever, I was all smiles. I put on my slippers and walked toward the living room.

As I walked, I heard a woman's moans of pleasure. I froze in shock. The master bedroom door was slightly ajar, and those sounds... were coming from there. Suddenly, a furious fire erupted inside me, and my legs went numb. Yet I still walked toward the door, almost involuntarily. Standing in front of it, I could clearly hear the cries of pleasure inside; they grew clearer and louder, and with each sound, my heart tightened painfully. The door wasn't even closed. I pushed it lightly, and it swung open without resistance. I saw a woman's high heels, underwear, and stockings scattered on the floor. It was impossible not to imagine what was happening.

Forcing down my anger and panic, I looked toward the bed. One glance, and heartbreak nearly suffocated me.

My dear cousin was straddling a man in ecstasy.

And the man beneath her was my fiancé Perry, who was supposed to marry me tomorrow.

Courtney threw me a glance from the doorway, a hint of provocation in her eyes, and her moans grew even louder. My vision blurred; even breathing hurt with heartbreak. My fiancé was passionately giving himself to another woman-someone who wasn't me. Rage and humiliation hit me like a slap. I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to run in and stop them.

Courtney: "Baby, you're marrying Irene tomorrow and you're still sleeping with me-don't you feel guilty?"

Perry: "Why? Guilty about what? We do this all the time. Besides, she'll never know."

Perry's deep voice floated through the room as his hands wandered over Courtney's body.

Courtney: "And what if she comes and sees us making love? What would you do then? She'd call off the wedding, wouldn't she?"

Courtney looked at me provocatively again, an arrogant smirk on her lips.

Perry: "She won't come. And even if she finds out, so what? Forget the wedding. I never planned to get married this early anyway-she forced me into it."

He smiled carelessly and continued sleeping with Courtney.

Courtney: "If you don't want to get married, then why keep pretending? After tomorrow, you'll never see me again."

Perry: "Stop... don't talk like that, please."

Courtney: "Baby... your fiancée is really here."

Courtney lifted herself off Perry's chest and pointed at the door.

Perry: "How is that possible? I just sent her away, why-"

He turned toward the door mid-sentence.

Me: "What are you doing here?"

The moment he saw me, he froze. Panic filled his eyes as he scrambled away from Courtney. His desire instantly evaporated; he didn't even have time to cover his naked body. Courtney wrapped herself in the blanket and stared at me calmly, an ironic smile tugging at her lips.

My tears burst out uncontrollably. Anger and hatred surged through me. I wanted to scream, to lash out, but all I could do was turn my back and walk away. The truth was crushing me.

With a bath towel around his waist, Perry rushed after me with a guilty expression.

Perry: "Irene, listen to me..."

Me: "What is there to explain? I saw everything with my own eyes. What else is there to say?"

Heartbreak choked me, but a tiny part of me still hoped his explanation might offer something-anything.

Courtney had slipped into Perry's shirt. Her wavy hair was messy over her shoulders, making her look even more seductive. She walked toward me with that provocative look in her eyes.

Courtney: "We've been together for three years, you know."

I turned toward Perry, but he lowered his gaze. I couldn't believe it.

For seven years, I had loved him. I had trusted both of them-my fiancé and my cousin-and yet they had been together behind my back.

Me: "You bitch!"

Smack! I couldn't hold back anymore and slapped Courtney fiercely. The force numbed my own hand.

Perry: "Courtney!" he shouted, full of concern for her. Courtney turned her face away dramatically, then threw herself into his chest, glaring at me with fury.

"Courtney, are you okay? Does it hurt?" Perry asked anxiously, and the sight broke my heart even more. My fiancé, protecting the woman who ruined our relationship-how could I not feel hatred?

Courtney: "Perry, it hurts... she hit me..."

She clung to him pitifully, fake tears running down her cheeks. Seeing this made my anger explode again.

Me: "Courtney, get out! This is my house-get out!"

Perry: "Stop! Irene, don't make a scene!"

Perry rushed toward me, pushed me to the ground, and held Courtney in his arms. The physical pain was nothing compared to the heartbreak of watching that scene.

I stood up and looked at Perry with a sad smile. At that moment, I finally realized his mistress meant far more to him than I ever did.

Me: "Perry, I hate you!" I screamed hysterically, as if draining the last of my strength. Then I ran out of the house like a madwoman.

Everything I had seen kept replaying in my head.

The night before my wedding... my fiancé slept with another woman-my cousin. I thought that kind of drama only happened on TV, but it happened to me.

After seven years of love, I truly believed we would live happily after marriage. All my dreams shattered in a single night. The man who once said he loved me and wanted a life with me... no longer existed.

In a bar, the smell of smoke and alcohol filled the air. Loud music made the walls vibrate, and a man danced wildly on the dance floor. Sitting in a corner, I drank glass after glass, trying to drown my emotions. The night before my wedding, I had seen my fiancé and my cousin sleeping together.

My mind was a mess. I took a large gulp of strong alcohol. It burned my throat and made me choke, but inside I felt nothing-just numbness.

Suddenly, my gaze fell on a man not far away. Wearing a black suit, he sat alone at the bar with a cold expression. I recognized him-it was Perry's boss, Nathan. Perry had taken me to his company's banquet once, and I remembered Nathan because he had given a speech. But I didn't know why he was here. Do people from high society also come to bars like this? A crazy idea crossed my mind.

Since Perry had betrayed me the night before our wedding...

I wanted to forget, to take revenge somehow-even if it meant nothing. He loved someone else, that was obvious. Holding my glass, I stood up and staggered toward Nathan, drunk. I tripped and fell right into his arms.

He looked young, around thirty. The collar of his white shirt was unbuttoned, and his sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, revealing tan skin. He had a high nose bridge, seductive lips, and a pair of deep, captivating eyes-but cold. So handsome, yet so indifferent.

Nathan stared at me with a cold, disgusted look and immediately pushed me away.

Me: "Spend the night with me."

Drunk, I looked at Nathan's attractive face and spoke weakly.

Nathan: "What?"

His eyes widened; clearly, he hadn't expected such directness.

Me: "I said spend the night with me. Don't you understand?"

I hooked my arms around his neck and whispered against his lips. The alcohol made me bolder; normally I would never dare do such a thing. But after the pain I went through today, I let myself go.

Nathan: "Girls these days are getting bolder."

He looked at me indifferently, filled with disdain. He probably thought I was some cheap woman who flirted with strangers in bars.

Me: "What? Or is it that you can't?"

I let my gaze drift downward to his crotch, provocatively.

No man accepts being called impotent. Nathan was no exception. The moment I said those words, his face darkened and his eyes grew even colder.

Nathan: "I hope you won't regret what you just said."

He immediately dragged me out of the bar and booked a room at the hotel across the street. I had drunk too much, my legs were weak, and I couldn't help leaning against him. As soon as the door closed, Nathan lifted my chin, stared deep into my eyes, and crushed his lips against mine. I melted under his dominant, rough kisses.

It was a chaotic, passionate night. When I woke up the next morning, my whole body ached as if my bones were breaking. I cursed Nathan quietly. He must have been insane last night-he had been an absolute beast!

I sat up and looked down. When I saw the hickeys on my chest and the pinch marks on my arms, I grew even angrier. It was just sex-did he really need to be so rough?

Nathan: "Satisfied with my skills?"

I snapped my head to the side at the sound of his deep, sexy voice. Nathan was staring at me with cold eyes. Panicking, I wrapped myself quickly in a blanket. Even if I had been the one who initiated everything last night, it was still embarrassing to have a stranger staring at my naked body.

Nathan: "Pretending to be innocent now? You were bold and vulgar enough last night."

He stood and walked closer, his tone full of contempt. His arrogance made me uncomfortable; he spoke as if I were some cheap prostitute.

All I could do was play the role I had created for myself. I grabbed my clothes from the floor and put them on in front of him.

Me: "Well, you're very skilled, your thing is pretty big, and I'm very satisfied," I said with a flirtatious glance at his crotch.

Nathan's expression darkened immediately, anger flashing in his eyes.

Nathan: "I knew you were a shameless, vulgar girl, but-"

He suddenly stopped speaking and stared at the bed. Confused, I followed his gaze... and saw the bright red stain on the sheets. I wasn't surprised-I knew very well that I had been a virgin.

I had loved Perry for seven years.

I had always believed I should save myself for our wedding night, but before the wedding, I discovered the truth-how disgusting he really was, betraying me with my cousin. And I ended up giving my virginity to a stranger by accident.