Chapter 5 I'm willing to forgive you

When Donna awoke, the corners of her lips curled into a cold smile.

No-from now on, she must be called Bonnie.

And in that moment of delight, the wretched face of Randor came into view.

"..."

Her pleasant mood vanished in an instant. Still, she swallowed the curse rising in her throat and forced herself to appear gentle, aiming to win Randor's favor.

"Randor, you came to visit me? That's so sweet... You still think of me."

She blinked slowly, casting him a bashful glance, her demeanor a far cry from the sharp-tongued woman he had seen the day before.

Randor let out a scornful chuckle.

"Didn't you scream at me yesterday to get out-said you didn't need me and never wanted to see me again?"

He shot Bonnie a cold glare.

"What now? Change your mind already?"

He sneered again.

"You're such a good actress. If it weren't for my parents calling and begging me to come take care of you, I wouldn't have bothered showing up."

Bonnie clenched her fists tightly, suppressing the overwhelming urge to strike him. Instead, she put on a demure face, her voice dripping with sweetness as she tried to win him over.

"How could I have meant that? I was just... heartbroken because you love someone else. I couldn't accept it, so I said things I didn't mean."

"Randor, you know how deeply I love you. I can't live without you."

She fluttered her lashes at him as she spoke, eyes filled with feigned affection.

A lie-of course.

Who didn't know it was all an act?

At worst, once the b*st*rd left, she'd vomit it all out.

But Randor seemed thoroughly convinced by Bonnie's fragile, bashful demeanor. He reached out and stroked her hair, visibly pleased.

"Good. As long as you stop causing trouble, I'm willing to forgive you."

In Randor's eyes, Bonnie still held value-still a useful pawn. That was reason enough for him to keep her around.

"As for Fallon, that was all a misunderstanding. She seduced me, not the other way around. I couldn't care less about her. Don't worry."

"I'll handle it properly..."

Randor softened his tone, trying to explain himself, but Bonnie barely listened.

Inside, she scoffed coldly.

If it hadn't been for that provocative photo Fallon had sent her beforehand, the old, naïve Bonnie might've been fooled.

But not her.

Not anymore.

This b*st*rd really thought he could deceive her.

Didn't care about Fallon? And yet Fallon had a photo of them tangled in bed, with Randor fast asleep, looking utterly satisfied?

Did she seduce him? Fine-but that somehow led to both of them in bed together?

Or he wanted to say that-she tripped and accidentally landed under the sheets with him.

Did he think she was a child?

Disgusting.

Bonnie curled her lip in silent contempt, but on the surface, she beamed with delight.

"Really? I knew it, Randor... You only love me."

Seeing that Bonnie had calmed down, Randor lost the last shred of patience for playing nice. He lazily stroked her cheek, muttered a few meaningless words, and then reminded her:

"Don't forget-our engagement ceremony is next week. Stop thinking about someone as shameless as Fallon. She's not worth it."

"Make sure you're mentally prepared. The ceremony needs to be perfect."

Randor added matter-of-factly,

"The media's paying a lot of attention to our engagement, you know..."

As he went on, Bonnie's eyes suddenly lit up.

The media's paying a lot of attention?

Oh, how interesting.

Her gaze toward Randor grew even softer, sweetened with just the right touch of affection-but deep within, a glint of exhilaration sparked in her eyes.

"Alright, I understand. I'll make sure everything is perfect," she said gently.

And when that day comes, she added silently, I'll have a very special gift for you, Randor. Something grand. Something unforgettable.

Bonnie's lips curled ever so slightly.

Randor, now thoroughly disinterested, ruffled her hair with a smile.

"Good. Get some rest."

"A lot is going on at the company-I need to take care of things."

With that, he left without another glance, his departure as careless as ever.

Only then did Bonnie finally relax, her shoulders easing as the door clicked shut.

The moment he was gone, a storm of curses surged in her mind-she silently hurled every vile insult she knew at Randor until she felt somewhat satisfied.

Then, she lay back on the bed, closed her eyes, and began to think.

Where should she begin the plan?

...

Time passed quickly, and Bonnie adapted to her new identity with surprising ease.

And finally, the fateful engagement ceremony arrived.

From the early morning hours,

Bonnie had to reluctantly part with her warm, comfortable bed to head to the studio-makeup, hairstyling, and outfit fittings all awaited her.

And of course, Lily-her best friend. Or rather, Bonnie's best friend-was there too.

Nagging non-stop.

"Bonnie, are you seriously going through with this engagement to that b*st*rd?"

"Don't be blinded by love like this. He's definitely cheating on you."

"Don't believe a word he says. He's just playing you."

As the makeup artist worked on Bonnie's face, Lily stood with hands on her hips, trying to knock some sense into her.

One moment she was cursing Randor as a total scumbag,

The next, she was praising how amazing Bonnie was and insisting she deserved so much better.

Bonnie's head was practically buzzing from the noise.

Finally, when the makeup artist stepped out to grab a hair tool, she reached out and pulled Lily close, lowering her voice.

"Hey. Stop talking already. I'm not that stupid-don't worry."

"Today's engagement ceremony? It's just a little gift I've prepared in return for that b*st*rd."

Bonnie nodded firmly to reassure her.

Lily looked skeptical.

"Are you serious?"

Bonnie had always said Lily was someone she could trust-and now Donna, living as Bonnie, nodded with conviction.

"Of course. The plan's a bit long, I'll tell you everything later."

"But for now, can you do something for me? Something really important."