Go to Hell, Ex! I Deserve Someone Better than You

"Please give me one more chance, Bri. I'm sorry I disappointed you. I shouldn't have proposed to her. I just realized that you're the best girl for me," Xander said as he knelt before me. His hands clasped together. His face was pleading, as if he couldn't live without me.

However, I still glared at him. "Why are you just realizing it now? Isn't it too late? You've been married to Carrie for five years, Xander. Five years! And you already have a child."

"No, Bri. It's not too late. I'm divorcing her soon. We can get married and live the life we once dreamed of. I promise to make you happy, Bri," Xander nodded reassuringly.

"Make me happy?" I crossed my arms. My voice rose even higher. "How? You've given Carrie all my dreams. A wedding on the beach, a honeymoon in Lofoten, an apartment with a beautiful rooftop. You even named your child the name I chose."

"That's exactly it, Bri," Xander shook my leg, "you can think of him as our son. I gave him that name because I couldn't forget you. I wanted our memories and hopes to live on in him. And now, we can be together again. We can make our dreams come true."

I sighed in disbelief, and pulled my feet back, away from Xander's touch. "Do you think I was that desperate after breaking up with you? My world doesn't revolve around you, Xander. I've moved on and have a new boyfriend. Why would I go back to someone who dumped me?"

"I didn't dump you, Bri. I was just too stupid. I didn't realize that I truly loved you back then. I-"

"If it's love, why did you only realize it now?" I interrupted with a sour face. "Is it because I already have a career and achievements to be proud of? So you don't have to be embarrassed to be with me in front of other people? Or is it because you think I won't betray you like your wife did?"

Before Xander could answer, I continued, "I'm not a garbage collector, Xander. Just because your wife dumped you doesn't mean I have to pick you up. Moreover, I've found a man who accepts me for who I am, and he is much better than you. Therefore, just dream that we can go back to how we used to be."

Xander shifted forward and shook my leg again. "No, Bri. That's not true. I came back to you because I realized I love you. You still love me, right? You once said I was the man you loved most in the world. Your dream was to marry me. Let's make that happen now!"

I snorted. My cheeks twitched in disgust. I can't understand what's inside Xander's brain. How could he repeat a promise he had clearly broken? How dare he apologize as if I wasn't hurt that much? Had he forgotten his sins against me?

Whereas ....

Five years ago, I thought our relationship was perfect. He loved me, and I loved him. He supported my dreams, and I supported his. I even did everything in my power to help him start his business. Yes, he dreamed of becoming a successful entrepreneur, and he had many beautiful promises to fulfill.

"If I have been successful, let's build a harmonious, happy, and prosperous family. Let's have a wedding on the beach. Just like what you've always imagined."

"Let's honeymoon in Lofoten. That's your dream, right? Don't worry about the cost. My savings will definitely exceed that."

"One day, I'll be able to afford that apartment. We'll decorate every room with love. I'm sure our home will feel warm and cozy."

He made all those promises to me, and I believed them. I patiently waited for them.

But as it turned out?

When he had succeeded, he dumped me in front of everyone. He was supposed to propose to me, but instead, he offered the ring to my best friend who had just returned from Europe.

"Wait!" I interrupted his proposal. Confusion clouded my mind. "Is this a prank? I'm standing right here, Xander. Why are you kneeling in front of Carrie?"

Xander stared at me coldly. For the first time, I caught the hatred in his eyes.

"You weren't even invited to this event, Bri. Why should I kneel before you?" His tone was cold as well.

I gasped. My tongue felt numb, my chest starting to feel tight.

"I heard you were planning to propose to someone today. Who else would you propose to if not me?" I replied, still trying to laugh.

However, Xander just snorted. "Did I tell you to come here?"

My smile completely vanished. "No, but ... I'm your girlfriend. We were planning to get married, and that pink diamond ring is the one you promised me. You couldn't possibly give it to anyone else, could you?"

I couldn't pretend to be okay anymore. My eyes were starting to redden. Furthermore, Xander's mother was grabbing my arm roughly.

"Hey, you country girl! You weren't invited here. How dare you come here and ruin my son's proposal?"

"But ...." My throat tightened. My eyes grew hot. "Xander, please stop joking. This isn't funny."

Xander finally got up. He stood right in front of me, whispering, "I'm not kidding, Bri. I've decided we can't be together anymore. I choose Carrie. She's better for me. So get out of my sight and never come near me again."

My breath hitched. Tears began to fall. "But why? We're still fine-"

"You're so shameless, I see. You dare ask why?" Xander's mother snorted. Her tone was full of contempt. "My son is now a successful businessman. He deserves to be with a woman from high society, too. Not with a parasite like you, who can only depend on your uncle's family for your entire life!"

The middle-aged woman pushed my shoulder with her index finger. Her strength wasn't much, but the pain I felt was immense.

Moreover, Xander continued to propose to Carrie. He didn't care about the people who jeered at me. He didn't even turn his head when I was dragged out and collapsed in front of the door.

That day was the worst nightmare of my life. I could only sob, knowing that his promises were just words, and my dreams were just fantasies. I had no choice but to keep living with the pain I hoped would disappear soon, with the loneliness I considered a curse.

But now, just as I'd let go of my grief, Xander returned. He knelt before me, begging for forgiveness and a chance. All because he realized he'd chosen the wrong woman-the woman who cheated on him and abandoned their child.

Should I pity him?

No.

I once loved him sincerely, and he paid for it with betrayal. I gave him the best of me, but he wasted it.

I didn't want to be dumped again. No matter how he tried to persuade me, I wouldn't return to his embrace. He's no longer the most important man in my life. I dumped him long ago.

So now, should I kick him, curse him, and spit on him like he and his mother did? Or, should I run to my lover and kiss him passionately on the lips? Was there another, more subtle, but painful way to get revenge?

To be continued ....

Briony smiled to herself as she read the latest chapter of her novel, which she published on Little Sparks last night. She even clapped to herself and cheered triumphantly.

"I'm brilliant! Look at how many fireflies I've earned! No wonder my novel tops the daily popularity charts. Readers must be thrilled and can't wait for the next chapter. Oh, and there are already thousands of comments!"

She checked what her readers posted there.

"Men like Xander don't deserve a chance. Just put him in a sack and throw him into the ocean! Let him be eaten by a shark!"

"Xander is a true narcissist! How could he think Brisia still loved him? Does he think he's the most handsome in the universe? If I were Brisia, I would have vomited all over his face!"

"Come on, Brisia! Prove that you don't need a lousy man like Xander! Throw him to the farthest planet! Remember how he used to treat you! Make him suffer worse than you!"

Briony smiled with satisfaction at the outpouring of emotion in the comments section. She was proud that readers were so supportive and on her side.

"You're right. Brisia doesn't need Xander. She can live without him. Now, she's happy with a new dream. To become a successful writer with many supporters," Briony murmured, her eyes filled with emotion. Bitter memories flashed through her mind. Before she sank into the past, she straightened her back and took a deep breath. "Enough, Briony. Don't dwell on the past. Let's write a new chapter! The readers are waiting."

Briony's hands hovered over her laptop keyboard. Her mind was ready to concoct the next chapter of Brisia and Xander's story. Just then, someone knocked on the door. Thinking it was her breakfast, Briony's face lit up.

"Wait a minute!" She approached the door to get her chicken salad. However, as soon as the door opened, her cheerfulness vanished. Her breath hitched.

There, a man stood with his fists clenched tightly. His face was grim. His eyes were piercing.

"Alexander?" Briony sighed as her sanity returned. Not wanting to get involved with the man, she quickly closed the door. Unfortunately, Alexander had already blocked the door with his arm.

"Alex, what are you doing here? You don't want to see me again, remember? So, leave! I don't want anything to do with you anymore!" Briony shouted, pushing the door to close. Unfortunately, Alexander managed to hold it.

"You said you didn't want anything to do with me anymore?" The man snorted. Then, after a jerk, Briony stumbled backward. The door swung open and Alex entered, looking menacing. His voice boomed, "Then why are you writing about us?"

Briony was shocked. Her jaw dropped open. Unwilling to explain what she had done, she put on an innocent expression. "Write what? I don't understand what you mean. I-"

Briony gasped. Her eyes widened. Her hands thrashed against the strong hand that was now gripping her neck. "Hey .... W-what are y-you doing?" she asked desperately.

"Explain it to me! Why are you bringing up the past? Do you want to insult me? Or curse me?" Alex's voice was deafening.

Briony blinked in confusion, her brows knitted together. "B-bring up what? I didn't do anything."

"Don't act stupid! You think I don't know? Summer Breeze is you!" Alex revealed Briony's pen name. His grip tightened.

Briony struggled to breathe. She couldn't answer anymore. Her face grew redder, her nails scratching Alex's arms. At the same time, Alex pushed her until her back was pressed against the wall. His rough hands now locked her arms, preventing her from moving.

"Stop treating me like a fool! I know very well that Brisia is you and Xander is me. You also disguised Caroline's name as Carrie," Alex snapped.

Briony was panting. She occasionally coughed. When her oxygen levels returned to normal, she snorted cynically. "You haven't forgotten me, huh? You're still watching my every move?" she muttered, making Alex's blood boil even more.

"Your book is a bestseller from my rival company! How could I not know? You're the one who's still watching Caro and me. What's your goal, huh? Are you trying to tarnish Caro and me? Do you want to bring us down?" Alex accused her.

Briony shook her head. "Am I not allowed to write based on my own story? Yes, the initial idea for the book was about our relationship, but the rest is just my imagination. It's a made-up story."

"Is that so? A made-up story? But why is everything you wrote true? My wedding on the beach, my honeymoon in Lofoten, the apartment I gave to Caro, and even the name of my child. Could it all be a coincidence? Or are you trying to vent your envy of Caro through your cheap book?"

Briony frowned in displeasure. "Watch your mouth! My book isn't cheap. I wrote it with a lot of effort."

"The effort of stalking your ex, you mean?"

"I never stalked you!" Briony retorted, irritatedly. "Have you forgotten? You were the one who was boasting about your warm wedding, your romantic honeymoon, and your luxurious apartment. And I just found out now that you actually named your child Andrew. I should be the one asking now. Why did you use the name I chose?"

"He's my son. It's up to me what I want to name him."

"The same goes for my book. It's my own story. It's up to me to write the plot," Briony replied in the same tone. "Now let me go. I'll ...."

Briony winced. Alex had just jerked her body and pressed her even tighter against the wall.

"Do you think you can get away with it? Explain what your motive was in writing that story! You're jealous, aren't you? You hope my marriage is unhappy? That's why you're telling the story of her having an affair and our marriage being ruined?" Alex demanded.

Briony tried to break free, but failed. Alex's strength was too big. Before she could protest, Alex continued, "Just so you know, Caro and I have a happy marriage. We're on good terms. So your imagination will never come true. Even until the end of time, I will never kneel before you."

"I don't expect you to kneel before me either. Because I don't need your apology! Now let me go! It hurts," Briony pleaded, wincing.

However, Alex kept cornering her. "Not until you admit your mistake and promise to delete that damn book."

Briony's eyes widened. Her irritation was growing bigger. "Are you crazy? How could I erase the fruits of my labor?"

Alex gritted his teeth. His tone was sharp and piercing. "You refuse? You want to keep cursing Caro and me through that book?"

"Curse what? I just want to create-"

"Nonsense!" Alex snapped arrogantly. "Just admit you're jealous! I'm happy with Caro now, while you're suffering alone. If you don't delete that book-arghhh!"

Alex suddenly stepped back and bent over. His hands were covering his groin. He hadn't expected Briony to attack that spot with her knee.

Meanwhile, Briony stood tall. She was proud that she had escaped her ex's clutches. She was also satisfied to see him in pain.

"Listen to me carefully, Mr. Alexander White. I've never been jealous of your wife. I'm actually grateful she stole you from me. I'm free from toxic people like you and your mother. Now, I have my own life. If you've read my book, you should know that I have already had a lover who is much better than you. So please get out of my house and don't ever bother me again!" Briony said firmly.

Holding back the pain, Alex sneered. "You expect me to believe it? Your dream boyfriend is fictional, right?"

Briony's breath hitched. Her fists clenched. "Of course he's real. Wait until you meet him. You'll be amazed. He's so much better than you," Briony tried to sound convincing.

Alex straightened up with a sarcastic laugh. "You're still a braggart, I see. No great guy would ever want you, Briony. Besides, what's so hard about admitting you still want me?"

"I didn't want you!" Briony retorted emphatically.

"Then delete your book immediately! I don't want my wife to become the object of your readers' slander."

Briony's head jerked back again. "You're hiding behind Caro's name? Is it so hard to admit you were offended by my book? You're still a coward, apparently."

Alex took a deep breath. His shoulders began to tremble. His eyes were streaked with red. "Fine. If you don't want to do it, I'll do it," he decided.

Alex walked quickly to the table. Briony gasped when she saw her laptop open there. Before Alex could reach it, she quickly snatched it away. Unfortunately, Alex wouldn't let her get away with it. He grabbed her arm again.

"Hey, let me go! Do you want me to kick you again? Aren't you afraid Andrew won't have a sibling?" Briony threatened, her hands clutching her laptop, which was still open.

Alex didn't listen. He kept trying to grab the laptop. Until finally, a snap cracked the air. Briony's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she realized her beloved stuff had been broken in two.

"Beep Beep?" Briony called out to her laptop as if it were a living thing. Her face paled. Her eyes trembled as she scanned the keyboard in her hands and the screen in her ex's hands.

Alex also flinched. He didn't expect the old laptop to be so fragile. He secretly felt guilty. He still remembered how precious Beep Beep was to Briony.

"Alex, why did you destroy Beep Beep? It was my grandmother's legacy," Briony sighed hoarsely. Tears were on the verge of falling.

Alex cleared his throat. He returned the laptop screen to Briony. His expression now looked indifferent. "What legacy? Your late grandmother only left you money. You bought the laptop yourself," he said stiffly.

"But I bought Beep Beep with that money! In a way, Beep Beep is my grandmother's legacy. How could you destroy it?" Briony's voice grew softer and sadder.

Alex stuffed his hands in his pockets. His expression was vexed. "Don't blame me. You're the one who refused to delete your book. If you had agreed from the start, this wouldn't have happened."

Briony bit her lip. She actually didn't want to cry in front of Alex. She didn't want to be seen as weak, but her tears fell by themselves.

"Go away!" Briony pushed Alex's shoulder with all her might. "Get out of here! I don't want to see you again! You always bring trouble into my life. Go away!"

Alex moved back, his hands raised as if at gunpoint. "No need to chase me away. I don't want to stay here any longer. Remember," he pointed a finger, "delete that damned book immediately. If I still see it on the app, I won't hesitate to break something else from you."

Alex turned to leave. Briony could only stare at his back, filled with annoyance and hatred.

"He is so annoying. Why did I ever like him?" Briony grumbled, holding back tears. After a brief moment of contemplation, she looked down at her laptop.

"What should I do with Beep Beep?" she sighed resignedly. Remembering how Alex had broken it, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"I hope karma comes back to him soon," she mumbled spontaneously.

An hour later, Briony drove to Savior's office. She occasionally glanced at the seat next to her. Every time she got a glimpse of her laptop, she gripped the steering wheel tighter. Not wanting to shed any more tears, she called her cousin through the dashboard monitor connected to her phone. "Hello, Emily. Are you still at home or already at the office?"

"I'm still at home. What's up, Bri?"

"Do you know where your brother is? I called him several times, but he didn't pick up. Sky and Summer didn't either. What are they doing?"

Emily chuckled lightly. "Did you forget? They're busy taking care of their new family member. Storm's been cranky this morning for some reason. Summer told Louis not to go to work. She wants him to stay with them until his little brother calms down. Looks like it's going to be a while."

Briony sighed heavily. "That means I have to turn around. I can't wait for him in the office," she muttered faintly.

Emily sensed Briony's unease. She asked, "What's wrong, Bri?"

Briony's gaze suddenly turned dreamy. Her thoughts were scattered. She still couldn't believe what had happened to her laptop. "I'm going to ask Louis to fix Beep Beep," she replied grimly.

"What happened to Beep Beep?" Emily asked.

Suddenly, a little child ran across the street. Briony instinctively slammed on the brakes. Her tires screeched, but she was too late. By the time the car stopped, the child had disappeared from her sight.

"Oh no! Did I run him over?" Briony gasped, her eyes wide. A chill had spread throughout her body. Furthermore, people were starting to point at her car and come towards her. Her heartbeat was getting more and more erratic.

"Hello? Briony? Can you hear me? What happened? Did you hit someone? Briony?"

Briony blinked. Emily's panic had brought her back to her senses. She unbuckled her seatbelt. "I'll call you later. I have an urgent matter."

"What matter? Where are you? Let me-"

Briony ended the call. She quickly got out of the car. A middle-aged woman's voice was now clearly audible.

"Young Master? Oh my God! How could this happen? Please, hold on!" the woman said hysterically.

Briony's chest was filled with fear. She went to investigate what had happened in front of her car. When she found a young boy lying on the asphalt with his lower left arm dislocated from its joint, she gasped.

"Oh, God!" Briony gasped spontaneously. Her hand raised to cover her mouth.

Everyone turned to Briony, except for the kids. His gaze was glazed over. Perhaps he hadn't recovered from his shock. Nevertheless, a grimace appeared on his face.

"You!" The hysterical woman approached Briony with a fierce look. "Take responsibility for your negligence! If only you had been more careful, my young master wouldn't have gotten hurt!"

Briony gasped. Her eyes widened. "You're blaming me? But it was the child who suddenly ran into the street," Briony replied, without thinking.

"But it was your car that broke his arm. You have to take responsibility!" the woman insisted.

Several people around them nodded. One even said, "That's right. Whether it was intentional or not, it was your car that hit him. You'd better take that poor kid to the hospital, Miss."