Lure of His Kiss

In the third year of my engagement to Ethan Carter, he cheated on me with my best friend.

He openly flaunted his new girlfriend in our social circle, repeatedly allowing the mistress to provoke me, turning me, his childhood sweetheart, into a complete laughingstock.

Ethan was certain I wouldn't dare make a fuss and that I would tolerate him, until my new man handed Ethan a wedding invitation, followed by a post showing off our marriage certificate.

When Ethan knelt to apologize and beg for forgiveness at my wedding, I looked down on him coldly, my arm linked with that of a wealthy heir.

Just having a relationship with someone like you is humiliating.

1

When I stormed into the bar, filled with rage, I saw my university roommate and long-time best friend, Sophia Collins, in the arms of my boyfriend, Ethan.

Sophia was dressed beautifully, seductively, and was tilting Ethan's chin, leaning in for a kiss.

If it weren't for a friend who happened to see them and tipped me off, I might never have found out about his affair.

I clenched my fists tightly, unable to describe the shock that hit me in that moment, my heart feeling as though it had been squeezed.

We were childhood sweethearts, we grew up together, and we got engaged as soon as we graduated.

I always kept my distance from other men, but Ethan cheated on me with my best friend.

How laughable.

They kissed passionately, Ethan's voice drifting over.

Don't worry. I'm just playing around with Olivia. No one else but you can be Mrs. Carter.

It was truly disgusting.

Furrowing my brows, I suddenly stepped forward, grabbed the cake from the table, and said, "Happy birthday, Sophia."

Before anyone could react, I smashed the cake right into Sophia's face.

Ah! She screamed, her whole face covered like a plaster statue.

Ethan was momentarily shocked, but instead of looking embarrassed at being caught, he glared at me with a dark expression, shielding Sophia.

Olivia, are you crazy? What's wrong with you?

I wouldn't allow a scumbag like him to trample on my pride.

Right in front of Ethan's close friends, I yanked Ethan's hair and slapped him hard across the face several times, sneering.

You're the one who made promises to me, you're the one who knelt to propose, and now you're the one who's cheating with someone else. Ethan, you're such a disgrace, aren't you?

Ethan was stunned by the slaps, taking a moment to recover before he angrily ordered someone to pull me away.

His face was red with slap marks, and he looked at me with such fury, almost grinding his teeth.

What are you losing your mind over? Which rich guy doesn't have a few women around? Do you expect me to only focus on you?

He pulled Sophia close.

I'm engaged to you, yes, but we're not married yet. What's wrong with me having a little fun?

I could even see the smugness in Sophia's eyes.

Sophia grew up in a poor family. After her parents divorced, she was left with her abusive father, and her mother paid her no attention. She had a very unfortunate childhood.

Back then, I saw how weak and pitiful Sophia looked, and when she tearfully recounted her struggles to finish school and get into college, my sympathy for her grew.

So, during the college years, I took extra care of Sophia, and after graduation, I even helped her land a prestigious job that most people would fight tooth and nail for.

This was how she repaid me.

I glanced at Sophia, then grabbed Ethan's shirt with my other hand.

Cheating and you still think you're in the right? You went behind my back and made it public in our circle. Do you enjoy sneaking around?

I noticed Ethan still showed no signs of regret or embarrassment. At most, he seemed a bit angry at being humiliated.

His friends stepped in to persuade me again.

Olivia, Ethan was just fooling around. In the end, he's definitely going to marry you.

Yeah, we all know how deep your relationship goes.

As soon as they finished speaking, I saw Sophia shed a few well-timed tears and burrow into Ethan's arms, crying pitifully.

Will you really marry her?

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Is the mistress feeling wronged now?"

The next moment, Ethan moved to completely shield Sophia and glared at me coldly.

I stepped to the side, raised my hand without warning, and slapped Sophia hard across her pitiful face.

Ethan hadn't expected it and didn't have time to protect Sophia.

I chuckled lightly.

I treated you like a best friend, giving you the best food, the best drinks, and showering you with gifts worth tens of thousands on holidays. And this is how you repay me? By crawling into my fiancé's bed? I have records of every transfer I made to you, and all the gifts are accounted for. If you don't pay back the full amount within three days, we'll see each other in court.

After saying that, I didn't even look at the pair of scumbags. I grabbed a few tissues and wiped the cream off my hands in disgust.

The crowd automatically parted to make way for me, and behind me, I could hear Ethan's furious shouts.

Get the hell out of here and stay gone. Don't come crawling back to beg for reconciliation.

I heard every word. So the first thing I did after walking out was call Ethan's mother.

Ethan was born when his mother was older, and now she was quite aged and widowed.

She had been eager for a grandchild for a long time and had always pushed for this marriage.

The phone connected quickly. I leaned against a wall for support, my voice trembling as I told her everything that had just happened.

Away from the crowd, I fought to hold back my tears.

I had imagined countless times what it would be like to marry Ethan, to have children and build our own family. But reality hit me like a ton of bricks.

After a long pause, I didn't hear the gentle, comforting words I expected. Instead, Ethan's mother's voice was faint and vague.

I know, Olivia. I'll handle this. Don't overthink it, and don't make a fuss with Ethan. You two need to get married this year.

I was stunned. What? She thought I was making a fuss?

I froze in disbelief, staring at my phone.

She just found out that her son had a mistress, and that was her reaction? It was clear now. Ethan's mother had known about Sophia all along.

I laughed bitterly and hung up, immediately blocking her number.

Get married? Keep dreaming!

On my way back, I called my parents. I kept it brief with just six words. "I want to cancel the engagement."

There was a moment of silence on the other end before my mom carefully asked, "Sweetheart, what happened?"

I bit my lip, too afraid to speak, worried that they'd be hurt.

I was their only daughter, and my parents had never let me suffer even the slightest grievance. They had also been delaying the wedding, insisting on waiting until I turned twenty-five.

When I felt tears welling up, my father took over the call and agreed swiftly.

Alright. Leave it to us.

After leaving, I didn't go home. Instead, I slipped into a bar in the alley downstairs.

The owner knew me and stayed to drink with me for a while. When he went to get more drinks, I stumbled my way to the restroom.

I was leaning against the cold wall, trying to steady myself, when someone passed by and knocked into me hard.

Suddenly, I felt a strong hand pull me up, and I fell into a cool embrace.

This person brushed aside the damp hair on my forehead and spoke in a low voice.

When did the arrogant Miss Bennett fall so low?

The voice was so familiar.

It sounded like Alexander Pierce, my mom's favorite student.

When Alexander saw that I wasn't responding, his soft fingertips gently wiped the tears from the corner of my eye.

I instinctively grabbed his wrist.

My first thought was how solid and strong his grip felt, veins bulging slightly.

With my other hand, I wrapped my arm around his waist. In the dim light, I smiled faintly.

How about coming back to my place tonight?

There was no need to say things so bluntly between adults. He knew exactly what I meant.

The bedroom door closed, and Alexander pinned my hands, pressing me against the door as he kissed me deeply.

His warm breath trailed down my neck, gently nibbling on my earlobe, sending a shiver through me.

I couldn't hold back any longer and reached out to unbutton his shirt.

His response was an even more passionate kiss.

The sex went on without pause, and by dawn, the sudden rain had stopped.

I lay on my side, eyes closed, exhausted and drenched in sweat, my entire body sore and weak.

It was exhilarating, truly satisfying.

Alexander slowly pulled away, patting my shoulder, his voice soft.

Get some sleep. I'll go make breakfast.

He left, and even after a long while, I was still in a daze.

I wasn't very familiar with Alexander. He was my mom's most outstanding Ph.D. student from a few years back, and I'd heard that he'd achieved some success with his own business.

Our few encounters were mostly when he was invited over to our house as a guest.

I didn't even know what industry his family was in, or what exactly he was doing now.

It started pouring outside, and I pulled the covers over my head, my thoughts in a mess.

I faintly heard the doorbell ring.

Not long after, Alexander came back into the bedroom wearing an apron.

Ethan is outside knocking on your door, Alexander said, staring at me without any expression.

I yawned, turned over, picked up my phone, unlocked it, and handed it to Alexander.

Call security and the police.

When Alexander took the phone from my hand, I thought I saw the corner of his mouth lift slightly.

Was he in a good mood? That couldn't be right.

As Ethan was being dragged away, I was happily eating my breakfast, listening to his hysterical shouting.

Olivia, is this your way of forcing me to marry you sooner? Fine, I'll agree. I've already shown enough sincerity. You won't even give me a way out? Wait, who called the cops?

Ethan got taken away.

I stretched lazily, finished my meal, watched Alexander head off to work, and then went back to bed, still in a good mood.

I held a minor supervisory position at Ethan's family company, and that afternoon, I submitted my resignation. On my way back, I happened to bump into Alexander.

Alexander was just getting off work. He was carrying a bunch of fresh groceries, coming out of the subway station, and ran over to me when he saw me.

After I opened the door for him, he went straight into the kitchen.

I took another shower, and when I came out, the food was already prepared and neatly laid out.

I enjoyed the meal without a second thought, and as I lay sprawled out on the chair, fully satisfied, Alexander finally spoke up.

Ethan's harassment isn't going to stop here. I have a good suggestion.

I frowned. "What is it?"

Marry me.

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in surprise at Alexander.

Before I could say anything, he set down his fork and said seriously, "My parents were strict in raising me. They always told me that a man must have a sense of responsibility. I cannot let my teacher's daughter down. Your mother knows my character well, and in just a few short years, it'll be hard to find another suitor who satisfies your parents as much as I do."

I lowered my eyes, weighing the pros and cons.

Seeing that I didn't respond, Alexander sighed and got straight to the point.

I'll be honest. I don't want to work hard. I'm very family-oriented, so you'll basically have a live-in servant.

I couldn't help but twitch the corner of my mouth.

Marrying for money wasn't a bad deal. At least the goal was clear. With a prenuptial agreement, he wouldn't be able to stir up any trouble.

After a moment, I held out my hand to him.

Then I look forward to our cooperation.

The next morning, Alexander and I walked out of the civil hall with our marriage certificate.

I looked it over carefully, my heart pounding like a drum.

Did we really get married just like that? Would my mom be upset that her prized daughter got taken away so easily?

Alexander leaned in close and asked in a low voice, "I have a ten-day honeymoon leave. Where would you like to go?"

After a moment, I handed him my phone and smiled up at him.

I don't want to go anywhere. I'd rather stay at home.

There was only one bed at home, and how we spent that time was up to me.