Chapter 6

After I got home that day, I received many texts and calls. Most of the texts were screenshots of Jenna's Instagram post. In the photo, Jenna's engagement ring took center stage. I tapped out of my social media apps without replying to anyone. I did not pick up any calls either. I placed an ice pack on my swollen cheek. When I returned to bed, I saw a bank transfer notification. Puzzled, I checked the notification and was immediately stunned by the amount of zeros in that figure. Before I could wrap my head around it, a call came in. I had saved that number as "Mr. Fullman" on my phone. The caller ID flashed on my screen. This was Felix's first time calling me after we agreed on the marriage. My heart pumped wildly. I had to take a few deep breaths before picking up. "Ms. Rowland, have you received the money?" "I did. But Mr. Fullman, you have sent me gifts for the wedding…" I whispered to him. It was a gentle reminder about a possible blunder by his associates. "Those gifts are for your family. The money, however, is for you." Clutching my phone, I spaced out for a while. Finally, I replied, "Mr. Fullman, you didn't have to. I was engaged once prior to our marriage, and I don't exactly have a stellar reputation—" "It's fine." His voice sounded extremely deep and melodious, yet powerfully soothing. I recalled the rumors about him being a harsh and merciless man with a mercurial temper. But I couldn't find any hint of these descriptions from his tone. "Like you said, it's in the past. Ms. Rowland, put it behind you. You're about to move to Porthaven City. Spend that money on whatever you like, and bring them with you." My eyes brimmed with hot tears. I smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Fullman." … Felix had given out directives to keep our marriage an absolute secret. The Fullmans had sent a team to Camden City to pick me up. With them around, my family dared not do anything out of line. Hence, no one in Camden City knew I was about to get married and move to Porthaven City. Three days before my departure, I had packed all my belongings. I looked at the exquisite jewelry collection on my dresser and the empty and yellowed coupon card. The chest was from Brandon, and the empty coupon card was a thank-you gift from him when he was 12. Of course, he would have forgotten about that by now. I had once thought of writing my wish on that coupon card—wishing that we would get married. In the end, I refused to gamble away my life on a jerk like Brandon. Without a doubt, I had to return the jewelry chest because of its expensive contents. The coupon card had his personal signature on it, and I didn't want it to fall into anyone's hands. I carefully packed up both items and called Brandon's personal assistant, Evan Fields. I told Evan, "These are really expensive items. Please hand them to Brandon in person." Behind Evan's polite demeanor was his thinly-veiled annoyance after I reminded him a few times. "Ms. Rowland, please don't bother. Mr. Price is soon to be engaged. You should part ways amicably." Evan thought I was pulling some tricks to get back with Brandon. I tried to explain myself, but he clearly didn't want to humor me anymore. He carelessly tossed the cardboard box into the trunk, got into the car, and drove off.