"I got it. You’re saying this because you don’t want to cause trouble for the store, right?"
"That’s just like you… always so considerate."
He fixed my collar with a distressed look on his face but was stunned when he raised his head.
"Lily, after the party, go and have this mole removed."
I was stunned. For a moment, I thought I had misheard him.
Simon noticed my confusion.
He spoke again, "There’s a new troublemaker in the office lately. She has a mole right in the same place as yours. Every time I see it, I think of her."
"I already have enough headaches at work, Lily. I don’t want to be reminded of those things once I get home. So, get rid of it."
He explained carefully.
Afraid that I would not believe him, Simon went on to emphasize the so-called misfortunes that had befallen Serena Yates.
His words were as nauseating as they were ridiculous.
Yet, when he mentioned her, the affection in his eyes poured out without restraint.
My heart twisted painfully.
I could not help but think back to when we first met. Simon once told me that he had dreamed of a beautiful woman with a mole under her eye.
That was why, when he saw me, he chased after me so desperately.
And when we finally became a couple, we even went to a tattoo shop together to ink matching tear moles onto our skin.
But now, for the sake of another woman, he wanted me to remove this mole.
Simon continued his explanation nonchalantly.
I did not want to hear it anymore. Not the excuses, not the sweet stories he tried to downplay.
Before he could finish his sentence, I cut him off with a cold "Okay."
I was going to die soon, after all. What difference did a mole make?
Even if he asked me to give up my status as Mrs. Pierce right at this moment, I would probably agree without hesitation.
***
The birthday party was packed and the venue was bustling with people. As soon as we entered the venue, Simon was called away by a phone call.
Surrounded by strangers, I could not help but feel a little anxious.
"Hey, where did this beauty come from? Did she lose her way after being abandoned by her sugar daddy?"
Looking back, I saw a man wearing a gold chain looking at me with vulgar amusement in his eyes. At first glance, they look like a group of men belonging to the entertainment industry.
In his eyes, I was just another woman clinging to a sugar daddy.
"I am the wife of the CEO of the Pierce Group, not some cheap woman. Stay away from me!" I lifted my hand to show them the diamond ring on my finger, as I explained to them.
After saying that, I turned, hoping to leave this spot quickly.
However, the man leaned over as his gaze fell on the diamond ring in my hand. Suddenly, he let out a mocking laugh.
"Beautiful, why don’t you at least prepare a better lie before you speak?"
"Simon Pierce is the big boss of a top-tier company and you? Look at that rock on your finger. It’s bigger than my whole nose! And you’ve got the audacity to call yourself Mr. Pierce’s wife?"
"Everyone here is just looking to sell. If you don’t have a sponsor, you’re finished. But don’t worry, there are plenty of big shots here who’ll take a liking to someone like you… young, tender and still fresh!"
Before I could react, he reached for my wrist, yanking me forward as though to drag me into the shadows.
"Are you out of your mind? I am Mr. Pierce’s wife!"
"Don’t you dare treat me like this? He’ll never let you go once he gets back!"
I writhed and pulled, but my strength was no match for his, so I could not resist him.
The man’s face darkened with irritation. His free hand landed a slap across my cheek. "Mr. Pierce? He’s so affectionate with his wife, isn’t he? If you’re Mrs. Pierce, then who’s that?"
Still gripping me tightly, he turned my head toward the banquet hall.
In the banquet hall full of people, Simon wrapped his arms intimately around Serena’s waist. Holding a champagne glass, he walked through the sea of influential figures in the hall.
They looked every bit like a young married couple.
My eyes widened in disbelief.
Only then did I realize who called Simon away from me.
"Do you see now? That is Mr. Pierce’s real wife."
