Crushed by the weight of her emotions, she begged Adrian to take her abroad for one final ski trip, a silent goodbye to the world.
Upon returning to China, she retreated into the bathroom and with trembling hands and a broken heart, she slit her wrists. The silence that followed was her final act an end written in blood and sorrow.
Seeing my long silence, Adrian narrowed his eyes in displeasure.
“Angelica, aren’t you going to apologize to Sabrina?”
I calmly countered, “Why should I?”
He couldn't bear society’s judgment and had proposed to me on his own. So why should I be the one to pay the price?
Adrian’s gaze turned sharp. He grabbed a steak knife from the table and slashed the engagement cake in two.
Leaning close to my ear, he whispered coldly, “Think about your parents’ company. Don’t bring trouble on yourself.”
The splattered cream stained my dress, ruining my poise and dignity.
But I couldn’t get angry.
I knew all too well what it meant to cross Adrian, his methods were ruthless.
In the end, I had to clench my fists and force out an apology through gritted teeth.
A glint of smugness flickered across Sabrina’s eyes. She spoke sweetly, “It’s my fault. I rely too much on uncle Adrian. I got emotional and worried everyone.”
“But now that I know how much he cares about me, I won’t do anything silly again.”
Adrian patted her head affectionately, then shot me a cold warning, “Angelica, I hate people who play petty tricks behind others’ backs.”
“As punishment for provoking Sabrina, the engagement is canceled. The wedding is postponed indefinitely.”
A bitter smile tugged at my lips. So, he still wanted me to be his nominal wife?
I was just about to reject the engagement outright,
But Adrian turned and walked away with Sabrina without giving me a second glance.
My father’s face was livid with rage, too furious to speak.
I took a deep breath and made a decision.
“Mom, Dad, right now we need this marriage alliance to stabilize our company. The wedding will go on as planned.”
My mother looked at me in disbelief.
“Sweetheart, do you really love Adrian that much?”
I shook my head. Another name surfaced in my mind.
In my past life, after I died, only one person came to my funeral.
But his tears were more genuine than anyone’s.
I dialed a familiar international number.
“Hey, I’m getting married in two weeks. I need a groom. Want to help me out?”
The man’s breathing suddenly quickened, but he still tried to sound casual.
“Angelica, today isn’t April Fools’ Day, you know.”
I didn’t say a word.
Sure enough, within seconds, as if afraid I’d hang up, he quickly agreed.
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
In order to make up for past regrets, Adrian now showered Sabrina with everything.
He bought her a pink diamond necklace worth ten million dollars.
On her birthday, he rented out an entire amusement park and lit up the sky with fireworks.
Everyone said that Sabrina was his most precious darling.
So, this was what it looked like when the ever-composed and mature Adrian truly loved someone. Just like a foolish young man eager to show her off to the world.
But I didn’t have time to care.
To pay off the debts, I sold my paintings under the pseudonym “X.”
Within a few days, the gallery director called and said a wealthy patron had taken an interest in my work.
I never expected that person to be Adrian.
Sabrina had attended an art event and casually praised one of my pieces. Adrian wanted to buy them all on the spot.
He was a neat freak.
In my past life, whenever he saw paint stains on my clothes, he’d instinctively pinch his nose and keep his distance.
Eventually, I gave up painting for good.
Now, he only smiled as Sabrina messed around.
Even when she smeared his expensive suit with paint, he didn’t mind.
I hesitated but agreed, desperate for money.
Soon after, Sabrina posted one of my paintings on social media.
A fan asked, “Sabrina, are you the genius anonymous painter “X”?
