###Chapter 3
When I was born, my parents arranged an engagement between me and Luciel Calderon.
But when I grew up, I chose Darren instead. We couldn’t stand each other at first. Somehow, I believed that tension turned into love.
How ridiculous.
On the phone, Luciel’s voice was low, with a hint of teasing. “An arranged marriage? The Solmere family has already fallen, Vexia. What exactly do I gain from marrying you?”
“Then forget it.”
I was about to hang up when he muttered a curse. “You’re still as stubborn as ever. If you just softened your tone and said ‘Please, Luciel,’ would that really hurt you?”
He paused, then his teasing tone was gone. “I can marry you. But what about Darren? Is he going to let you walk away?”
Darren? He probably couldn’t wait for me to disappear, so he could give Riley the legal status as his wife.
My nose felt sore, but I held back my tears and told him about my father and my child.
“He’s got some nerve.” Luciel’s voice suddenly turned cold, then softened again a moment later. “Vexia, I’m coming to get you right now.”
“Give me six days,” I said quietly. “There are things I need to finish.”
“…Alright. In six days, I’ll come marry you.”
After the call ended, the weight on my chest eased slightly.
I took a taxi back to my parents’ house to pack my father’s belongings. When I opened the drawer he used most often, my vision blurred with tears.
Inside were two diamond necklaces. My father had prepared them as wedding gifts.
One for me.
And one for Riley.
But what right did she have to receive his love?
I picked up the necklace meant for her, ready to throw it away. But suddenly, a hand grabbed it from behind.
“Ah!”
Riley cried out. The necklace fell to the floor and the diamonds scattered everywhere.
I froze.
Darren rushed in. The moment he saw the thin line of blood on Riley’s finger, his expression changed.
“Riley!”
She held her own hand and trembled as she cried. “Vexia… since we were little, you’ve always wanted to take everything from me. Even the last thing your father left for me… you won’t let me have it? You even scratched me with the necklace…”
Looking at the broken diamonds on the floor, Darren frowned. He grabbed my necklace and put it into Riley’s hand.
But the one who always took everything… was her.
Even Darren.
I liked him first. The day after I told her about my feelings, I saw them kissing beside the basketball court.
Well, I could let Darren go. But that necklace was the last gift my father ever prepared for me.
“Give it back!”
I rushed toward Riley. That was when Darren noticed the blood soaking through my clothes. It had spread more than before.
“Vexia, you…”
“Because you lost your baby, you want to take mine too?” Riley suddenly cried, clutching her stomach. “How can you be this cruel?”
The small flicker of doubt in Darren’s eyes disappeared instantly.
“That’s enough. Losing the baby is punishment enough for you. You don’t deserve this necklace either.”
“Please… that was the last thing my dad left me…”
I begged him while crying. But he put the necklace around Riley’s neck.
“Take care of yourself.”
After saying that, he left with Riley, who was secretly smiling. He didn’t even look back.
I watched his back as he walked away. I felt so numb that I couldn’t even feel pain anymore.
After getting my wound treated again at a small clinic, I went home and started packing all the gifts Darren had given me over the past four years.
My hand paused at a locked drawer.
I tried Riley’s birthday as the password. And it opened.
Inside were dozens of pink lace nightgowns, more than ten pairs of custom Balenciaga high heels and a row of Chanel perfumes. They were exactly the same as the ones he had given me.
Only then did I understand. Every gift he chose for me was based on her taste. And every gift had a copy for her too.
For the past four years, he had never forgotten her.
I closed my eyes and forced my tears back. Then I reached under the bed and pulled out a document I had hidden for ten years. The kidney donation agreement.
Back then, the boy I loved collapsed during a basketball game. His kidney was severely damaged and his life was at risk.
It was me who secretly lay on the operating table and gave him my kidney.
The scar still ached on rainy days.
So, why did he believe Riley was the one who saved him?
I placed the agreement inside his safe.
Darren, this is the second gift I’m giving you. When you see it, what kind of face will you make?
I packed up all the gifts and arranged for them to be donated.
When the truck drove away at the end of the street, it felt like the last thread between us disappeared too.
Darren stepped into the house. He looked at the now empty rooms and frowned slightly.
“What did you just throw away?”
