From Blind Love to Self Love

Halfway through the marriage registration process, Gary's delicate, irreplaceable first love sent a photo of herself tried to commit suicide by smashed her head into a wall.

Without a word, he abandoned me and went to get the certificate with his first love, then flew abroad for a honeymoon. That very night, her social media was updated with a floor littered with used condoms.

Gary's message followed shortly after: [Even though I got the marriage certificate with Mariska, she's still willing to let you be the mistress. You should learn to be as generous and understanding as her. Don't be ungrateful.]

[You know you can't live without me. Once your dad's entire estate is transferred to me, I'll take one day a week to visit you.]

[Mariska is afraid of pain. So, any children you give birth to will belong to her. After all, she's the main wife and you're just the side piece. If you want to keep my heart, you need to be sensible.]

I laughed. As the only daughter of the most powerful family among the four major clans in North England, whoever married me would gain the right to all my family's assets.

What Gary didn't know was, the moment he left me, I already changed my marriage partner.

——

A month later, I met Gary again at a private charity auction. He held Mariska by the waist, let her sit on his lap, kissed her wantonly in public.

The teasing cheers at the venue turned into mockery the moment I arrived, "Oh wow, Gary, your little simp finally couldn't hold back and came looking for you."

"Miss Parker, not bad this time. You broke your endurance record. It's been a whole month, huh? You must be missed Gary like crazy, didn't you?"

Gary casually lifted his head from Mariska's neck, arched a mocking brow, "Rose, am I being too kind to you? Don't you know what kind of trash you are? Playing hard to get with me? You think you're worthy? If you've got guts, don't come crawling back. You can't even be a decent simp, you're so disgusting."

During the five years I was with Gary, I'd heard words like these, seen expressions like that, countless times.

Back then, I was all about him, every time he belittled me in public, my eyes would redden with sadness, but I wouldn't dare cry in front of him for fear of making him angry.

Later, I'd bury my head under the blanket, cried into the pillow, blamed myself over and over, afraid he'd hate me.

But now, I just calmly replied, "I'm not here for you."

Gary didn't expect that attitude and thought I was still playing coy. He kicked away the chair in front of me and sneered, "Still pretending, huh? Stand right here. Later, whatever Mariska likes, you better make a bid on it all. If she's happy, I'll consider forgiving you."

"Gary," Mariska nestled into his arms, pouted sweetly, "I don't want anything bought with her filthy money. A spoiled heiress like her only knows how to flaunt and spend her parents' money. Who knows if it's even clean money. I want to buy what I like with my own ability."

Gary pinched her puffed cheeks with affection. "Yes, yes, my Mariska is a strong and independent woman. How could someone like her, a useless freeloader who only knows how to live off her family, ever compare?"

He said again, "It's Rose who insists on buying me stuff. You know how cheap she is. She can't live without licking my boots or spending on me. Just see it as helping her cure her pathetic nature."

Mariska giggled and reluctantly nodded. Then she looked up at me with disdain in her eyes, "Rose, no offense, but you're supposed to be a well-bred lady. Why are you clinging like a piece of duct tape? A real woman should be like me, independent and strong. You can't rely on men for everything. Otherwise, what's the difference between you and rotting apple?"

I lowered my eyes to her custom dress worth millions and gave a light smile.

The daughter of a housemaid, dared to lecture me, the only daughter of the wealthiest man in North England, about independence and strength?