After Joyce belittled the little black snake and said I was just like her pet dog, I looked at her with eyes that no longer held the same tolerance and affection.

My love was meant for a woman who deserved it.

I coldly stared at her and the group of friends she had brought along.

"This is my home. Please leave now."

Joyce was taken aback, her eyes wide with shock as a sharp voice squeezed out from her throat.

"Colten, what do you mean by that?"

"I mean for you all to get lost."

I didn't bother looking at her as I picked up the plate full of snake flesh.

Upon seeing the little black snake, unrecognizable and lying on the plate, I felt a wave of sadness spread across my face.

Joyce glanced at me but thought I was just pretending.

She resumed her usual arrogant demeanor, crossing her arms and standing beside me, waiting for me to soften and coax her.

"Colten, what I said just now was a bit hurtful, but it was only because you insulted Grayson first. I said that on purpose to vent to him.

"How about this? You apologize to Grayson, and I'll help you make amends so he will forgive you.

"As for what you owe me for hitting me, we can settle that afterward."

Look at how self-righteous she sounded.

It was as if, in her eyes, I was the one causing trouble, while she and Grayson were the innocent victims.

I looked at Joyce coldly. "Can you not understand my words?

"Then listen carefully.

"Joyce, I'm calling off our engagement. I'm not marrying you!"

After that, I walked past her, and she didn't react quickly enough to step aside, so my shoulder hit hers hard.

Joyce cried out in pain and noticed that I didn't stop.

At that moment, she finally realized I was serious.

Joyce started to panic and quickly grabbed my arm.

"Colten, is it really worth it to gamble our marriage on a whim? We're not kids anymore. How can we treat marriage like a joke?

"It's just a snake! I can just buy you another one from the pet market!"

I looked at the woman I had cherished and protected for three years, suddenly feeling so tired, so weary.

For three years, Joyce wasn't unaware of my father's death.

When I was young, my mom divorced my dad and moved far away, and I never saw him again.

My dad had to be both mother and father, raising me all alone.

When I graduated from college and wanted to start a business, my dad didn't pour cold water on my dreams like other parents. Instead, he patted my shoulder and looked at me with encouragement.

"If you want to do it, I'll support you with all my efforts."

But he wasn't a big shot. He was just an ordinary snake farmer.

He spent his life dealing with snakes, and the best way he could think to support me was to wake up early and work hard at the market, promoting the snakes he raised.

I saw it, felt the pain in my heart, and vowed to make something of myself.

Later, when my company finally got a big order, I was overjoyed and rushed home to share the news with him, only to see our old house engulfed in thick black smoke.

It was reduced to ruins, and everything inside was gone.

That day, I experienced both great joy and profound sorrow.

I finally succeeded in my career, but my father was gone.

When I felt utterly hopeless, the little black snake crawled out from the grass at my feet.

It had escaped from home while playing and had avoided the disaster.

I wept as I held it tightly in my arms.

At that time, Joyce and I had just started dating. I didn't dare to tell her about my background, fearing that my impoverished past would earn her disdain.

But that day, unable to contain my pain, I revealed everything to her.

I thought she would break up with me, but instead, when she heard my story, her eyes turned red as she embraced me and softly promised to stand by my side for life.

At that moment, my eyes welled with tears, and I swore to myself.

I would treat Joyce well for the rest of my life.

Little did I expect that in just three years, she would change her heart.

…

I still had many wedding invitations I had painstakingly made in my bag, and at that moment, I took them all out and threw them into the trash can.

Joyce's expression changed dramatically when she sensed my silence.

Finally, she gritted her teeth and grabbed my arm.

"Colten, you said you would treat me well for the rest of your life. Have you forgotten it?"

Her petite figure stood before me, and I looked down just to see her pouting lips and reddened eyes.

Normally, I would have softened at this sight.

But now, I felt completely exhausted, as if all my love for her had been drained away in the chaos.

I tugged slightly and pulled my sleeve free from her grip.

"Joyce, you said the same thing to me.

"But how have you treated me? You stewed the little black snake my dad left for the sake of Grayson. That's how you treat me?

"And since Grayson returned from abroad, what have you and he been up to behind my back this past six months? Do you think I know nothing about it?"

Joyce's body stiffened instantly as she looked up at me in disbelief.

"Colten, did you have someone investigate me?

"I'm your fiancee, but you don't trust me?"

Facing her question, I gave her a disappointed glance and let out a cold laugh.

"Joyce, you paid for everything you bought for Grayson with my card, and the bank notifications are all coming to my phone. Do I still need to investigate you specifically?"

For three years, fueled by Joyce's promise to treat me well for life, I had worked so hard in business to provide her with the best life.

Joyce hadn't worked for three years. I had pampered her at home, and her days were filled with shopping and dining with friends.

Completely out of touch with reality, she had even forgotten about bank transaction notifications.

When I exposed her in public, her expression darkened.

"Grayson used to treat me well. He just returned and needs money in all aspects. I just wanted to help him. It's not what you think!"

I scoffed, "Does he have a hard time? Is it harder than what I went through?"

Joyce's lips moved, but she couldn't utter a word for a long time.

She finally felt a hint of guilt, her eyes filled with regret and shock, and a trace of subtle concern.

I was taken aback.

How long had it been since I had seen concern in Joyce's eyes?

Ever since Grayson returned six months ago, Joyce had changed completely, chasing after him all the time.

She insisted she no longer loved Grayson and only wanted to make up for past regrets.

But her eyes exposed her.

She could fool me with words, but her eyes betrayed her.

I had tried to be magnanimous, pretending not to notice her intense feelings, thinking she would return home once she grew tired.

But what did I get in return?

She had gone too far.

At first, she would just cling to my arm and tell me to go out with friends. Later, she would just leave home without a word, showing me cold indifference.

When I returned home, no prepared meals were waiting for me.

Only unwashed pots and dishes remained, and a messy pile of clothes scattered across the bed.

Joyce must have spent a long time picking out which dress to wear to meet Grayson.

After cleaning up, I hastily cooked something for myself and devoured it in a few bites.

Countless nights, I sat in the living room smoking until dawn, never hearing the sound of the door opening.

Touching my empty and aching stomach, I quickly showered, downed a cup of coffee, and dove back into work.

With a painful heart, I smiled bitterly.

I realized I remembered every little thing from the past six months clearly.

"Joyce, it's over."

…

Joyce wanted to say something else, but Grayson, who had rushed over, grabbed her arm.

He coughed weakly several times, and Joyce immediately shifted her gaze from me to him.

Even though I expected it in my heart, I still felt heartbroken when I saw her choose Grayson without hesitation.

I moved aside and carefully placed the little black snake in a plastic bag, planning to dig a hole in the backyard to bury it.

As I passed them, Grayson suddenly started coughing violently, his face turning pale.

Joyce hurriedly handed a handkerchief to him, gently patting his back.

Once his coughing subsided, Grayson casually glanced at the bag in my hand before turning away.

Joyce, always observant, picked up on this and quickly asked.

"Grayson, what's wrong?"

Grayson opened his mouth as if to say something, but then stopped, shaking his head regretfully.

"Nothing. I just suddenly remembered the doctor told me to take good care of my health, or I would suffer later.

"Unfortunately, I haven't found any decent supplements in over half a month…"

My previously calmed anger flared up again with his words.

But Joyce pretended not to see my furious expression and turned to me hopefully.

"Colten, why don't you just give the meat back to Grayson? He's in poor health, and he can't wait any longer.

"I've apologized to you, and I won't hold the slap you gave me against you. Just give me the meat. Once Grayson recovers, I promise we'll live a happy life again."

My fists clenched tightly.

"Joyce, can't you understand me?

"I told you to get out. Bitches and dogs are not welcome here."

Joyce's face instantly changed, and she looked up at me, her eyes full of anger.

"Colten, how far do you intend to take this?

"It's my fault for not discussing it with you beforehand, but it's just a snake. So what if it was your dad's keepsake?

"It's just a snake, a soulless beast.

"It's not your dad!"

I was completely enraged by Joyce and grabbed her hair, slapping her several times until her face turned red and swollen before letting go.

Joyce covered her face, tears streaming down her cheeks as she cried out.

"Colten, how dare you hit me?

"I'm your fiancee! Do you still want to marry me?"