"Boohoo... Simon, my skin feels like it’s been scraped raw... It hurts so much…”

"But it's fine, really. It's all my fault. Please don’t be angry or I’ll feel even worse!"

Simon hesitated briefly before finally scoffing coldly, "A woman as jealous and unreasonable as her deserves to be taught a lesson. Let her reflect on her behavior!"

After the wretched pair left, I glanced at the wedding dress still tangled in my hand and silently wiped away my tears. What a waste of my efforts.

Still, tonight was the family banquet, my first official meeting with Spencer Smith. I needed to make a good impression.

After freshening up and steadying my emotions, I headed to the underground garage.

From a distance, I spotted a car shaking.

As I got closer, I realized it was Simon’s sports car. The driver’s side window was half-open, and Simon had Carina straddling his lap. The woman’s breathy moans and the man’s muffled groans soon reached my ears.

Peering through the window, I saw the two of them entangled in the passenger seat, completely naked, a scene so indecent.

Carina’s gaze was dazed as she rocked up and down relentlessly.

Though I had long known Simon did not love me, the sight of this scene, so eerily similar to my past life, still made my heart clench involuntarily.

A moment later, Simon brushed aside Carina’s hair and kissed her deeply, his movements growing increasingly unrestrained. Carina’s breathy moans echoed through the entire garage. Before I could flee, my eyes met hers as she rode atop Simon.

Her gaze was filled with the confidence of a predator who had claimed her prey.

I lowered my lashes, turned away, and got into my car.

I stopped to pick up the gift I had prepared for Spencer, so by the time I arrived at the Smith family home, Simon and I pulled in at the same time. When he opened his car door, I caught sight of used condoms scattered across the passenger seat.

When he noticed the gift in my hands, the faint embarrassment on Simon’s face instantly twisted into smug satisfaction.

“Tch, you even bought me a gift?”

Afraid he might snatch it away, I quickly hid it behind my back. “It’s not for you!”

Simon let out a soft, mocking laugh, as if he could not be bothered to argue. He exhaled a

slow stream of smoke.

He said, “I know you saw everything in the garage.”

“And I know you’re in love with me, that’s why you’re so desperate to marry me. However, I’ve made myself clear before: I can give you the wedding, but the marriage certificate will only ever have Carina's name on it.”

"As such, it's perfectly normal for me and Carina to do these things. As for the marital home your parents provided as dowry, she'll probably stay over occasionally too. You'd better get used to it.”

"Honestly, Carina is the one making sacrifices here."

Even though I had long decided not to marry him, I never expected him to be this shamelessly brazen in front of me.

I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm and warned, "Francesca, listen carefully. If the family asks about the marriage certificate, the moment you go inside, you tell them we've already registered in private.”

"Otherwise, I can still call off the wedding before it even happens!"

With that, Simon strode ahead into the Smith family dining room.

I exhaled slowly, steadying myself.

It did not matter. Soon enough, he would find out exactly who I intended to marry.

Following the butler into the dining room, I noticed Spencer had not arrived yet, while the other elders were already seated.

I deliberately avoided Simon, choosing instead a seat that would leave space beside me for Spencer.

However, Simon frowned and stood up, moving to sit right next to me.

"Are you trying to cause trouble in front of my family? I saved you a seat, and now you’re putting on airs?"