Chapter 3
The next morning.
The shrill ringing of an alarm clock rang in the cozy bedroom. Avril struggled to emerge from her comfortable blankets. With her bleary eyes, she looked towards the window. The dazzling rays of morning sunlight were pouring into her room, penetrating through the pale golden curtains. She had to blink her beautiful eyes until she got used to it.-
"Did I get burnt out from work lately?"
Why couldn't she recall how she got home last night?
Avril reached for her phone to turn off the alarm. When she saw the words "Marriage" on the screen, she was first mildly astonished. Then, her lips curved into a sweet smile.
It had almost slipped her mind. She was supposed to get married to her fiance, Jack Normandy, at the registry today!
She felt a spark of delight. She got up from the bed and went to wash up in the bathroom. She put on some makeup, picked out a long white dress, and made a happy twirl in front of her mirror. She was going to be Jack's wife very soon! It was a long-awaited moment for her.
As she left the house, she called Jack a few times. He didn't pick up her calls.
"What's going on?" Avril was a little shocked. Didn't he promise to pick her up at 9:30 a.m. today?
"Did something go wrong?"
Avril started panicking after a long wait on the street.
"Jack, you must be well and safe!" murmured her.
She quickly hailed a taxi and rushed to Jack's place.
Jack lived in a historic little house with a vintage air about it. Outside, there was a small yard that looked a little dilapidated because of the scattered leaves brought by the autumn winds. Avril stood at the entrance, and she rang the doorbell. Upon her face, there was an unmasked look of worry.
Jack's car was still parked in the yard. Why didn't he pick her up on time? Why didn't he answer her calls?
At this moment, countless terrifying scenes were flashing in her mind.
"Creak..." The old wooden door swung open. A woman in a skimpy nightdress leaned against the door. Her curly blonde hair looked messy, and her chest was covered with red marks. Those were clearly signs from a romantic tryst earlier.
"Angie?" Avril exclaimed.
Her eyes widened in shock. Avril was in disbelief. Why was her best friend here, at her fiance's house?
What's more, she was dressed so skimpily! It was a spaghetti-strapped silky nightdress.
Could it be, that Angie and Jack...
"No, it can't be! Angie must have something she needed Jack's help for! Hence, she came here.
Coincidentally, I met her here!" Avril thought in a frenzy.
"Angie, who is it?" Jack's voice came from inside the house. It sounded a little hoarse.
Angie scoffed coldly at Avril, and her slender fingers brushed through her hair in a relaxed manner. There was a ring on her finger, and the sight of it pierced into Avril's eyes painfully.
It was the wedding ring that Jack got for her!
"Honey, I think it's better if you handle this yourself," Angie said as she turned around lazily, leaving the enchanting sight of her back to Avril.
Avril clutched her dress tightly between her fingers. She was trembling in anger. If she could not figure out what was going on, she would have been too stupid!
Angie Sorrento! Jack Normandy!
Her best friend was having an affair with her fiance! Could there be anything more ironic in this world?
Jack came out half-naked. He panicked when he saw the slim white figure at the door. "Avril? What are you doing here?" Jack asked.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.
"Jack, what's going on? Do you remember what day is it today?" Avril asked in a sorrowful voice. Her eyes were filled with pain.
Angie hugged Jack from the back, putting her head on his shoulder, and provocatively showed the diamond ring on her finger. "I know, isn't today the day both of you are supposed to get married?" "Angie!" Jack frowned and pushed Angie away. He turned around and said to Avril, "Come in here. I'll explain it to you."
"Is there a need for an explanation?" Avril dodged his hand and pointed at Angie. "This is what you have for me after three years of our relationship?" Avril angrily asked.
"I..." Jack lowered his head. "I'm sorry."
Sorry? Could an apology make up for what she had poured into this three-year relationship?
"Why must it be her? Of all the people you could have an affair with, why Angie?" Avril was enraged and asked. Angie had been her best friend for so many years. Both of them had such a profound friendship. It was Angie who got both of them together!
"It's all because you're too conservative. Jack, a man in his 20s, has been in a relationship with you for three years. Other than kissing, he hasn't had any intimacy with you. How could he stand it? You're dreaming to be his bride? How funny! Let me tell you the truth now. We have been together for more than a year. How stupid could you be to find this out like now?!" Angie sneered.
Avril's eyes widened in shock. She was so angry that she had trouble breathing.
All because she did not want to have sex before marriage, so Jack felt free to hook up with Angie?
And furthermore, it's been more than a year since the affair started?
"You both are total sc*mbags!!" Avril pointed a trembling finger at them. Anger and sadness had engulfed her.
"How dare you swear at me?" Angie raised her hand and was about to give Avril a hard slap on the face.
Avril took a step back. She shut her eyes in fear. What she expected did not happen. However, a faint yet refreshing fragrance wafted into her nostrils. It was the scent of roses in full bloom.
A stranger appeared and grabbed Angie's arm before she could strike Avril. His seductive yet lazy voice sounded, "Angie, you've betrayed me!"
It was clearly a sorrowful phrase to say. However, he said it in a nonchalant manner, like he was just describing someone else's story.
Avril slowly opened her eyes. She saw a tall, handsome figure. But somehow, she felt this figure seemed a little familiar...