Chapter 2

"Tsk tsk, I'm actually tempted. How does that saying go? Nothing beats dumplings for food, and nothing beats..."

"Getting Hayden's wife for $9.99, what a bargain!"

"Shut up!" Hayden kicked the speaker.

"Who says the woman you marry is the one you love most? Watch your mouth."

He gazed deeply at Chloe Parker.

They exchanged a knowing smile.

"How can the woman you love compare to the one you settle for? An unloved wife can be shared freely, but the apple of my eye is off-limits!"

Witnessing this scene, I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging into my palms, my heart twisting in pain.

I could be hung up online for cheap auction, to be toyed with and insulted.

But his beloved couldn't even be mentioned by others.

I used to think Hayden loved me. Why else would he fight his family and defy everyone to marry me?

Only now did I understand the difference between love and indifference.

"Hey, why don't we call Amelia over? It'll be fun if we're all together!"

"I've got something good here. One sip and she won't even recognize her own mother. Let's do a live stream, and use the tips to buy Chloe a bag. What do you say?"

The group eagerly discussed how to torment me to appease Hayden's childhood sweetheart.

Hayden remained silent throughout.

My heart felt like it was being torn apart. I instinctively looked at him, wanting to know how he would react.

Hayden's childhood sweetheart Chloe interrupted everyone, saying reluctantly:

"Come on, guys, stop it. Even though I caught a cold from waiting, she's still Hayden's wife. She's not wrong for wanting to assert her position."

"It's okay if I suffer a little, but if you do this, Hayden will be angry."

Chloe wiped away a tear as she spoke.

Hayden's remaining hesitation vanished instantly.

He hugged Chloe comfortingly.

"We could have registered any day! She clearly made you catch a cold on purpose!"

"Keep talking. Whoever can get revenge for Chloe gets the downtown project!"

Hayden's words were like a drop of water in a hot pan.

"I've got the livestream camera ready. Let's give her a wedding night she'll never forget!"

"Yeah, it's not like anyone's going to buy her anyway. Might as well let the boys have some fun and get back at Chloe!"

"Hayden's not saying anything. Don't tell me you're having second thoughts?"

Hayden's face twisted as he immediately pulled out his phone to call me.

"Me, have second thoughts?"

"I'm just thinking about how to play this to be more satisfying."

"Amelia is just my doormat. She'll come if I call, won't she?"

I covered my mouth, suppressing the bitterness in my heart as tears silently rolled down my cheeks.

After getting together with Hayden, he had been attentive to my every need, learning to cook for me and hand-washing my intimate apparel.

He said his greatest pleasure was slowly fattening me up.

I gave up my career for him, cut ties with my family, and abandoned all the things I liked.

I completely packaged myself into the person he liked, spent four years wholeheartedly taking care of him, and entered into marriage with him.

I thought I had finally found true love.

But it turned out all of this was just because he was in a spat with Chloe.

I was just a pawn in their love story.

I bit my lip hard to control my sobs, wiped away my tears forcefully, and turned to leave.

Just then, my phone rang in my pocket.

Hayden ordered me to get to the club within ten minutes.

But our marital home was a two-hour drive from the club.

The pain in my heart had reached its limit, and I felt numb. I just calmly asked back:

"Do you know how far home is from where you're talking about? Hayden, I just got my driver's license yesterday."

"So what if you just got your license? Stop being so delicate. Today is Chloe's welcome party, don't ruin the mood!"

I smiled bitterly.

But Hayden, today is also our wedding night!

Seeing that I didn't respond, Hayden softened his tone.

"I've already said it in front of everyone. Are you going to make me lose face in front of my friends? Don't be difficult. You know I like you best when you're understanding, hmm?"

I clenched my fists tightly. "Fine, I'll be right there."

Things needed to come to an end. I might as well give my past self some closure.

Before the call fully disconnected, I clearly heard a burst of raucous laughter from the other end.

"Hayden, you're the man! Even a dog isn't this obedient!"

"Tonight we'll make sure Amelia becomes an overnight sensation and returns to her peak!"

Chloe helplessly tried to stop them, "It's Hayden's wedding night after all, don't go too far."

Hayden's doting voice followed, "As long as it makes you happy, anything goes."

The cruel words completely severed my last shred of attachment. I tilted my head back, forcing back my tears.

Hayden, let me put an end to this myself.