Chapter 3

The voices around me grew louder, each person chiming in with their unsolicited opinions.

To them, my marriage was nothing more than a transaction, a business deal where I was the product.

And yet, Jack Shaw's eyes never left me. For a fleeting moment, I thought I saw a trace of longing.

Longing?

I couldn't help but laugh.

In my previous life, Jack once told me I was the best woman he had ever met, that marrying me was his greatest fortune.

I believed him.

I poured my heart and soul into our marriage, into his family.

But in the end, I found out the truth—he married me because his parents told him our horoscopes matched perfectly, that I would bring good fortune to his family.

When I lay dying, he screamed at me, blaming me for ruining his life, for keeping him from Chloe Quinn, his true love.

Now, in this new life, the very idea that he might feel anything other than relief that he didn't marry me was laughable.

Turning to the table, I forced a polite smile and spoke in a calm, measured tone.

"Uncles, aunts, Jack already has someone he loves. Marrying me was a lie—a sham. That's fraud, you know, and fraud is illegal. This isn't the 1800s anymore. Even if you drag me to some ancestral hall, it won't work. Besides…" I paused, my smile sharpening. "I'm already married."

Jack's expression shifted from shock to disbelief, then finally to a mocking sneer.

"Nina Carter, three years away, and you've learned how to lie so effortlessly? I know I'm the best man you've ever had access to. You can't have me, so now you're inventing some imaginary husband?"

Beside him, Chloe leaned against his shoulder, her gaze dripping with condescension and hostility.

"Miss Carter," she said smoothly, her voice exuding false sophistication, "I'm not like you. I don't define my worth by finding a man to marry. I have my own career and my own freedom. Jack and I are both free spirits, dedicated to a life without constraints. I'm not here to threaten your position—you'll always be Mrs. Shaw. But let's be real: you can't shake what Jack and I have."

She tilted her head, her tone turning patronizing.

"Look, Jack only married you to keep his family happy. Consider the dowry your compensation. And if you want, I can even offer you a job at my company. At least that way, you'll get a glimpse of a world far beyond anything you've ever known."

Her words dripped with elegance and confidence, painting a picture of glamorous galas, exclusive auctions, and a life of freedom.

But I knew better.

Not once had I seen her name on any invitation list to the kind of events she claimed to frequent.

I raised an eyebrow and turned to Jack.

This was the independent, worldly woman he admired so much?

Jack's expression was a mix of discomfort and pride.

"Chloe's a jewelry designer," he said, his voice tinged with arrogance. "That's something you could never achieve, Nina. Look at your hands—they're so rough. What are you doing with your life now? Still working as a reporter?"

I nodded, unbothered by his insult.

In my previous life, I had given up my career for him, abandoning opportunities to work with top mentors and eventually burying myself in the demands of his household.

But in this life, I embraced my freedom, taking on the assignments no one else dared to touch. My hands bore the marks of hard work, but I felt no shame.

Seeing my silent nod, Chloe let out a laugh, covering her mouth as if to stifle it.

"Miss Carter, as long as you don't cling to Jack after your divorce, I'll have him send you $1,000 a month as support. That's generous enough, isn't it?"

She wrapped her arms around Jack's, her posture exuding triumph.

To her, I was nothing more than a disposable servant she was graciously offering to pay off.

The others at the table jumped in, their words dripping with mockery.

"Being a reporter sounds fancy, but what's the monthly pay? $500? $1,000, tops? Nina, are you even able to afford food for yourself out there?"

"Women like you are better off finding a husband. What's the point of struggling when you'll just end up starving on your own? It's a good thing the Shaw family is so generous. Otherwise, if you ended up in debt, your parents wouldn't be able to bail you out."

Their ridicule grew louder, more cutting, and my parents' faces turned dark with anger and embarrassment.

Just as I was about to respond, a new voice cut through the noise.

"Are you people mocking Miss Carter?"

The room fell silent.

Jack shot up from his chair as if spring-loaded.

"Mr. Walters!" he exclaimed, his tone turning ingratiating in an instant. "What brings you here? Are you here to discuss a collaboration with my father? It's such an honor to have you here!"

Jack's smile stretched wide, oozing flattery. After all, Mr. Walters was one of the most powerful figures in the capital—a man the Shaw family couldn't even dream of currying favor with.

But Mr. Walters ignored him completely.

"I'm here because I happened to see Miss Carter."

I quickly stepped in, cutting him off before he could say more.

"Mr. Walters, it's an honor to see you again. The interview I conducted with you has already been finalized and submitted to the paper."

I stood up, subtly positioning myself between him and Jack.

This was my best friend's wedding, and my parents were here. I didn't want to cause a scene.

Turning to Jack, I met his gaze head-on.

"Jack, I'm never going to marry you. I told you—I'm already married. My husband will be here to pick me up soon."

Mr. Walters seemed to understand my intentions. He glanced toward the door and said, "The heir to the Hayes family is stopping by to discuss business. I'm just here to check in before his arrival."