Chapter 1

Tags: Sensory Sensitivity, Provocation, Home Invasion, Broken Engagement, Sweet Revenge

I have had severe sensory hypersensitivity to pungent odors since I was born.

Yet, for the ninety-ninth time, my fiancé, Justin Hayes, brought Chloe, the imposter Vance heiress, straight into my brand-new townhouse.

The moment the nauseating stench of extra-stinky fermented noodle soup hit my nostrils, my temper flared.

Before I could speak, Justin rushed to shield Chloe, cutting me off:

"Evelyn, I know you can’t stand strong smells, but I was just craving this so badly. This is the last time, I swear! Next time, I’ll eat out!"

Chloe put on her best innocent, guilty face:

"Evelyn, it’s all my fault. I begged Justin to eat with me. It’s just a quick bite, surely you wouldn't starve your own fiancé, right?"

I reached for the window to air out the room, but Chloe grabbed my arm to stop me.

"If you open the window, the broth will get cold! And since the smell is already everywhere... Justin, why don’t you share some durian with me too?"

Justin actually nodded, glancing back at me:

"Why don’t you step outside for a bit? Come back once Chloe and I finish eating."

I opened my mouth to protest, but the stench slammed into my sinuses. Gagging, I slapped a hand over my mouth and bolted for the bathroom.

Behind me, I could faintly hear Justin grumbling:

"Let’s just keep eating. She’s always like this. One whiff and she freaks out. Way too dramatic!"

When I finally walked out, a container of stinky fermented tofu was sitting right next to the open durian.

Justin frowned as his eyes swept over me:

"Could you just leave already? We’re trying to enjoy a meal, and you’re over here throwing up. You completely ruined my appetite."

I didn’t say a single word. I opened the front door and walked out.

It wasn't until late into the night that Justin finally bothered to call.

"Alright, you can come back now."

I gave a dry laugh.

"I won't be coming back. I’m at your parents' estate right now, calling off the engagement."

There was dead silence on the line before Justin finally registered what I had just said.

"Calling off the engagement? Over a bowl of fermented noodles?!"

"All you had to do was open a damn window! Do you always have to make such a dramatic scene? Get your ass back here right now!"

I took a slow, deep breath.

"I am not coming back. If you want to talk, come to the Hayes estate."

"We will settle this in front of your parents."

Justin didn't say another word. He hung up immediately.

It didn't take long before footsteps echoed in the foyer of the Hayes mansion. Justin marched toward me, holding two luxury shopping bags.

He reached out, trying to ruffle my hair.

"Evelyn, I honestly had no idea you’d make such a huge fuss."

"Fine, fine. I promise I’ll never bring that stinky stuff into our place again. Here, I got you a gift. Stop pouting."

Chloe trailed behind him, smiling sweetly as she tugged on my sleeve:

"Evelyn, let it go. It’s just food. Did you really have to drag Justin’s parents into this?"

The heavy, rancid grease of those noodles still clung to both of their clothes. Even the gift bags reeked of it.

I felt sick just looking at them.

The moment I raised my hand to push the bag away, Justin struck my wrist.

He didn't hold back at all. The slap left a bright red welt across the back of my hand. Only then did he realize what he'd done, quickly pulling his hand back.

He forced an awkward laugh:

"Sorry, I was just messing around."

"You grabbed the wrong one anyway. The front bag is for Chloe. The one in the back is yours."

I looked down.

The front bag held a limited-edition handbag worth two hundred thousand dollars. The bag in the back held a complimentary keychain charm.

"I don't want it. Take it back."

The moment the words left my lips, Chloe snatched both bags with lightning speed.

Then, she put on that sickeningly sweet act:

"Evelyn, don't be like that."

"No matter how much it costs, it’s the thought that counts! Justin went out of his way to get it for you. Why do you have to be so materialistic?"

I scoffed, reached out, and ripped the designer handbag straight out of her hands.

"Since you're so noble," I sneered, "I’ll take the bag, and you can keep the charm."

Chloe instantly shut her mouth. Her preachiness vanished.

Her eyes welled with tears as she turned pleadingly to Justin.

Justin let out an exasperated sigh. Without hesitation, he yanked the bag out of my arms and shoved it back toward Chloe.

"She’s practically your sister! Can’t you just let her have it?"

"You’re the legitimate Vance heiress. The entire Vance Corporation and all its assets will be yours one day. Why the hell do you care about one stupid bag?"

This was never about a damn bag.

Disgust choked me. I didn't want to waste another breath on him. I stood up, turned to his parents, and gave a crisp nod.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, since our decision is final, I won’t take up any more of your time."

"Goodnight."

With that, I picked up my purse to leave.

Out of nowhere, Chloe burst into dramatic sobs behind me.

"Evelyn, why do you have to ruin everything?!"

"When our parents find out you called off the wedding over this, they're going to blame me! How am I supposed to live with that? It was just a bowl of noodles! Are you trying to drive me to suicide?!"

Crying hysterically into her hands, she bolted past me and out the door.

Justin didn't even hesitate. He took off after her, his shoulder slamming violently into mine.

I was wearing heels. The sudden impact threw me off balance, and my knees crashed hard against the cold marble floor.

A sharp groan slipped from my lips.

Justin only gave me a fleeting glance over his shoulder before chasing after Chloe, tossing a cold line behind him:

"Deal with your own mess."