Chapter 2
Matthew interrupted Winona’s thoughts with a sudden declaration. “Let’s call it quits on this engagement.”
His eyes, cold as ice, fixed on the bruises on Winona’s neck. In a gruff and distant tone, he continued, “You can keep the engagement gifts. Think of them as compensation.”
Despite his harsh exterior, Matthew was not as ruthless as Winona might have been. Determined to prevent her from making further reckless choices, he had resolved to set her free.
Winona winced at Matthew’s words, as if a dagger had pierced her heart. Suddenly, memories from her past life surged back, vivid and painful.
Matthew had agreed to end their engagement, just as she had wished for, but under Felicia’s sway, she had done something so dreadful that it had tarnished Matthew’s name and nearly shattered his life.
As she contemplated the incident that had nearly destroyed Matthew’s life and left him in such anguish, a shiver ran down Winona’s spine. Tears of regret brimmed in her eyes. “I’m sorry, she said. “I won’t end our engagement.”
This time, she was determined to change the course of history. No one would sway her from her path–she wouldn’t ditch the engagement or hurt Matthew again.
Resolved, she pledged to marry Matthew, protect him, and make amends for the profound love he had offered in their previous life. And she was dead set on making those who’d plotted against Matthew, her, and her family pay big time for the pain they’d inflicted.
Matthew’s voice was sharp as he confronted Winona, his grip on her shoulders firm and his eyes burning with fury. “Winona, what are you up to?” he questioned, confused by her sudden change of heart.
Winona clung to Matthew’s neck, her eyes glistening with tears. “Matt, I promise, I’m not up to anything. I truly don’t want to end our engagement.”
As Matthew gazed at Winona, a sharp pang of hurt pierced him, and his fists clenched involuntarily. A thought crossed his mind. ‘Has she changed her mind because of Travis?‘
With a coldness that mirrored his tone, he pushed Winona away. “Are you afraid that once we’re done, I’ll go after Travis? Or maybe you’re worried that without me, there won’t be anyone to back Travis in his career?”
Winona was quick to clarify, her voice filled with sincerity. “No, it’s not like that at all. I’m doing this for us. I genuinely want to be with you-”
However, Matthew didn’t allow her to finish, his voice as frosty as his demeanor. “That’s enough. I’m not falling for your tricks again.”
He couldn’t help but recall how just moments ago, she had seemed desperate to get rid of him, clinging to Travis and even wishing him dead.
‘How could she suddenly want to stay with me?‘ he thought bitterly. “To her, I’m ugly, nothing compared to the charming and handsome Travis‘
Winona had a history of this behavior. Each time she left him and then returned, he had welcomed her back with open arms, full of trust.
But the reality was that she only came back to exploit his resources to help Travis, then secretly conspired with his enemies. to betray him.
Matthew had always been aware that Winona was using him, but her presence by his side had been enough to make him turn a blind eye to her ulterior motives.
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Chapter 2
However, this time, tlietine had been crossed. Winona had gone to extreme lengths, hiring gigolos to ruin her own reputation in a bid to escape their engagement, and that terrified him. The thought of what might have happened if he hadn’t intervened was too painful to bear.
To protect Winona from causing herself further harm, he realized that he must let her go, to grant her the freedom she apparently desired.
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The thought of simply letting go, of watching Winona effortlessly moving on to Travis, sent a chill of rage through Matthew. Perhaps she might even marry him and start a family with him. This idea ignited a destructive impulse within Matthew.
Matthew inhaled deeply, seeking to quell the anger within him. He removed the pendant that had hung around his neck, a symbol of their commitment. “This was our promise,” he said, extending it towards Winona. “Now I’m giving it back.”
Before she could utter a word, he took her hand gently and placed the pendant in her palm. His eyes were rimmed with red as he announced, “You’re free.” With those words, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Winona, disregarding her disheveled state, leaped out of bed to chase after him. But she stumbled on the sheets and fell, a pained grimace crossing her face as she clutched her knee. She paused, wincing, before she finally managed to stand again.
At that moment, the bedroom door burst open, and a small figure, surrounded by a cloud of perfume, rushed in, clutching Winona’s shoulders. “Winona, I saw Matthew storm out. Has he finally decided to call off the engagement?” she inquired.
At these words, Winona quickly clenched her hand around the pendant and lifted her eyes.
The woman before her was the epitome of sweetness, with subtle makeup and a pink designer dress sparkling with rhinestones, the picture of a refined princess. Small and skilled in deception, she seemed a portrait of innocence, effortlessly captivating.
However, Winona had learned from her past life that behind that sweet, innocent exterior lay a cunning mind and ruthless intentions. Neither she, her father, nor her five brothers had been able to see through the facade.
“Felicia,” Winona hissed, her voice strained with anger: Her eyes were like flames.
Felicia wasn’t just Winona’s stepsister–she was Travis’s favorite. Winona had once treated her like family, trusting her with everything. But Felicia had double–crossed her, teaming up with Travis to steal her inheritance, leading to her tragic end on her wedding night.
If it weren’t for the voice of reason whispering in her ear that murder was a crime, Winona would have been tempted to wrap her hands around Felicia’s neck and exact her revenge on the spot.
Felicia felt a sudden chill run down her spine. She looked at Winona with a puzzled frown. “Winona, what’s going on? Why are you so upset?”
“Matthew won’t call off the engagement. I’m not happy about it,” Winona muttered like a child, her bottom lip jutting out in a pout as she clutched her plush bear. Her eyes concealed the icy rage that was simmering just beneath the surface.
Even though Winona had seen Felicia’s true face, her dad and brothers were clueless. To them, Winona was just a troublemaker, perceived as having the intellect of a five–year–old always causing some sort of trouble.
Plus, Winona’s dad doted on Felicia like she was his own daughter, and her brothers trusted her through and through. Without proof of Felicia’s wicked schemes, speaking out against her now would just make them think Winona was acting out of jealousy, trying to tarnish Felicia’s reputation.
If Felicia got mad, she could speed up her plans to hurt Winona’s family. To stop the disasters from her past, Winona knew she had to keep quiet and not raise any red flags for now.
“How could he not end it?” Felicia asked, her voice edged with worry. “Guys hate being cheated. Didn’t he catch you with those five guys in bed?”
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Winona stifled a snort, ignoring Felicia’s probing. Instead, she reached out and gave Felicia’s hair a quick, hard pull.
SEND GIFT
