Chapter 2

The Ricafort family is currently having dinner. With them is Samantha, who seems to be thoroughly enjoying the food served on the table.

Everyone is chatting happily except for Brandon, who looks very serious and uninterested in the meal.

Amery still occupies his thoughts. He keeps thinking about how she left with Anton Madrigal, not taking her personal belongings, the 20 million pesos, or the villa he had offered her.

"Where is Amery, by the way? Isn't she coming down to join us for dinner tonight?" Brandon's father asked with a tone of curiosity.

"We're divorced," Brandon replied, looking down. "We’ll handle the formalities and get the divorce certificate soon."

"Divorced? Why?!" Señor Emilio exclaimed in shock.

"Honey, I told you already... Amery is not suited for our son. It was only your father who insisted on their marriage," Señora Carmela explained with a sigh. "Enough with the pretense. Now that Amery is willing to separate, both she and Brandon can have better lives. After all, we all know Samantha is the one Brandon truly loves." The lady smiled as she glanced at Samantha, who wore an equally bright smile.

Señor Emilio ignored his wife and turned back to Brandon.

"Marriage is not a game, son... especially when it involves Amery."

Brandon scratched his eyebrow in frustration. "The divorce papers are already signed, Dad. Besides, Amery left without taking a single cent."

"Oh, at least that provincial girl has some pride," Señora Carmela chimed in. "But is she just trying to gain sympathy? Oh, I hope she doesn’t spread rumors that we treated her poorly."

Brandon's face darkened at his mother's words.

"Aren't you rushing things, Brandon? Your grandfather is still unwell... how will you explain this to him?" Señor Emilio said, his concern evident. He feared that the old man would be upset by Brandon's decision.

"I’ll tell him the truth. Besides, Samantha and I are getting engaged next month, and we’ll marry as soon as possible."

Hearing this, Samantha's face lit up with a huge smile, her gaze fixed on Brandon’s handsome features.

"You're being ridiculous! Are you just going to throw away the three years you've been together? This will ruin your reputation!"

"The hell I care. Amery is not the woman I want as my wife," Brandon responded firmly and directly, his voice devoid of regret.

"Uncle Emilio, please don’t blame Brandon. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s me," Samantha said softly.

---

If there was one thing Brandon disliked about Amery, it was her plain looks and lack of presence. She was overly conservative in how she dressed and spoke, and her actions were always calculated.

In their three years together, Brandon only noticed one quality in her—obedience. She never said no. It seemed like she would do anything his family asked of her, never once complaining.

But Brandon thought, what was the point of all that? No matter what Amery did, she would never be the woman he wanted as his wife.

One night, Brandon and Samantha decided to take a walk along the shore. They quietly enjoyed the fresh air under the moonlight when something caught their attention.

They heard the sound of fireworks bursting in succession. When they looked up at the sky, they saw the fireworks form the words "Happy Birthday!"

"Wow, it turns out someone’s celebrating a birthday! I wonder who it is. They’re so lucky to be given such a special greeting," Samantha said in amazement as she watched the firework display. She sighed, seemingly envious.

At that moment, Brandon’s vision blurred. He couldn’t explain the slight tightness in his chest.

Amery suddenly crossed his mind… it was her birthday today.

Could the fireworks be for her?

Could it be a gift for her from Anton Madrigal?

Before he could recover from his thoughts, a familiar voice reached his ears.

He also caught sight of a cruise ship moving not far from the shore. He squinted to see the people on deck, all elegantly dressed, and was stunned to recognize Anton and Amery among them!

"Oh my! That’s Amery, isn’t it? Who’s the man with her? They seem very close…" Samantha asked, her shock evident.

Brandon’s brows furrowed, and his face darkened. The veins in his hands and arms became visible as he clenched his fists tightly.

He had known it!

Even before their divorce was finalized, here was Amery already itching to replace him!

Brandon trembled with anger as he watched Anton and Amery embrace.

He couldn’t help but wonder why Amery had cried to him during their separation if she already had another man to turn to.

The cruise ship made two loops around the sea before the passengers disembarked. Brandon clearly saw Anton wrap an arm around Amery’s waist as they walked off the ship.

"Amery!" Samantha suddenly called out when they got close to them.

Hearing her name, Amery froze in place, her body visibly tensing. Slowly, she turned to face Samantha and Brandon.