Chapter 2

Jake could say those words so confidently because I had compromised so much over the past five years.

Every time he made a mistake, all it took was a token gift and a few half-hearted words of apology for me to forgive him without a second thought.

So, of course, he would assume that this time would be no different.

He was certain I would forgive him, just like always.

But not this time.

I had barely left the venue when my phone rang.

“Ms. James, that was just a joke earlier.

“Please come back. Mr. Stevens is about to marry Ms. Xanders.”

I let out a bitter laugh. While sitting comfortably in my brand-new Maybach, I responded with disdain.

“Let him.

“He can marry whoever he wants. It has nothing to do with me anymore.”

With that, I hung up without hesitation.

Growing up, my parents always told me to follow the rules to fulfill my role as the eldest daughter of the James family.

I was supposed to be well-behaved, obedient, and always composed.

Under the weight of their pressure, they pushed me into depression.

At my lowest point when I wanted to kill myself, Jake appeared in my life.

He was like a savior. He pulled me out of the darkness.

However, I did not need a savior anymore.

I could walk out of the darkness on my own.

The car sped down the road and soon arrived at our marital home.

I declined the butler’s offer to park the car in the garage. I went to the room and grabbed my ID papers and other important documents before leaving.

As for everything else in the house, I did not need it anymore.

After returning the engagement gift Jake had given me, I replied to my professor’s message.

[Professor, I’ve decided to accept the offer to study abroad.]

At 10 p.m., I was sitting in the airport terminal and waiting for my flight.

I knew that my decision would undoubtedly displease my family.

However, I did not want to keep living the life they had mapped out for me.

I needed to live for myself.

Two days later, I landed at the airport in Fensia.

I had always wanted to further my studies, but my parents and Jake did not approve.

I had always cared too much about what they thought.

But not anymore.

At the airport entrance, Olivia Green, my best friend, was waiting for me with someone to help.

As soon as we met, she pushed a guy toward me.

“Lily, your luggage is way too heavy. I couldn’t carry it, so I brought Zane to help you.”

I glanced in surprise at his six-foot frame and muscular biceps.

I was about to say something, but my friend did not give me a chance to refuse.

She pulled me straight into the car. Her eyes filled with concern as she looked at me.

“Jake Stevens is such a jerk. If I had known how awful he was, I never would’ve let you marry him!”

I could not help but smile at her. I handed her a pack of snacks that I brought from home, which she has been craving.

As she gasped in delight, I smiled softly and said, “Olivia, I’m okay.”

She put down the snacks and pointed out the window at the guy helping with my luggage.

“Exactly, there’s no point getting angry over a jerk. As the saying goes, the best way to get over one relationship is to start another.”

I did not respond as I thought she was just joking.

I did not expect Olivia to bring me to a shooting range the very next day.

The reason she came up with was… “Since you’re here, you’ve got to experience the thrill of shooting!”

I wanted to decline, but the Gatling gun firing inside sounded too tempting.

I could not resist it.

As soon as I walked in, I saw Zane Stone standing by the entrance.

Olivia beamed and gave me a little push inside. Before leaving, she could not resist dropping a reminder.

“Have fun, Lily!”