Chapter 51: The Last Chance
Mia's POV
After the engagement ceremony ended, the classical music in the banquet hall switched to soft, soothing jazz.
Guests gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing.
I turned and headed toward the garden outside the hall, planning to wait there for Jayden to pick me up.
But Eva deliberately blocked my path.
"Mia, where are you going? The party has just begun."
Susan had safely boarded the plane. I no longer needed to fear Eva, so I rejected her "kindness" directly.
I said. "I have other matters to attend to."
I walked past Eva, continuing toward the garden.
Just as I was about to turn the corner, someone called out from behind me.
"Mia."
I stopped and turned around.
When I saw it was Gavin, I was surprised, but more than that, I was wary.
My tone was distant. "Gavin, what do you need me for?"
He walked up to me, lifted his chin, and taunted, "Didn't you say you loved me? Why not stay for the party?"
I stared into his eyes. Those gray eyes were full of mockery and derision.
I wanted to argue, to tell him I had never loved him, that it was all just an act to escape him.
But the words stuck in my throat.
Looking at his face so close to mine, I couldn't say a single word.
Seeing my hesitation, he didn't let me off.
Instead, he lowered his voice threateningly.
"I had David check your apartment just now," he said. "Susan wasn't there. And coincidentally, that man named Jayden was spotted near your building."
My heart sank. I instinctively tried to step back.
He grabbed my wrist with strong force, not allowing me any chance to escape.
He leaned closer, his warm breath on my face, but his words chilled me to the bone.
"Mia, tell me, where did Susan go?"
I trembled with fear, my face turning pale.
Did he already know I had secretly arranged for Susan to go abroad?
"I... I don't know what you're talking about..." I made one last attempt to resist.
"You don't know?"
He laughed softly.
His other hand touched my cheek, his fingertips caressing it gently, but his eyes were terrifyingly cold.
"Do I need to remind you? North America. Mental health sanatorium."
Each word he spoke was like a hammer, pounding on my heart.
"You'd better stay and finish the party."
His voice turned cold, commanding.
"Otherwise, I can't guarantee that nothing will happen to Susan after she arrives in North America. After all, the security there isn't very good."
His threat hung over my head like a sharp blade, leaving me no choice.
I had to abandon the idea of leaving and returned to the party.
When Eva saw me return, mockery flashed in her eyes.
"Wow, look who came back?"
My father Henry approached me under cover of the crowd.
His tone was full of disgust. "Mia! The engagement ceremony is over. Why are you still here?!"
He was afraid others would know I was his daughter. I found it laughable.
"If Eva hadn't threatened me, do you think I wanted to come to this damn party?"
"You!"
Just as Henry was about to explode, Hina also noticed me and walked over.
Henry immediately distanced himself from me.
Hina's gaze was contemptuous.
"Mia, don't think that just because you spent some time in Gavin's bed, it changes how cheap you are in your bones."
Before I could respond, Eva's friends noticed the situation and gathered around.
Seeing Hina's disgust toward me, one of them bumped into me, deliberately spilling red wine on my dress.
The woman covered her mouth with fake apology.
"Oh, I'm so sorry. My hand slipped."
"But you probably don't mind, right? After all, this dress is wasted on you anyway."
As soon as she finished speaking, the onlookers erupted in low laughter.
I felt unprecedented humiliation. I instinctively looked toward Gavin in the distance.
He stood there, coldly watching everything.
He had seen the whole process but made no move, didn't even furrow his brow.
After a while, those people lost interest when I didn't fight back and dispersed, leaving me disheveled.
Gavin finally finished watching the show and walked toward my corner.
He looked at the wine stains on my clothes and sneered.
"It doesn't feel good to be ridiculed by so many people, does it?"
I didn't answer, just bit my lip hard to keep tears from falling.
"Mia, as long as you're willing to apologize to me," he narrowed his eyes, "and promise to stay away from Jayden from now on, our relationship can be restored."
"You'll still be my mistress. I'll still give you money, everything you want."
"I can even make those people who mocked you shut up."
"How about it? This deal is quite good for you, isn't it?"
I looked at him, my heart filled with sorrow.
Although my heart ached like it was being cut by a knife, I refused to give him what he wanted.
"No need, Gavin. I don't need any help from you."
Anger ignited in his eyes. "Mia, what are you holding onto? Just for that Jayden?!"
His words reminded me that Jayden had promised to pick me up, but an hour had passed and where was he?
I hastily pulled out my phone. There were no missed calls from him.
Gavin let out a cold laugh.
"Still waiting for Jayden? Stop waiting. He might not have the chance to come."
Hearing Gavin's words, I looked up sharply, fear and anger intertwining in my heart.
I asked in a trembling voice, "Gavin, what do you mean? What did you do to him?"
"Nothing," Gavin shrugged. "I just sent people to have a 'chat' with him."
"You!" I trembled with anger.
"Gavin, you maniac! Jayden is innocent!"
I clenched my fists, wanting to leave this place to find Jayden.
I had to confirm his safety.
Gavin was completely enraged by my attitude.
He grabbed my arm and pinned me against the wall.
"Mia, this is the last chance I'm giving you."
His eyes were terrifyingly sinister, as if he wanted to devour me.
"Think carefully. If you leave this place now, even if you kneel and beg me later, I won't give you any more chances!"
His words sent a sharp pain through my heart.
I looked up, tears welling in my eyes. "Give me a chance to continue being your mistress?"
"Of course," he sneered. "Don't tell me you still want to be my wife? Do you think you're worthy?"
His words were like a merciless hand, tearing at my heart, bringing heartbreaking pain.
I finally understood. Between us lay not just a gap in status, but also his cold, heartless nature.
He didn't love me at all.
Holding back the pain, I gathered my strength and pushed him away hard. "You're right. I'm not worthy!"
I ran out without hesitation.
Gavin shouted my name from behind, his voice filled with fury.
But I didn't look back. Not once.