Chapter 2
Jason set down his glass, tilted his chin up slightly, and looked at me with a cold sneer, his gaze icy.
The atmosphere dropped to freezing point. The lively scene from moments ago instantly fell silent. The people who had been crowding beside me, trying to push forward, now all stepped back in unison, leaving me standing alone at the front.
I stared at Jason, my heart pounding so fast it felt like it would leap out of my throat.
Before I knew his identity, I only thought his face was handsome, with smiling eyes that curved when he laughed, cheerful and bright.
Looking at him now, his sharp features held a coldness that kept people at a distance. Even when he smiled, his eyes were full of mockery, showing no trace of real amusement.
Could time really change a person this much?
Or was his previous personality all an act?
"Sue." Brian turned his head and winked at me. "I left the contract in the car. Go get it for me."
As he spoke, he pressed the car keys into my hand and pushed me by the arm.
The crowd quickly surged forward, blocking me out.
I shuffled out of the banquet hall step by step. The cold air of the underground parking garage hit my face, damp and clammy. My face was covered with tear stains.
Three years of dating, five years since the breakup. Jason seemed to have become part of my life.
No matter how much I reminded myself that we were over, that I was the one who pushed him out of my world.
Just his appearance was enough to throw me into chaos, my mental defenses crumbling instantly.
I got the contract, but didn't return to the banquet hall. I went to the restroom first to wash my face.
When I came out, a tall, straight figure stood outside the door, one hand in his pocket, a cigarette flickering in his other hand.
It was Jason.
I lowered my head and tried to walk around him.
Just as I passed him, he said coldly, "Sue, you're pretty open these days."
I stopped and looked at him, confused.
He stubbed out the cigarette, then extended his hand from his pocket, palm open.
In his palm was my lost bracelet.
I reached for it, but he suddenly clenched his fist and moved his hand behind his back, mocking, "You're a married woman, and you're still seducing other men in the dressing room?"
The man in the dressing room earlier must have been his friend.
I pressed my lips together, staring at his hand. "Give it back to me."
Jason sneered and moved closer. I instinctively backed away.
The corridor was narrow. He cornered me against the wall, my back pressed against the cold tile, my breathing rapid and ragged.
He looked down at me, his gaze dark, a contemptuous smile on his lips. "Since you're married, why are you still wearing this bracelet?"
The bracelet was a token of love he'd given me.
It really wasn't appropriate for a married person to wear.
I looked up at him, gritting my teeth, and said angrily, "Whatever. It's just a bracelet. If you want it back, take it."
Jason's expression visibly darkened. After a moment, he let out a mocking laugh, turned, and walked away.
Only after he disappeared from view did I slide down the wall and collapse to the floor.
Was a bracelet all that the relationship left me with?
Given his current status, I wondered what he would think if he knew about Jessica's existence.
I pulled myself together and returned to the banquet hall. The reception had already started.
Brian was nowhere to be seen, probably off somewhere talking business.
I found an empty corner to sit in and messaged Brian, planning to hand over the contract and then find an excuse to leave.
"Hey, beautiful." A fat man came up to me. "Sitting alone is so boring. Let's drink and dance together."
I recognized him. Martin from Shadow Corporation. He also had mafia protection behind him.
I didn't answer and stood up to leave.
Several burly security guards blocked my way.
Martin said with a smile, "Just have a drink. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"
His greasy hand grabbed my wrist, his fingertips rubbing back and forth. "Your skin is so smooth. It feels so good to touch."
As he spoke, he leaned in, his other hand sliding to my waist.
A hand grabbed Martin's wrist and yanked it back hard.
Martin cried out in pain. "Who is it? How dare you interrupt me! Do you have a death wish?"
The person behind him wore a suit, his face cold, twisting Martin's arm around to the front. "Martin, don't you know whose party this is?"
Seeing who it was, Martin instantly lost his earlier bravado. "Assistant Samuel, I was just joking with her."
Assistant Samuel stepped in front of me and released his hand, saying coldly, "Then get lost."
Martin clutched his wrist and left with his men without looking back.
Assistant Samuel turned to apologize to me. "Ms. Wilson, are you alright?"
I didn't know him or how he knew my name.
But either way, he had just helped me.
I smiled and said, "I'm fine. Thank you for earlier."
"You're welcome. If you need anything, just tell the staff." After politely responding, he left.
I couldn't find Brian, so I just sent him a message and left.
Back at Golden River Apartments.
Lily was busy in the kitchen.
Hearing me come in, she opened the door with a plate of freshly made pasta and poked her head out. "You're back? I bet you didn't eat properly at the party, right? I made pasta. Come sit down and eat."
Lily Foster was an online writer and my best friend.
When I first came to this city, I was penniless, and then I found out I was pregnant. Lily let me stay at her place, and later, when I wanted to move out, she refused. We've lived together ever since, five years now.
She set the dishes on the table, and seeing me still standing in the hallway, came over and asked, "Sue, what's wrong?"
I looked at her, my nose tingling, my voice muffled as if I'd just been crying. "Lily, I saw Kean."
Kean was the name Jason used when we were together.
Lily grabbed my hand, asking in surprise, "Did you tell him about Jessica?"
I shook my head. "No. He's not the old Kean anymore. He's Jason, the boss of Glacier Corp."
Hearing this, Lily's grip on my wrist tightened, and she asked in shock, "That Glacier Corp?"
Seeing me nod, she said helplessly, "Then Jessica will never know who her father is?"
The boss of Glacier Corp and an ordinary assistant, the difference in status was too great.
Lily understood that Jason and I were destined never to have any connection again in this lifetime.
I sighed deeply, about to comfort Lily, when Jessica came out of the bedroom, blinking her big eyes. "Mommy, you're home."