He Chose Her Joke, I Chose His Ruin Chapter 03

He Chose Her Joke, I Chose His Ruin Chapter 03

My heart plummeted.

Celeste’s smile turned cloying.

“Did you think he kept your scars a secret?”

“Sorry to burst your bubble—he spilled every secret while lulling me to sleep.”

“He says you were trapped as a kid, so you can’t sleep when it rains.”

“Says you look tough, but deep down you’re still that little girl terrified of the dark and drowning.”

A high-pitched buzz filled my ears.

Her words cut sharper than the frigid spray.

Over three years by Adrian’s side, I’d blocked boardroom coups on his behalf.

Secured overseas financing and rewritten acquisition drafts well past four every morning.

The night he hemorrhaged from stress ulcers, I stayed by his hospital bed until dawn.

When the Vale heir framed him for embezzlement, I traced the account loopholes and dragged him out of the mud.

He’d knelt before me then, voice raw.

“Elena, without you, I’m nothing.”

“Once I take back Vale Group, I’ll marry you.”

I’d thought that was a vow.

It turned out I’d been nothing more than a disposable asset to him.

One who yielded best when placated with occasional kindness.

Celeste tapped the glass.

“Elena, don’t blame me.”

“I just want you to know your place.”

She glanced up at Adrian, voice softening. “Adrian, you’re not mad, right?”

Adrian stubbed out his cigarette. “Don’t push it.”

Celeste pouted immediately. “How am I pushing it? You promised me a good time tonight. You said the engagement was just temporary anyway.”

Temporary.

Four plain letters, a sharp blade driving straight into my chest.

I looked up at Adrian. “Is that true?”

He frowned. He had plainly not expected Celeste to blurt the truth.

But his composure returned fast. “Since you heard it, no point lying.”

I stood shivering in the freezing water, staring at him.

“So tomorrow’s engagement party—also fake?”

His tone was indifferent.

“It is not a sham, merely an engagement, not a binding marital contract.”

“Elena, you should understand—Vale family marriages aren’t about feelings.”

“Celeste comes from the Shaw family. She’s the one who belongs beside me.”

My nails dug into my palms. “Then what was I?”

Impatience finally flickered in his eyes.

“Must you phrase it so harshly?”

“These three years—I haven’t treated you poorly.”

“You wanted a title—I made you Executive Vice President.”

“You wanted respect—who in Vale Group dares not call you Elena?”

“As for marriage—I can’t give it to you, and I won’t lie about it forever.”

He sounded so reasonable.

As if three years of my life were worth a VP badge.

Celeste leaned into him, smiling. “Elena, learn to be content.”

“For a girl with no lineage, family backing or prominent name, landing a spot at a Vale engagement is already a blessing.”

The crowd murmured agreement.

“Exactly.”

“If he actually married her, where would the Vale name be?”

“In old-money circles, talent counts for nothing, bloodline rules all.”

“Elena should wake up. At best, she’s a stepping stone. Since when does a tool become the lady of the house?”

I looked at those men who’d bowed to me in conference rooms.

Now that Adrian withdrew his protection, their masks were off.

A man in a gray suit chuckled, raising his phone. “Elena, want a souvenir photo? After tomorrow, Adrian’s side will have Miss Shaw. Tonight’s your last chance to play leading lady.”

I stopped talking.

Terror had peaked, and searing pain sharpened my mind into clarity.

I reached up, fingers brushing my earring.

It was still fastened in place.

It wasn’t just jewelry.

Three months ago, when I noticed irregularities in Vale Group’s internal accounts, I’d had my security team install an emergency beacon.

Three rapid taps triggered an automated GPS ping, firing instant alerts to my lawyer, aide and personal security detail.

Adrian didn’t know.

He thought I’d handed him every card.

He forgot—someone who clawed out of rubble never truly puts her life in another’s hands.

I bowed my head, pretending to choke on water, pressing my hand to my ear.

Click.

Click.

Click.

The earring gave a single hum.The signal went through.