Nathan: "Is it your first time?"

 Still shaken by what he had just seen, Nathan shifted his gaze back to me.

 Nathan: "Yeah, so what? Do you have a problem with virgins?"

 He frowned and looked at me with an expression I couldn't decipher.

 Nathan: "Go on, tell me what you want. Money?"

 After a long silence, he spoke again with the same indifference as before.

 Me: "So every woman who sleeps with you asks for money, is that it?"

 I felt insulted and glared at Nathan. Last night... I had only wanted to release everything I was feeling, and now I almost regretted doing something so stupid.

 Me: "Do I look like a prostitute to you? We just answered a need. I don't need your money. And now, we go back to being strangers. Period."

 That meant I didn't want to say anything more to Nathan, and I quickly left the hotel. Once I arrived at Liliana's place, she dragged me straight into my room.

 Liliana: "Irène, you didn't come home last night. Do you know how worried I was? I called you but you didn't answer... So you were with Perry, right?"

 Liliana raised her eyebrows and looked at me. She snapped her fingers, and I naturally understood what she meant.

 Me: "You're wrong. Yes, I slept with a man. But not Perry."

 Just hearing Perry's name made me sick.

 Liliana: "WHAT?! You slept with another guy? But... what happened?"

 Liliana's eyes widened, visibly shocked by what I said.

 Looking at her shocked expression, I remembered the night I found Perry and Courtney together on the bed. Then I told Liliana everything.

 Liliana: "What? He really did that? He's such a piece of trash!"

 After hearing the whole story, Liliana cursed Perry every way she could.

 Liliana: "By the way, what are you going to do now? Today is your wedding day!" she asked anxiously, as if something had suddenly hit her.

 Me: "The wedding is canceled," I said coldly. I could clearly feel the pain in my chest as I whispered those words.

 Liliana: "Smart decision. There's no way you were going to marry that idiot."

 I had been looking forward to that wedding for so many years. I had personally arranged every detail. I had put endless effort into it, and now everything had gone up in smoke right before my eyes.

 Me: "Liliana... I'm tired. I just want to sleep."

 Right now, I just wanted a good sleep to forget my problems for a moment.

 It seemed like I slept for a long time. When I woke up, I heard voices in the living room. It sounded like Perry. I heard Liliana-she seemed to be arguing with him. When I opened the bedroom door, I saw Perry sitting on the couch and Liliana angrily standing beside him.

 Liliana: "Irène, Perry called me over when he saw me."

 Me: "Perry, what are you doing here? You're not welcome here. I want you to leave this house."

 I resisted the urge to ask him why he had betrayed me and pretended to be indifferent on purpose.

 Perry: "Irène, what happened last night was..."

 He stood up and walked toward me.

 Liliana: "Oh, right, you want to explain HOW you were screwing her cousin in HER bed last night?"

 Sarcasm dripped from Liliana's voice. Meanwhile, I felt my anger rise again. After all, he was someone I had loved deeply. Every time I remembered that he had cheated on me and lied to me, I couldn't help but feel hurt and humiliated.

 Perry: "I know I messed up, Irène... but Courtney and I... we love each other. I..."

 Perry's mouth was open as if he wanted to continue, but I cut him off.

 Me: "Stop! It's over, Perry. You don't have anything left to explain. Didn't you say I was forcing you to marry me? Then let me tell you now-you don't need to marry me anymore."

 He was the one who cheated and slept with my cousin. How could he have the nerve to tell me they were in love? What a joke! If they were truly in love, then what did he think I was for the past seven years?

 The problem was that I was his girlfriend. And today was supposed to be our wedding day, yet he came to tell me they were in love. I couldn't believe how shameless he was-the man I had loved for so many years.

 Perry: "Irène, thank you..."

 Maybe because of guilt, Perry spoke softly and seemed unsure of himself.

 Thank you? Ha... Perry looked relieved. Seeing him like that made me suffocate. He was thanking me because I canceled the wedding. This was the man who once told me he loved me and wanted to make me happy for the rest of my life.

 Me: "Get out! I don't want to see you again!" I screamed, pointing toward the door.

 Liliana: "Are you deaf? Get out!" Liliana hit Perry with a broom, furious.

 After Perry left, I felt like all my strength had drained out of me, and I sat on the floor with empty eyes. Even if he was trash, he was still the man I had loved for seven years.

 Liliana: "Irène, cry! You'll feel better."

 Liliana came over and hugged me, her voice full of compassion.

 Me: "Why should I cry? I won't cry for such a shameless jerk. Don't mention him again."

 Liliana: "Irène, I know you're hurting. Cry. Let everything out. And afterward, we'll start over. I'm here."

 Liliana held me tightly. I could hear her voice breaking as she spoke. She was my best friend. Seeing me like this must have hurt her too.

 After crying for a long time, my eyes were swollen and burning. My head felt heavy, as if crying had drained all my energy. Then I went back to the bedroom and fell asleep again. I spent nearly the entire day and night in bed. Even in my dreams, I saw that bastard Perry desperately trying to sleep with Courtney on the bed.

 Liliana came into my room to wake me up; she probably couldn't stand seeing me torture myself anymore.

 It was the third day since the breakup.

 Liliana: "Come on. Get up and eat something."

 I pulled the blanket over my head, not wanting to talk. I had no appetite at all. For the last two days, I had barely eaten. Every time I closed my eyes, I could only think about Perry's betrayal and lies.

 Me: "I'm not hungry," I mumbled.

 I just wanted to lie in bed and do nothing. But Liliana had had enough. She yanked the blanket away and looked at me angrily.

 Liliana: "That's enough! Irène, when did you become so useless? Is he really worth destroying yourself?"

 I stayed silent, but my heart still hurt. Even if he was trash, I had loved him for seven years. For seven years, I had given everything just to be with him forever. I thought marrying him was my path to happiness, but in the end, I had fallen into a bottomless pit.

Me: "Liliana, what do you think I should do now?"

 I stood there, staring blankly out the window. For years, Perry had been my entire world. Everything I did revolved around him. Now that he was gone, I felt like I had lost all purpose. I didn't even know why I woke up in the morning anymore.

 Liliana: "Irène, he's just trash. Thank God you realized it before it was too late. Imagine finding out after the wedding."

 Sitting next to me, Liliana wrapped her arms around me to comfort me. I could see the worry in her eyes, but my heart... it hurt even more.

 I had cried every tear I had these past few days, but the heartbreak refused to disappear.

 Liliana: "Irène, you'll forget him eventually. And you'll find a man a million times better than him."

 I was really lucky to have her by my side at that moment. Without her, I wasn't sure I would've survived this far.

 Liliana: "Get up, get dressed and put on some makeup. We're going shopping today. It'll do you good. You'll see-after this, Perry will be nothing but a bad memory."

 She literally dragged me out of bed, forced me to change clothes and put on makeup. Then we headed to the nearest mall.

 I knew this mall belonged to the company Perry worked for. Just thinking about it made me want to leave, but Liliana pulled me straight inside without hesitation. I knew she was only trying to help me move forward, so I stayed even though I really didn't want to.

 We walked around, picking things out, and soon Liliana's hands were full of shopping bags. As for me, I hadn't bought anything-I just wasn't in the mood.

 Suddenly, I spotted a couple not far away. It was Perry and Courtney. My heart twisted painfully and I immediately turned around, panicked. I just wanted to disappear.

 Liliana: "Irène, why are you pulling me? I'm not done shopping."

 Me: "Liliana, let's go somewhere else. I don't want to stay here."

 I turned my back toward Perry and Courtney who were approaching, desperate not to be seen by them. Liliana frowned, puzzled by my sudden change-but she didn't have time to say anything before they reached us.

 Courtney: "Irène, what a coincidence. I didn't think you'd get over the breakup so quickly. Only a few days, and you're already in the mood to go shopping."

 Her voice was dripping with sarcasm. I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt, especially hearing her mock me like that. But I refused to show even a trace of sadness or weakness. They weren't worth it.

 After seeing them together, Liliana finally understood why I wanted to leave. She immediately stepped in front of me to shield me.

 Liliana: "Well, look who it is... The mistress. The boyfriend thief. Figures."

 Courtney's face darkened instantly under Liliana's contemptuous stare.

 Courtney: "Liliana, watch your mouth! Perry and I truly love each other. If it weren't for Irène, we would've been together long ago!"

 Liliana rolled her eyes in disgust.

 Liliana: "Every mistress says the same thing since the dawn of time. 'We truly love each other'... Please. You're just a slut who dared seduce her cousin's fiancé. It's disgusting."

 Courtney glared furiously at her.

 Courtney: "Who are you calling a slut, Liliana? You'd better take that back. Who's the slut here?"

 Liliana: "You, obviously. You're a shameless slut."

 Liliana shot her a defiant look.

 I quickly grabbed Liliana's arm as their argument began attracting stares from people around us.

 Perry: "There's no need to argue with her. Let's go."

 Courtney: "Perry! They insulted me! Do you even care?!"

 Perry: "Irène, your friend..."

 He looked at me with an annoyed expression, as if Courtney were the victim.

 A sharp pain stabbed my chest when he said my name. I turned toward him with indifference, holding back the tears.

 Perry: "Your friend, Liliana? Shouldn't she apologize for those abusive insults?"

 His voice was cold. Distant.

 The man who once loved me, protected me, reassured me... was now defending another woman against me.

 So to him, I mattered less than a mistress.

 Me: "Liliana didn't say anything wrong. You're the one who cheated on me. You betrayed me for seven years. And now you want my friend to apologize to... that? How dare you, Perry? How dare you ask for an apology?"

 In that moment, I didn't care who was watching. I answered loudly and stepped closer to him. I had tolerated his betrayal, but asking for apologies? Did I look that easy to intimidate?

 People around us began whispering quickly, almost all of them accusing Perry of cheating. I had always been so gentle... I had never raised my voice at him. But today was different. Today, I was furious. And Perry never expected me to call him out so openly, so loudly.

 Courtney: "Irène, why are you doing this? Perry and I love each other! If you hadn't been in the way, we'd be married by now! How dare you play the victim? You're the one who forced Perry to stay with you!"

 Me: "I forced him to stay? Ha... A scumbag like him- even if he begged me now, I wouldn't take him back. He disgusts me."

 A sarcastic smile curled at my lips as I stared coldly at the pathetic couple. I could never tolerate betrayal. No matter how much I once loved Perry... everything ended the moment I saw them in bed together.

 Me: "I would never forgive a man who cheated on me!"

 Courtney: "You're saying that because no one wants you. Look at yourself-what man would even be interested in someone like you?"

 Her arrogant, disdainful tone almost made me laugh.

 Liliana: "Oh, there will be men who want Irène, trust me. But you? Aside from Perry... no one. A guy would have to be blind to fall for a slut like you."

 Liliana snapped back instantly. She couldn't stand Courtney's arrogance toward me.

 Courtney: "Oh yeah? You're sure? Then show me! Show me what kind of man would want her!"

 Courtney knew how much I had loved Perry. Back then, when we were close, I used to talk about him all the time. I thought she cared about me. I trusted her entirely, told her everything.

 Thinking back now... I had been so stupid. She wasn't listening because she cared-she was gathering information to seduce him.

 What an idiot I had been...

 Me: "You want to know what kind of man would be interested in me? Fine. I'll show you."

 Without thinking twice, I marched straight toward Nathan, who was standing a bit farther away. I had no idea why he was there, but it didn't matter. I was fueled by anger, pain, and wounded pride. I grabbed his arm and looked up at him with a smile.

Me: "Darling, what are you doing here? Did you come to pick me up?"

 When he saw me, his usually handsome face immediately darkened. He was visibly furious. I knew I was putting him in an embarrassing position in front of his employees, but I didn't have time to think about that. Perry and Courtney were right there, and I refused to be humiliated in front of them. So I used Nathan to save face.

 Nathan: "You? What are you doing here?"

 His voice was low, but I could clearly feel the anger in his tone.

 Me: "Please... just do me this one favor. After all, I gave you my virginity, the least you could do is play along."

 I had no idea how Nathan would react. Would he reject me? Go along with it? I had no clue. His dark eyes were furious, unreadable. I couldn't guess what he was thinking, but instinctively, I could feel the dangerous aura radiating from him.

 Just when I thought he would push me away, he suddenly wrapped an arm around my waist and looked into my eyes with a soft smile.

 Nathan: "Are you okay, baby? I hope I didn't hurt you too much last night..."

 His voice was so gentle. I couldn't help melting under his gaze, especially when a man as stunning as him looked at me so tenderly.

 Me: "I... yes, I'm fine. Much better now..."

 I replied with a shy smile, unable to hold his gaze.

 Nathan: "I'll be gentler next time. I won't hurt you again. I promise."

 He reached out, swept a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and looked at me lovingly.

 Without meaning to, his words made me panic, and I suddenly started blushing. And then... what did he just say? "Next time"? There would be no next time! I had given him my virginity and he had the nerve to handle me roughly all night, and now he was talking about a next time? Pfft... I secretly cursed Nathan in my heart, but I had to pretend to be happy in front of Perry and Courtney.

 Perry's expression changed instantly: his eyes darkened with anger as he stared at me. Courtney looked completely shocked as she stared at us pressed against each other.

 Courtney: "What... he's your man?"

 One look was enough to see that Nathan surpassed Perry in every way. Looks, presence, prestige... Even without knowing his identity, Courtney must have sensed it too.

 Me: "Of course he's my man. Do you regret choosing Perry now?"

 I looked at Courtney with a mocking smile.

 Perry: "Mr. Spence..." Perry straightened up and walked toward Nathan, suddenly looking very respectful.

 Nathan: "Perry, can you explain why there's so much noise here? What's going on?" Nathan asked coldly after giving him a brief look.

 Perry glanced at me, clearly embarrassed by Nathan's question. He didn't know how to answer. I was in Nathan's arms, and I wondered how Perry felt at that moment. But I felt absolutely triumphant.

 Perry: "It... it's nothing, just a personal issue. But... what brings you here today?" he asked quickly, trying to change the subject.

 Nathan: "I came to accompany this beautiful lady while she chooses whatever she wants. Since you're here, maybe you could give her some advice? What do you think, baby?" he asked, staring straight into my eyes.

 Me: "Uh... no, it's fine. Liliana is here, and I know the center very well."

 Courtney: "Perry, you know this man? Is he really Irene's boyfriend?"

 Courtney had always been arrogant. She must have been upset after seeing Perry tremble in front of Nathan. Nathan wasn't just more handsome-he clearly had a higher status than Perry. Seeing me with a man better than Perry must have deeply frustrated her.

 Perry: "Courtney! Shut up!"

 Courtney: "Why should I shut up? I'm telling the truth! I'm sure Irene still loves you. She's just hurt because you left her, so she found some guy just to pretend!"

 Perry: "Courtney, that's enough!" he shouted, finally stopping her.

 Perry knew very well that Nathan wasn't the kind of man anyone could use to pretend or manipulate-there was no way this was a game.

 Courtney: "You... you yelled at me? Perry, you don't love me anymore?" Her expression turned vicious in an instant. Tears filled her eyes as if she had been wronged.

 I snickered at Courtney's pitiful act. She always had to pretend to be the victim. Maybe that was how she seduced Perry-men liked delicate, gentle women. But I was the complete opposite.

 Nathan: "Perry, you should seriously reconsider your taste in women." Nathan let go of my waist and stepped closer to Perry. His tone was mocking as he looked at Courtney. I didn't expect the usually reserved Nathan to spice up my little game. When he spoke, I could clearly see the embarrassment on Perry's face. Watching him look so defeated made me feel triumphant.

 Perry: "Mr. Spence, I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

 Perry was a reserved man. Courtney's behavior must have embarrassed him, so he quickly dragged her away.

 Liliana: "See? Even a random guy off the street would be ten times better than Perry!" Liliana said, adding fuel to the fire.

 I could no longer pretend, and I struggled to maintain my smile once they left. I hesitated for a moment, then walked toward Nathan and said:

 Me: "Thank you... for what just happened."

 Nathan glanced at Liliana standing next to him. Then he turned to me and spoke coldly.