Girlfriend for 8 Years, Choose to Marry Someone Else

I gave up my family business to be Avery's agent for eight years, and for those eight years, I was also her secret lover.

Every year for eight years, I proposed to Avery, only to be decisively rejected each time. But on the day of the Stellar Frame Awards ceremony, Avery publicly announced her engagement to another man.

"Thanks to Bryan's care over the years, I've achieved the success I have today. I've decided to marry him in three days," she said.

After saying that, Avery shot me a warning glance from the corner of her eye.

I fell silent, deep in thought for a moment, then dialed my mother's number. "Mom, I’m done playing around. I’ll take your advice and go back to run the family business."

On the other end of the line, my mother sounded as happy as a child. "What about the girl our family arranged for you?"

I glanced at Avery and Bryan, who were kissing on stage, and said, “Sure, three days from now is a good day. Let’s set it for then.”

——

My mother was momentarily stunned by my response, but after countless rejections from me over the years, her surprise quickly turned to joy. She cheerfully hung up the phone and began bustling around to arrange my wedding.

As Avery walked down from the stage arm in arm with Bryan, I was looking at the wedding venue my mother had just sent me.

Avery snatched my phone and, after glancing at the content, immediately laughed. “Dennis, you’re really becoming more thoughtful. Now’s the perfect time to check venues. Otherwise, Bryan and I might not have everything ready for our wedding in three days.”

Bryan leaned in and gave Avery a kiss on the cheek. He patted me on the shoulder and said, “Brother, thank you for taking care of Avery all these years. I can see you’ve done a great job. From now on, it’s my responsibility.” With that, he took Avery’s hand and led her away to an interview.

I looked down at the phone Avery had just tossed into my hands, a bitter feeling rising in my chest.

As I was about to leave, a message from Avery popped up on the screen.

[Leave first and wait for me at the villa. Watch your expressions—don’t let something this small make you lose face in public. If the paparazzi catch anything, I won’t forgive you.]

Out of habit, I pulled a mirror from my bag, checked my expression, and forced myself to smile before quickly leaving the venue.

I circled the villa several times before finally daring to go inside. When the old clock in the living room struck twelve, Avery stumbled in, reeking of alcohol.

As soon as she saw me, she threw herself into my arms, whining, “Dennis, I’m so exhausted today. Can you make me some hangover soup? Love you.”

The overwhelming scent of men's cologne on her made me feel nauseous. I pushed her off me and said, “I’m a bit tired too. I don’t feel like moving.”

Hearing this, Avery shot up from the couch like a spring. She raised her hand and slapped me hard across the left cheek, then pointed at me and screamed, her voice cracking, “Dennis, what’s your problem? Didn’t I already message you and explain everything? I told you not to let something this minor make you lose face! What’s with your attitude now?”

I pulled up the message Avery had sent me hours ago and held it in front of her. “Avery, is this what you call an explanation...?”

Before I could finish, she slapped the phone out of my hand, her emotions flaring even more intensely.

“Dennis, wasn’t focusing on the career first something we decided together? Do I really need to explain how marketable the ‘perfect housewife’ image is right now? My marriage to Bryan is just for publicity, for the sake of my career! And you—being this petty—do you even count as a man? You’re disgusting!”