“No thanks. Someone else already paid for the photos.”

I politely declined his offer. After all, letting another man pay for wedding photos would not be right.

Matthew knew he was in the wrong, so he did not get mad.

Instead, he grabbed my hand and pulled me outside.

“Alright then. Since it’s your birthday, I’ll plan a big surprise for you.”

I really did not want to go.

After running around all day, I just wanted to sleep.

But Matthew held my wrist tightly and would not let go.

After leaving the condominium, he took me to a fancy restaurant.

I did not go to those places often.

They made me feel uncomfortable, and the food portions were way too small for me.

When we got to the private room, I saw a bunch of familiar faces.

Matthew’s usual group of friends. They were the same ones who had made fun of me earlier.

Some of them, the ones who lost their bets, started complaining when they saw me.

“Wrenna, how can you be this dumb? He’s tricked you so many times already, and you still fall for it every time? You’re hopeless!”

I did not react. I already knew they did not like me.

Mostly because I was in the way of Matthew and his childhood crush.

The only woman in the group spoke up for me.

“Don’t be mean. It just means Wrenna is a bit naive. She trusts people too easily.”

Krystal Johnson walked up to me with a smile and held my hand. She comforted me and handed me a red gift box.

“Wrenna, I heard it’s your birthday today. This is a gift for you.”

I took the box without thinking. I did not know how bad it was going to be.

Krystal opened the box while it was still in my hands, and white powder sprayed all over my face.

Everyone around us started laughing like crazy.

“That’s not being naive. That’s just being dumb!”

“This is hilarious. She really thinks she can hang out with us with a brain like that?”

I closed my eyes and wiped the flour off my face. I was angry and ready to speak up, but Matthew spoke first.

“Okay, that’s enough. It’s Wrenna’s birthday. Don’t cross the line.”

He tried to pull me into a chair.

I looked at him coldly.

“Do you think just saying that is enough? After something like this?”

He raised his eyebrows like it was no big deal.

“What do you want me to do? It was just a prank. It’s not that serious.”

At that moment, I realized that when a person was too angry to speak, they just ended up laughing instead.

“Matthew, after all these years, did you ever treat me like your girlfriend?

“How could you just stand there and let them treat me like this?”

This was the first time in seven years I stood up to him in front of everyone.

And just like I thought, his expression instantly darkened.

“Then what do you want?”

I pointed at Krystal, who pulled the prank.

“I want her to say sorry!”

Krystal quickly made a pitiful face.

“Wrenna, if you really can’t take a joke, then fine. I’ll apologize. Just don’t fight with Matthew over this.”

“You don’t have to apologize. I want to see what else she can do,” said Matthew with a mocking smile.

He looked at me disdainfully.

“Wrenna, you’re really getting bold. How dare you talk back to me like this in front of everyone?

“If you can’t handle a joke, then don’t play along. We can just break up.”

I shook my head and laughed.

Matthew probably still thought I would never leave him.

Every time I did something that upset him, he would just threaten to break up like it meant nothing.

“Fine. That’s exactly what I want. We’re done, Matthew!”

Everyone in the room looked shocked as I grabbed my purse and walked out.

Before I left the restaurant, I went to the restroom to clean the flour off my clothes.

On my way out, I walked past the private room and heard people laughing inside.

“Matthew, aren’t you afraid Wrenna would really break up with you? Why are you still here drinking?”

Matthew replied like he did not care at all.

“Come on, she’s so desperate. All I have to do is wave her over, and she’ll come back.

“If you don’t believe me, just wait. When I go home later and say a few nice words, she’ll give in. Want to bet?”

“Alright, let’s bet. I don’t think you’ll win this time!”

“I’m not betting! I lose every time!”

I kept a straight face, but inside, my heart was breaking.

After seven years together, I realized I was nothing more than a tool for bets between him and his friends.

I ran out of the restaurant in a daze and accidentally bumped into someone.

It was Marco Parker. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “What happened? Why are you in such a mess?”

Though he sounded calm, I could sense a hint of anger in his voice.

I had never expected to run into him.

Panicking, I grabbed a tissue to wipe my face and stood there awkwardly.

“It’s nothing… I just got some flour on me. That’s all.”

I noticed that his expensive suit had flour and water on it. I quickly apologized.

“I’m so sorry. It’s my fault your suit got dirty. Maybe I can clean it for you?”

He said nothing.

But I could tell from his eyes that he knew I was not telling the truth.

“Wrenna, from today on, we’re husband and wife. You don’t need to apologize to me. It’s just a piece of clothing. Even if you hit me, it must mean I did something wrong.”

His deep voice made my ears warm, and my cheeks quickly turned red.

Luckily, Marco did not say anything more about the flour. He walked me out of the restaurant and put his blazer over my head.

“It’s raining and cold. You’re not wearing much. Stay warm.”

I had not noticed the cold until he mentioned it.

I shivered, and he pulled me into his arms.

Just as I was about to pull away, I heard a voice I knew too well.

“Mr. Parker, what a surprise. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

I instantly froze. I stayed curled up in Marco’s arms because I was too scared to move.

Matthew glanced at me in Marco’s arms, then smiled and said, “Looks like I ruined your fun. Who’s the lucky girl you’re holding?”

I grabbed the blazer over my head tightly. I was afraid Marco might take it off.

I did not even want to imagine how awkward that would be.

Marco kept holding me and walked a few steps forward. Then he stopped, turned around, and looked coldly at Matthew.

“None of your business.”

When we got into the car, I could not hold in my laughter any longer.

In the dark car, Marco looked straight at me with those beautiful eyes.

“Was it that funny?”

His clothes were wet from the rain.

I was still resting against Marco’s chest. I could feel the warmth from his body through his wet shirt.

The way he looked at me was becoming more intense.

Even though we had just gotten married on that day and had taken wedding photos, he still felt like a somewhat familiar stranger to me.

I quickly sat up, straightened myself, and became serious.

“No, it’s not funny at all.”

After he dropped me off at my condominium, I thanked him as I got out of the car.

Marco raised an eyebrow, reached into the backseat, and pulled out a small cake.

“If I’m not mistaken, today’s your birthday, right? Happy birthday, birthday girl!”

I was surprised and looked at him.

“How did you know today was my birthday?”

Marco opened the cake box, stuck candles in it, and lit them.

He pulled out our marriage certificate and pointed to the date.

“It’s right here. I told you I’d remember all our special days. Did you forget?”

I felt my ears getting hot at that moment.

After quickly eating the cake, I rushed back to my condominium.

When I got inside, Matthew was already there with a box of cake.

I had a feeling I knew what he was up to.

This was his way of trying to make me feel better.

“Where have you been? It took you forever to come back. We just pulled a small prank, and now you’re mad?

“Come on, blow out the candles.”

I did not respond and looked at the clock. It was already past midnight.

I sighed.

“Matthew, when have you actually cared about me? My birthday is already over.”

He looked guilty for a moment but still stubbornly said, “It’s just a few minutes late. It’s no big deal. You should be thankful I remembered. Who else would even remember your birthday?

“I turned down some plans just to be with you. Don’t be ungrateful!”

I calmly pushed him toward the door and sneered inwardly.

He always made it seem like he was doing something amazing for me.

“Did you forget? I already told you we’re breaking up. I don’t need you for my birthday.”

Matthew finally noticed the blazer I was wearing.

His face twisted in anger, and he yelled, “Whose blazer is this?! This is men’s clothes! And this is men’s cologne! You wouldn’t wear this!

“And you weren’t wearing this blazer when we left! Wrenna, are you cheating on me?!”