Rejected and Abandoned, Until the Right Man Found Me

To avenge his first love, Mathias Rocco vowed to teach me a lesson.

So, I was drugged and thrown into the bed of a pot-bellied, balding businessman like discarded trash.

Days later, Mathias finally remembered my existence.

"Irene, if you know what’s good for you, come back this instant," he ordered over the phone, his voice cold with entitlement.

"Otherwise, our engagement…."

A deep, lazy voice cut in with mockery. "Irene’s been quite exhausted these past few nights," the man drawled, his words carrying an unmistakable meaning. "Also…."

"Don’t wait for a wedding invitation. Irene feels sick just looking at you."

…

As the auction hall lit up, my eyes landed on Mathias, his fingers clenched around a wine glass, crushing it in his grip.

Shards of glass tore into his palm, crimson dripping onto the pristine tablecloth.

I gasped, instinctively stepping forward to check his injury, but he shoved me away, widening the distance between us.

It was then that I followed his gaze toward a woman in a plain white dress. The fabric was cheap and unremarkable, yet it did nothing to conceal her beauty. She stood there, frozen, staring at him like the world had just stopped.

A name surfaced in my mind.

Nathalia Cavendish.

Mathias’ first love. The woman who, when he had nothing, stripped him of what little he had left and vanished overseas without a trace.

I had once stumbled upon an old, yellowed photo album, flipping through snapshots of them together, his youthful adoration, her effortless charm.

And now, standing there, I finally understood.

The custom-tailored suit flown in from France, the platinum cufflinks, luxurious yet understated, and even his hair, styled to perfection by a professional.

This wasn't just any night.

He had been waiting for her.

Mathias looked devastatingly handsome, every inch of him exuding elegance and refinement.

Yet, I knew the truth; he had always despised dressing like this.

But tonight was different. Before leaving, he had stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his suit, smoothing his cufflinks, and scrutinizing every detail with uncharacteristic care.

I had seen the flicker of unease in his eyes. I had mistaken it for excitement.

Turns out, he had known all along.

He had known that Nathalia would be here tonight.

As the auctioneer urged the guests to take their seats, a young man appeared by Nathalia’s side.

I recognized him instantly. He was a notorious playboy in our social circles, one who swapped women as easily as changing ties.

Then, as if on cue, Nathalia looped her arm through his and leaned into his chest, flashing a soft, practiced smile.

And in the next breath, Mathias seized my hand and yanked me into his embrace.

The shards of glass still embedded in his palm sliced into my skin. Pain shot through me, a sharp, searing sting, but he didn’t seem to notice.

His grip only tightened.

His dark eyes, once unreadable, now burned with an intensity so deep that they looked almost black.

A passing waiter noticed the situation and rushed over with bandages. His voice was tinged with concern as he asked if we needed medical assistance.

Only then did Mathias seem to return to himself.

His gaze dropped to my wrist, now bleeding as much as his own, and for the briefest moment, guilt flickered in his dark eyes.

Silently, he took the medicine and gently dabbed it onto my wound, his movements uncharacteristically careful.

A low murmur followed, laced with an unfamiliar softness.

"Irene, I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention… I’ll make it up to you."

I didn’t know how to respond.

Then, a hushed murmur swept through the auction hall as a rare treasure was unveiled on stage, a breathtaking emerald necklace, gleaming under the lights.

And under the watchful eyes of the audience, Mathias made a high-profile bid, his actions as extravagant as they were deliberate.

When the auctioneer presented it, Mathias took the necklace himself, stepping behind me to fasten it around my neck. His fingers brushed against my skin, his voice carrying both arrogance and something far crueler.

"I’ve always said I would give the best to the woman I love."

"It was true then… and it will always be true."

Yet, as those words left his lips, his gaze never once landed on me.

After the auction ended, I excused myself and stepped into the restroom, letting out the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

But when I emerged, I came to a halt.

Nathalia stood before Mathias; her eyes rimmed with unshed tears.

Her voice trembled.

"Mathias, I never… I never meant to hurt you. I just…."