Before the Bells Ring

"It's Janet's birthday, isn't it?"

He shot back the answer without missing a beat.

Then, realization creased his forehead. "Claire, you're quick. You've already had someone dig into her, huh?"

He sighed, a look of resignation in his eyes, which then flickered with unease at the sight of my swollen palm. He grabbed my hand, fished out some iodine from his bag, and started dabbing at the swelling.

"You always sweat the small stuff," he muttered.

"Cut out the drama, will you? A bruised hand won't look nice with a wedding ring on it.

"You've poured your heart into planning this wedding, don't you want to take care of yourself for it?"

I looked down, a shadow falling over my face.

Samuel had, as I feared, completely forgotten that day.

June 4th was the day I took three bullets for him, the day he finally confessed his love.

I was after Samuel for five long years.

I showered him with lavish gifts, which he would unceremoniously dump in the storage closet.

Then I would fling wads of cash at his flings, boldly declaring, "Whatever he pays you, I'll double it. Just leave him."

I turned Twilight City upside down for him. Everyone knew that the Jones family's mob princess had her eyes set on Samuel.

After that, no woman dared come near him, much to his annoyance.

However, I did not care. I always got what I wanted, one way or another.

Later, I resorted to some cunning to get Samuel into bed.

He woke up with his hand around my throat. "Claire, are you that desperate for me?" he asked.

His body still reeked of alcohol, and it sent my senses into a tailspin.

That day, I confessed, "Yes, I am that desperate for you."

Somehow, Samuel's grip loosened, and we found ourselves getting cozy all the way to the kitchen.

"Do I really need you?" I whispered.

"What did you say?" Samuel's eyebrows knitted together.

I did not get a chance to answer; his phone started ringing.

He turned the volume down and moved closer to the window, as if to keep me from overhearing.

A minute later, he was tapping the driver's shoulder frantically.

"Stop the car!"

He left in a flurry of snow.

"Mr. Gordon, what's going on? Ms. Jones, should we follow him?" the driver asked.

I caught a glimpse of the desperate man in the rearview mirror.

In that instant, I questioned myself. 'Did I really need him that much?'

The answer was a resounding no.

I could chase a man with all the tricks up my sleeve, but once he betrayed me, he was nothing but trash to me.

Trash is meant to be discarded.

I looked away and told the driver calmly, "No, let's head home."

Seeing me return alone, my father's face turned stormy. "Bring that scoundrel back here!"

I quickly calmed him down, his anger flaring at me. "Claire, our family doesn't show mercy!"

"I know, but I loved him once.

"Give him one last chance, and if he betrays me again,"

"I'll take matters into my own hands, whether it's his hands or his life."

Father was silent for a while before he turned to the butler.

"Tell the families, the wedding's off."

"There's no need," I cut in.

"Father, is that marriage alliance you mentioned still on the table?"