I Exposed My Boyfriend for His Evil Deeds

I picked up the necklace and tossed it into the trash.

What was the point of me holding on to it if it meant nothing to him? Better to throw it out and be done with it.

I called movers and arranged to have my things picked up.

While waiting, Jenna and her friend suddenly barged through the door. Jenna’s eyes flicked over the few small boxes I had packed. Her tone was dripping with contempt as she said, “Oh, Cathy. Moving out? Finally. Honestly, your junk has always been out of place here.”

I did not bother responding, but her friend kicked one of my packed boxes.

“Jen, you’re just too nice. Some people are just born to live off scraps that others have thrown away. Zach bought this house for you as your engagement gift, but you, of course, had better taste and turned it down. So someone else got lucky, I guess. Miss Briones, I heard you even went through three months of special training just to marry into the Stein family. How’s that working out for you? Feeling humbled yet? Starting to realize the Steins aren’t so easy to impress?”

My fists clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my palms.

So, even this “new home” was just a discarded gift Jenna did not want.

“Are you done? If so, get out. You’re not welcome here.”

Jenna’s eyes glinted as she reached for the locket around my neck and snapped the chain with a sharp tug.

She said in a mocking tone. “This is actually kind of pretty. Cathy, how about you let me have it as a little souvenir?”

“Give it back.”

That locket was the only thing I had left from my mother. I would never let anyone touch it, let alone make a joke of it!

Jenna held it higher. There was a wicked glint in her eyes.

“You want me to give it back? I mean, I could. But didn’t you spend three whole months learning how to behave at that finishing school? You should know how to please people by now, right? How about this, you get down on all fours and bark for me like a dog. If you entertain me, maybe I’ll give it back. Sounds fair?”

I was shaking with rage. At that point, I had nothing left to lose. There was no way I was swallowing this humiliation.

I raised my hand to slap her, but before I could touch her, she let out a dramatic “Oops!” and the locket slipped from her fingers. It shattered on the floor.

I screamed and lunged at her, but she seemed to have been expecting it. Her foot twisted just so, and she let herself fall backward.

The front door slammed open with a crash. It was Zach.

“Cathy!”

Smack.

A sharp slap landed hard across my face. “You vicious girl! Jen came here to check on you, and you pushed her?”

He helped Jenna up and checked on her with concern.

“I didn’t push her! She broke my mom’s locket!” I held my stinging cheek and explained.

Jenna leaned into Zach’s arms like a fragile doll. Her eyes were glistening with tears.

“Zach, I was just trying to help Cathy pick up the locket. It slipped out of her hand and broke. She didn’t mean to push me. Don’t blame her, please. My ankle really hurts.”

“Cathy, you spent three months in that finishing school, and you’re still the same. Some people just don’t learn!”

Zach carried Jenna in his arms with a tender expression.

“It’s okay, Jen. I’ve got you. I’m taking you to the hospital now.”

As Jenna nestled in Zach’s arms and passed by me, she shot me a triumphant smile.

I crouched down. My hands were trembling as I picked up the shattered pieces of the locket from the floor. Tears were rolling down my cheeks.

Zach… Jenna…

I bit down hard on my lower lip. A storm of hatred was rising in my chest.

I thought. “So you want a fairytale engagement, Jenna? Fine. I’ll make it unforgettable for you. I’ll give your big day a little extra sparkle.”

The night before her engagement party, I sent Zach a message.

[Zach, I know I made a mistake. I shouldn’t have pushed Miss Wilczek that day. I’ve prepared a gift to apologize. I’d like to give it to her during the party, in front of everyone, and say I’m sorry to her in person. Would that be okay?]

His reply came fast. He seemed relieved

[Cathy, I’m glad you’ve finally come around. Get some rest tonight. I’ll come pick you up in the morning.]

On the day of the engagement party, after the host’s toast, Jenna took the microphone. She looked straight at me from the stage with a grin.

Her voice was saccharinely sweet as she said, “Everyone, knowing it’s my engagement, Cathy has prepared a special gift for me today. She insisted on giving it to me in front of everyone as a gesture of apology and blessing. Let’s welcome her to the stage!”

Every eye in the room turned toward me.

I smiled and walked to the stage under the weight of their stares.

Jenna took my hand affectionately.

“Friends from the press, be sure to capture this touching and heartwarming moment! Now, Cathy, where is your gift?”

I saw the sea of cameras pointed at me. I tightened my grip on the microphone and took a breath.

“Jenna, I prepared this surprise just for you. I hope you’ll always remember this moment of happiness.”

I gave the cue to the staff. A second later, the screen behind us lit up. The room went dead silent.