Marrying Without You

How Could He Humiliate Her Like This?

Rosalyn was taking a break in the pantry when she overheard several colleagues gossiping excitedly.

"Did you hear?! Eric Hammond, Cromwell's most eligible bachelor, is getting married!"

"Yeah! I mean, I was shocked when the announcement came at midnight, and I couldn't sleep after that. It really begs the question… who's the lucky gal?"

She knew Eric, having met him a few times, and on each occasion, he had helped her.

The first time was when Rosalyn's car had a flat tire, and he just happened to pass by and helped her change to a spare.

The other occasion was when she was having dinner with a client—the man got a little drunk and was about to get handsy with her, but Eric took her away, protecting both her dignity and the contract.

There were actually more instances, but her memory of those was fuzzy.

Either way, that meant she owed the man quite a few favors.

She ought to send a congratulatory present for his wedding, even if he might not remember her.

"When is he getting hitched?" Rosalyn asked as she made herself a cup of coffee.

"Just next week—the same day Mr. Grant's getting married!"

Rosalyn's hand twitched, splashing the coffee and scalding her own hand.

Still, she quickly recovered and told her colleagues, "Take your time."

As she left, she could still hear them talking behind her.

"Why would you mention Mr. Grant's wedding? You know Ms. Jones is hurting."

"Poor Ms. Jones, staying with Mr. Grant for so many years, and everything she's helped him achieve is now going to some other woman."

"Urgh, men are just the worst. But Mr. Hammond's different—he's so loyal, sticking with the one he's had a secret crush on for ten years…"

-

In the afternoon, Rosalyn got a call from Carl. "You're coming with me later."

"Yes, Mr. Grant."

Rosalyn didn't bother to ask where they were going, because she would have to go either way.

It was just pointless to ask, and at this point, she would rather not talk to him if she could help it.

She closed the checklist of tasks to be handed over, cleaned her desk, and soon joined Carl.

His car stopped outside Quayle Mansion once more, and Zoe was skipping happily toward Carl before throwing herself into his arms, giving him a large smooch on the cheek.

Carl remained composed throughout, even smiling as he took her hand. "Get in."

As Zoe did, she looked at Rosalyn and said, "We're going to the wedding boutique to try out dresses, Ms. Jones. You should pick a bridesmaid dress while we do."

So she just wanted Rosalyn to witness their happiness ahead of the wedding.

As Carl and Zoe got into the backseat, Zoe leaned completely on Carl like she had not a single bone in her body, purring, "Did you see the news, Carl? Eric Hammond is getting married, and on the same day as us! Don't you think he's doing it on purpose, to steal our thunder?"

Eric and Carl were both giants in the city of Cromwell, but Eric had both power and money, while Carl only had money.

Still, Carl softly assured Zoe, "Don't worry about it. Everyone will be watching you when that day comes."

Rosalyn glanced at him in the rearview mirror, not quite remembering when he had ever been this protective of her feelings.

"Oh, you're the best, Carl! I really regret that we had to miss the past seven years."

Zoe pursed her lips, as if saddened, but soon beamed as brightly as the sun. "But I'm lucky that you were loving me throughout all those years! Thank you, Carl!"

As she leaned toward Carl to kiss him, Rosalyn turned away.

Even if she had completely stopped loving Carl and had given up on him, the lingering pain still hurt.

That was when Zoe suddenly asked, "By the way, you've been with other women during that time, right?"

Rosalyn's heart skipped a beat at the sensitive question, her fingers shuddering as she held her phone.

She looked up at the rearview mirror again, and their eyes met, as if he noticed her looking.

But even as he looked into her eyes, he was assuring the other woman beside him, "No, don't listen to hearsay."

However, Zoe smiled. "I mean, it's fine even if it's true—all men have needs, right?"

Her magnanimity really broke Rosalyn's perception of people, though she could also tell that Zoe was just humiliating her on purpose.

After all, Zoe's eyes were glued to Rosalyn.

"Let's stop talking about that," Carl said evasively just then.

"Why not? Did you fall in love?" Zoe asked stubbornly.

"No," Carl replied. "Sex and love are separate for men."

That left Rosalyn's heart clenching—he had just admitted that she was a tool he used to satiate his libido.

He had cause not to love her and not to marry her, but how could he humiliate her like this?