Never Lonely Again

Jaycie froze mid-step before turning her head to see who had called out to her. It was one of her father's former business partners, who had once begged for a collaboration with him. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

She didn't want to reveal her identity and was trying to figure out how to slip away unnoticed when one of the guys trailing behind Cole glanced her up and down and let out a mocking laugh.

"Did he say Ms. Stanton? He wants to pitch a business idea to Jaycie? Look at her—she's obviously a nobody. How could she be involved in any kind of business? What a joke."

His words sparked a wave of laughter. They weren't speaking in Frutunian, so Jaycie could clearly understand their ridicule. Still, she kept her expression neutral, showing no reaction.

Cole, however, wasn't as composed. He shot the guy a cold, warning glare. The man, sensing he'd crossed a line, quickly toned down his mockery, and the others, catching Cole's sharp look, gradually fell silent.

The noise died down, and the man didn't follow them. Jaycie trailed behind Cole as they walked home in silence. Once inside, Cole hung his coat on the rack and finally broke the quiet.

"Babe, I won't take you to those kinds of gatherings anymore."

Her voice and expression remained calm, even though it felt like a subtle expulsion from his social circle. She simply asked, "Am I an embarrassment to you?"

He chuckled softly while reaching out to ruffle her hair, but she dodged his hand. Sighing, he explained, "What are you talking about? I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

"But there's a gap between us, Cole. Sooner or later, we'll face situations like this. Hasn't your family been pushing you to marry for alliances?" Jaycie watched him closely, searching for any hint of guilt in his expression.

At the mention of an arranged marriage, Cole's face stiffened for a moment before he quickly regained his composure. "Jaycie, all you need to know is that I love you. Nothing else matters. As for the other issues, I will find ways to handle them."

If she hadn't been paying close attention, she might have missed the flicker of unease in his eyes. After speaking, Cole headed to the bathroom to wash up. As she watched him walk away, she couldn't help but wonder if what he meant by "handling other issues" was marrying one woman according to his family's wishes while keeping another on the side.

Not far away, Cole's phone on the nightstand buzzed with a notification. Since she knew his passcode, she unlocked it easily and glanced at the message. It was from Eileen.

[Cole, we're meeting each other's parents tomorrow. If you don't stay with me tonight, they might figure out our coming marriage is a sham. I know you love your girlfriend, but for the next few days, can you at least give me some dignity?]

Though the message sounded pleading, Jaycie saw through Eileen's intentions. She was using their parents as an excuse to keep Cole close. And what would come next? More excuses, more demands, until the lines blurred completely.

But none of that mattered to Jaycie anymore. She had already decided to leave. With a calm resolve, she marked the message as unread and placed the phone back where it belonged.

Moments later, Cole emerged from the bathroom and picked up his phone. After a quick glance, he turned to her with an apologetic look.

"Jaycie, something urgent came up at work. I need to head out tonight. Get some rest, okay?"

He left in a hurry, too preoccupied to notice her lack of reaction. In the past, she would have walked him to the door, pouting and complaining, hoping he'd stay a little longer. But this time, she simply watched him leave without a word.

The moment Cole was gone, her own phone buzzed with a message.

[With just one word from me, Cole comes running. Tomorrow, we're meeting each other's parents. Once we're married, what will you be? A secret mistress?]

Eileen's words were cruel, but what hurt Jaycie more was the realization that the knife being used to wound her had been handed over by the man she once thought she could trust with her life.

Cole might not have known, but even if she hadn't found the wedding invitation, his plans wouldn't have stayed hidden for long.

The day after she discovered the invitation, Eileen had found her on social media and had been bombarding her with taunting photos ever since—pictures of Cole helping her try on wedding dresses, of them picking out rings and touring wedding venues. Each image chipped away at her love for Cole until there was nothing left.

That night, Cole didn't return, and Jaycie didn't care. The next morning, she washed up, went to the office, and handed in her resignation.

During lunch, she ate with her colleagues, and when one of them jokingly asked if she was leaving to "inherit the family business", Jaycie simply nodded.

"Yeah, that is exactly what I’m gonna do."

Her colleagues laughed, thinking it was a joke. They didn't take her seriously, and Jaycie, reacting with a smile, didn't elaborate either. After lunch, she packed her belongings into a box and carried it home.

When she walked in, Cole was there. Seeing her with the box, he frowned. "You quit?"

She nodded before heading toward the bedroom. He stopped her, his brow furrowed. "But you loved that job. Why quit so suddenly?"

Jaycie paused, turning to him with a smile. "Because there's something else I want to do now."