No Ring, No Rights

The moment those words left my mouth, Carina burst into tears and ran out.

Simon shoved me, his eyes burning with hatred. "Francesca, watch your mouth! If you frighten Carina, you're dead!"

With that, he stormed out without so much as a backward glance.

When Carina returned to the auction, she was cradled in Simon's arms. Her lips were swollen and red, while a vivid love bite had bloomed on Simon's neck.

In my past life, Simon had always maintained the facade of a devoted husband in public. This was the first time he had openly humiliated me. The room held its breath, waiting for my outburst.

Even after Simon carefully set Carina down, his expression seemed oddly expectant. However, minutes passed, and my silence remained.

A cold smirk twisted his lips. "Hmph. At least you've learned your place and now know that your tantrums are useless."

I had come to the auction for the ruby necklace. The intent was to gift it to myself for the wedding. Despite this, even when the event ended, the piece never appeared.

As the auction came to its conclusion, I made my way to the exit only for Simon to abruptly grab my arm.

"I don't see your chauffeur today, Miss Wilbur. I suppose I could be generous and give you a ride."

I was not about to refuse a free ride, but when I moved toward the backseat, he blocked the passenger side door.

"You take the rear," he commanded before proceeding to help Carina into the front seat.

"Sorry about this," she simpered, "Simon knows I get carsick easily."

I settled into the backseat without sparing any comment. It had been where I had intended to sit.

Their flirtatious laughter filled the entire ride. At a red light, Carina coaxed him to feed her milk, their faces drawing dangerously close until the car practically thrummed with tension.

Suddenly, Simon shoved her away, as if remembering my presence. When he saw me gazing indifferently out the window, his expression darkened inexplicably.

As I exited the car at my residence, he did something unprecedented. He grabbed my wrist again.

He shoved a set of cups he had gotten from the auction into my arms.

"Enough with this indifferent act. Consider these your wedding gift," he said, tone dripping with condescension. "I’ll give you your wedding as long as you behave. At least to the outside world, you’ll be seen as my wife."

Curiosity got the better of me. "Then who are you planning to marry legally? Your precious Carina?"

Simon’s anger flared, yet a twisted satisfaction simmered beneath it.

"Ha! I knew you were faking it. Listen here, there will not be a word of this to either of our parents. Otherwise, there won't even be a wedding.”

"What Carina and I have is beyond your understanding. She’s only working to pay off her family’s debts, unlike you with your cheap schemes. Hurt her, and you’ll regret it."

I nearly laughed. Men truly were pathetic creatures.

For millennia, they had been obsessed with "saving" fallen women as if it were some noble calling.

Without another word, I turned and walked away.

The moment I stepped inside, a notification popped up. Carina had sent a video.

The footage showed Simon fastening a necklace around her neck with reverent care. My stomach dropped, it was the ruby piece that had mysteriously vanished from the auction. The one I had wanted.

It looked like he had acquired it privately.