It was reduced to ruins, and everything inside was gone.
That day, I experienced both great joy and profound sorrow.
I finally succeeded in my career, but my father was gone.
When I felt utterly hopeless, the little black snake crawled out from the grass at my feet.
It had escaped from home while playing and had avoided the disaster.
I wept as I held it tightly in my arms.
At that time, Joyce and I had just started dating. I didn't dare to tell her about my background, fearing that my impoverished past would earn her disdain.
But that day, unable to contain my pain, I revealed everything to her.
I thought she would break up with me, but instead, when she heard my story, her eyes turned red as she embraced me and softly promised to stand by my side for life.
At that moment, my eyes welled with tears, and I swore to myself.
I would treat Joyce well for the rest of my life.
Little did I expect that in just three years, she would change her heart.
…
I still had many wedding invitations I had painstakingly made in my bag, and at that moment, I took them all out and threw them into the trash can.
Joyce's expression changed dramatically when she sensed my silence.
Finally, she gritted her teeth and grabbed my arm.
"Colten, you said you would treat me well for the rest of your life. Have you forgotten it?"
Her petite figure stood before me, and I looked down just to see her pouting lips and reddened eyes.
Normally, I would have softened at this sight.
But now, I felt completely exhausted, as if all my love for her had been drained away in the chaos.
I tugged slightly and pulled my sleeve free from her grip.
"Joyce, you said the same thing to me.
"But how have you treated me? You stewed the little black snake my dad left for the sake of Grayson. That's how you treat me?
"And since Grayson returned from abroad, what have you and he been up to behind my back this past six months? Do you think I know nothing about it?"
Joyce's body stiffened instantly as she looked up at me in disbelief.
"Colten, did you have someone investigate me?
"I'm your fiancee, but you don't trust me?"
Facing her question, I gave her a disappointed glance and let out a cold laugh.
"Joyce, you paid for everything you bought for Grayson with my card, and the bank notifications are all coming to my phone. Do I still need to investigate you specifically?"