Dancing on My Broken Heart

On Valentine's Day, Benjamin proposed to me at the nightclub where I worked. Looking at the diamond ring on my finger, I thought I was the happiest woman in the world. But the next day, I saw him tenderly embracing a wealthy heiress. When I confronted him, he looked at me with disdain. "That proposal was just a joke. You're just a nightclub hostess; how could you possibly be worthy of me?" He allowed his fiancée to humiliate me in every way, and all he told me was to endure it. When he saw me chatting and laughing with New York's richest man, he regretted his actions and shamelessly begged for my forgiveness. Unfortunately, it was already too late. ***** "Ava, Mr. Taylor is here again, and he specifically asked for you!" I had just finished entertaining guests in a private room and was feeling terrible when the nightclub manager pulled me toward another room. Benjamin was sitting quietly inside, the table already littered with empty wine bottles. He beckoned me over when I entered. "I'm in a bad mood today. Have a drink with me!" He poured me a glass of wine and handed it to me. Even though my stomach was burning, I couldn't help but accept the drink. Benjamin was a special customer to me, and I didn't want to refuse him. "It's Valentine's Day. Why are you here instead of on a date?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but my heart was pounding. He often brought clients here to discuss business, but I had never seen another woman by his side. Every time he came, he asked for me, but he was always gentle and courteous, unlike other customers who would get drunk and try to grope. Occasionally, he would give me small gifts. Everyone at the nightclub said he was pursuing me, and I also felt that I was special in his heart. "Date? What date!" he mumbled, pulling me into his arms and downing another glass of wine. After a while, he fished a ring box out of his suit pocket with drunken eyes and grabbed my hand. My heart raced. "What's this for?" "Put on the ring, and you'll be my wife!" He drunkenly slipped the ring onto my finger. "Hmm... a little loose." Benjamin was about to take the ring back, but I held onto it, tears of joy welling up in my eyes. "It's okay, I... I do." He laughed heartily, shedding his usual gentle demeanor, and kissed me passionately. He pulled me out of the private room and shouted to the entire nightclub, "She said yes! I have a wife!" The nightclub erupted in cheers. Looking at the envious eyes of the other girls, I felt like the happiest woman in the world. God had blessed me for once. After taking away my happy family, it had given me Benjamin. ***** I was originally a wealthy young lady, growing up carefree under my parents' care. Just as I was preparing for university, my father's business went bankrupt due to a failed investment. As debts piled up and everything we had gained over the years vanished, my father couldn't bear the blow and jumped from the roof of his company building. Creditors relentlessly came to our house, pressuring my mother and me. Seeing my mother, who had fallen ill due to our family's drastic change in fortune, I resolutely decided to give up my studies and shoulder the heavy burden. With only a high school diploma, it was impossible for me to find a decent job. So, I set my sights on becoming a nightclub hostess, a fast-money and low-barrier industry. When I first started, I was furious when a customer groped me and threw a drink at him. He became enraged and slapped me hard. Just when I thought I was going to end up bruised and battered, Benjamin appeared. He stopped the customer and shielded me behind him. "I'll compensate you for her dirtying your clothes. How could you grope her?" Looking at his tall, straight back, I fell in love with him at that moment. After that, he often came to see me and even taught me how to refuse drinks and flatter customers. With my attractive appearance and refined conversation, my income soared after meeting him. Many customers would ask for me to accompany them when discussing business. I gradually gained a foothold in the nightclub and began to slowly repay our debts. Benjamin was a financial elite, and the people he interacted with were all prominent figures. When I accompanied him to social events, I often felt ashamed of myself, but he would always pat me on the back reassuringly and say, "Don't worry, I've got your back!" He was like a superhero in my mind, illuminating my life during my darkest and most desperate moments. And now, this hero was finally mine. ***** After spending a blissful night with Benjamin, I woke up in bed. Looking around, I saw that the room was decorated in a minimalist American style, just like Benjamin himself, making it feel comfortable. Benjamin wasn't beside me. I saw our scattered clothes and began tidying up with a shy smile. I would be the owner of this house from now on. The thought of it made me happy. Just then, Benjamin walked in, phone in hand. He froze when he saw me. "Why are you still here?" I walked gracefully towards him and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm helping you tidy up the room!" He turned his head away awkwardly. "I'll take care of the rest. You... should go now." 'Maybe he isn't used to my change in status yet!' I nodded understandingly, gathered my things, and left. As soon as I reached the roadside and fumbled for my keys, I realized they were missing. "I must have left them at his place," I muttered to myself and turned back. I hadn't walked far when I saw Benjamin's figure. I was about to approach him with a joyful expression when I saw him open the door of a parked car and embrace the girl who got out. They were whispering intimately to each other. I was stunned. I hurried over and patted Benjamin on the shoulder. "What's going on?" Benjamin's expression turned calm when he turned around to see me. He held the girl even tighter. "As you can see, Ava, this is my fiancée, Emma Brown."