She Said Yes To Her Cheating Ex’s Rival

"Ms. Swan, the results show that you have sleep deprivation as a result of poor sleep. You should ensure to get enough rest. Also, you should be more careful in your diet and exercise." As she spoke, the doctor continued writing on the white paper, listing the medication Gracie needed. After some time, she handed Gracie the paper. "We have a pharmacy outside. Please buy this medication and take them regularly." Gracie Swan took the paper, and stood up. "I will. Thank you, doctor." "You must be careful, okay?" The doctor's eyes flashed with worry. "Don't worry, doctor. I'll take care of myself. Thanks again," Gracie replied and smiled. After buying the medicine, Gracie left the hospital and went to her car. "Ma'am, there is still twenty minutes before your fiancé’s arrival. Do you want to go somewhere else first before going home?" The driver asked, looking at her through the rearview mirror. "Let's go to the boutique then." Gracie couldn't wipe the smile off her face. Just the thought of seeing her fiancé Clive Jones, again after a long time made her feel ecstatic. Clive Jones, her boyfriend of four years and now her fiancé, had been on a business trip for almost a month, and she dearly missed him. Since Clive hasn’t arrived yet, Gracie decided to check out her wedding gown before going back home. She and Clive’s wedding was going to take place in the ending of the month. As the driver made his way to the boutique, a news popped on Gracie’s phone. The headline caught her eye before she even realized what she was looking at. [Popular CEO, Clive Jones, and Winnie Fred spotted coming out of an hotel. Could they be in a relationship?] Gracie’s heart stopped, a sharp ache spreading through her chest. She sat frozen, staring at her phone screen as if it had betrayed her. Clive and her best friend Winnie, who worked as a secretary at Clive’s jewelry company, dressed to perfection, glowing as if the world revolved around them. They stood close, smiling at each other with an intimacy that that turned her stomach. The photos were everywhere. Winnie’s hand lightly brushed his arm, a soft, deliberate touch, and Clive’s gaze lingered on her face, warm and familiar. They looked like a perfect couple, the kind you'd see on the cover of a magazine, radiating elegance and charm. And to think Clive told her he was on a business trip. This wasn't business. It was something else. Gracie scrolled further in the post, her hands trembling as she read the article. The words painted a nauseating picture of their chemistry, their "undeniable connection." Each sentence felt like a knife twisting deeper into her chest. She dropped her phone onto the car seat as her vision blurred. Her chest tightened, and for a moment, Gracie couldn't breathe. As far as she knew, Clive didn't bring Winnie with him for this business trip, so it could only mean one thing.. they were dating secretly… Gracie thought of all her hard work in lifting Clive’s company to be among the top three best in the country. As a good jewelry designer, she worked behind the scene, creating unique designs while Clive took the credit as the creator and designer. She rested her hand gently on her chest, closing her eyes as she took a slow, deep breath. After everything she did for Clive, she didn't deserve this. How dare he? Turning to the driver, she said. “Take me to C&D Jewelry company.” The driver nodded as he changed his location. After getting to the company, Gracie made her way into the company’s building while the driver waited for her. The sleek lobby buzzed with activity, the staff greeting her politely but with surprised glances. Gracie clutched her purple bag tightly in her hand. She stopped a passing employee and asked, "Is Mr. Jones in his office?" "Yes, ma'am, but you can't go in right now," the employee responded. "Why not? I'm his fiancée,"Gracie said firmly, narrowing her eyes. The woman hesitated, shifting uncomfortably. “Fiancée? What are you taking about? Ms. Winnie is Mr. Jones’s fiancée. Moreover, Mr. Jones has an important visitor, and he doesn't want to be disturbed now." Gracie blinked, stunned. "Winnie is Clive’s fiancée? How? When? An important visitor? Who?" The employee avoided Gracie’s gaze, her voice faltering. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I can't say. Please leave.” Gracie’s chest tightened, anger simmering beneath her shock. Clive hadn't even told her he was back from his so-called business trip. "But I'm his fiancée,” Gracie repeated, more forcefully this time. But the employee only shook her head. "This is not the first time that different women come here to meet Mr. Jones because they like him, but you among them is the shameless one, even lying to be his fiancée. Before I call the security and embarrass you, please leave on your own and never come back here.” Gracie clenched her jaw and nodded, forcing herself self to appear calm. "Fine," she said, her voice clipped. But she wasn't leaving. She waited until the employee walked away before going into the hallway leading to Clive’s office. The sound of her heels resonates in her ears as she approach the door to Clive’s office. She cast a fleeting glance around the large marble hall that glitters with crystal chandeliers and ornate gold frames. Three years ago, Gracie won first place a jewelry competition and her life seems to be perfect. However, the night of the jewelry competition, she’d woken up in an empty hotel room with a heavy hangover. She didn't know how she ended up there, but when she left the room, intimate pictures of her and the Jewelry store manager at her company, circulated all over the internet and magazines, framing her for being a homewrecker. No one would believe her when she said she knew nothing about it. She felt no different that morning, meaning nothing had happened between them but an impression formed was too hard to erase. Her manager wanted nothing to do with her, and Gracie got sacked. As her boyfriend at the time, Clive still decided to proposed to her despite her scandal, and that truly saved her from the darkest hellhole. His perfect act of love blinded her so much that she trusted him so fast. Clive told Gracie to become his designer in private, and Gracie blindly agreed because she loved him. And now after everything, she still couldn’t believe that Clive would cheat on her and even with her best friend, Winnie. The door was slightly ajar, and Gracie hesitated for a brief moment, her heart pounding. A part of her knew she shouldn't look, that whatever she saw would only hurt me more. But curiosity and pain pushed her forward. She peeked inside-and the air was knocked out of me. Clive sat on his desk, and Winnie was in his arms. Their faces were close, far too close. Then, as if on cue, his lips met hers. Gracie’s breath hitched. It felt like her entire world had collapsed in an instant. They kissed, completely oblivious to the world around them. The way Clive’s hand rested on Winnie’s waist, the way Winnie’s smile melted into his-it was as if nothing else mattered. Something tightens in Gracie’s chest, and burning fire of rage ignites within her as she watched Clive’s fingers play with the fabric of Winnie’s dress. She had been a fool thinking Clive loved her, not knowing he had been deceiving her all this while and she continue helping him in creating more unique designs. Before Gracie barged in, she heard Winnie’s voice. “Clive, are you still going ahead with the wedding with Gracie, despite in love with me? I cannot bear to see you with her?” Winnie asked. “Of course not, baby. You know she’s my designer, so loosing her will affect this company. I’m only with her for the benefits of this company after all . What made you think I didn’t let everyone at the office know she was the designer and took the credit instead? Once she wins the competition tomorrow, and we have tons of investment opportunities, I will dump her and get married to you instead. But for now, I’ll continue to play a good fiancé so she won’t suspect anything.” Clive responded. “Okay. Gracie is so stupid thinking you’re so in love with her. She didn’t even know I was the one that destroyed her career at the night of the jewelry competition, and drugged her drink, making it seem as though she slept with her manager at her work. She’s easy to deceive. Haha!” Winnie laughed. “I mean, who wouldn’t be in love with a handsome guy like me? Besides, which guy in his right senses would even marry her after her scandal three years ago?” Clive asked and also laughed. Wow… so Winnie was the person behind the scandal three years ago that ruined her career? Gracie scratched her palm until she felt blood coming out of it. Back then, Winnie and Clive were the only people that stood by her, and she thought they truly cared for her, but now it was like a blow to her face knowing the truth. She had really been stupid indeed. But not anymore now…. As the sound of kissing continued between Winnie and Clive, Gracie left. This b***h and scumbag could dream on if they think she was a tool to be used and thrown away anymore. Gracie would make sure to prove to them that she was not the right person to be used. As for the jewelry competition holding the following day, she’ll make sure they never benefited from it. She rushed back to the car and went back home. called her driver to come take her back home.