Chapter 3
896 Words
Even knowing he was putting on an act, Daisy still felt a sting in her nose when she heard those words.
In truth, that question had been her way of giving James one last chance.
Unfortunately...
She smiled faintly. "Then what kind of woman do you like?"
The words had barely left her mouth when James wrapped an arm around his secretary, Luna, without the slightest hesitation and kissed her hair.
"Someone like Luna, of course. She's smart, adorable, and thoughtful. She takes care of everything for me."
Luna naturally leaned into James' embrace. A sweet smile spread across her face, but her eyes quietly flicked toward Daisy with undisguised provocation.
Watching the scene unfold, Daisy suddenly laughed.
Back then, she had truly believed James was in love with Luna.
After all, he remembered Luna's birthday and never failed to send her birthday wishes the moment the clock struck midnight every year.
It seemed as though he devoted all his attention to her.
Even now, seeing the two of them holding hands still made Daisy's heartache.
But more than anything...
She found it laughable.
Everything James had done had merely been an attempt to get Daisy's attention.
Luna had been nothing more than a prop in his performance.
At that instant, Daisy realized that all the resentment she'd carried for so many years had been nothing but a joke.
Forget it.
None of it mattered anymore.
When James opened the eighth gift box, everything would come to an end.
The birthday party soon came to a close.
Daisy headed to the parking garage alone to get her car.
Just as she was about to get in, she caught Luna's reflection in the side mirror.
Before Daisy could think any further, she got into the driver's seat and was about to start the car when Luna stepped in front of it.
"Daisy, you may have money, but don't tell me you actually think money can buy love."
During the birthday party, Luna had looked at her with obvious jealousy.
Now Daisy finally understood why.
She replied calmly, "So? What are you trying to say?"
Luna bit her lip. "You bought James all those gifts, but has he ever really looked at you? Just give up already. James has always loved me. He takes me everywhere he goes, whether it's work or his personal life. Have some self-respect and stop trying to come between us!"
Although Luna was only James' secretary, she was allowed to call him by such an intimate nickname.
In the past, that would have broken Daisy's heart.
Now...
She only pitied Luna for being nothing more than a pawn.
Daisy couldn't even be bothered to argue.
"If that's all, I'm leaving."
With that, she released the parking brake.
Luna panicked and suddenly threw herself onto the hood of the car, startling even Daisy.
"What are you pretending not to care for?!" Luna shouted. "Do you know what everyone says about you? They laugh at you for throwing yourself at a man who doesn't even want you!
"You're a woman! How can you have so little shame? Don't mistake kindness for weakness. This is my final warning... stay away from James!"
Daisy had never imagined that the gentle, quiet Luna she knew could be like this behind closed doors.
But she couldn't be bothered to respond.
Because James was standing behind Luna with a dark expression on his face.
Noticing Daisy's gaze fixed behind her, Luna instinctively turned around.
The moment she saw James, her legs nearly gave out beneath her.
"James... I... it's not what it looks like! She... Daisy... she tried to hit me with her car first! I only said those things because I panicked!
"James, you have to believe me!"
The gloom on James' face disappeared in an instant.
He affectionately tapped Luna on the nose.
"Of course, I know you're not that kind of person. I was just wondering why you hadn't come back yet. I thought you'd gotten lost. Come on. I'll take you home."
As he spoke, he took Luna's hand.
Only then did Luna finally relax.
What she didn't notice... was that James' eyes had been on Daisy the entire time.
Even while holding Luna's hand, he never once looked away from Daisy.
Sitting inside her car, Daisy couldn't help letting out a cold laugh.
Only after learning the truth did she realize how terrible James' acting really was.
People always said there were two things in this world that couldn't be hidden...
a sneeze...
and love.
Everything James felt for her had long since been written in his eyes.
She had simply failed to see it.
But now...
She no longer cared.
If anything, it disgusted her.
Whenever she thought back to those years...
To the years when he clearly loved her, yet deliberately kept her hanging and intentionally pushed her toward other men...
She felt sick to her stomach.
Why had she been forced to endure so much ridicule and so many cold stares just because he wanted to test her?
If this was what James called love...
She wanted no part of it.
Pushing those thoughts aside, Daisy started the car and drove away.
After all, she'd soon be entering an arranged marriage.
And, as fate would have it...
It was with the very same man James had planned to introduce to her next.
- Writer
