chapter 2

I sighed, putting on a look of melancholy.

The remark caught the attention of everyone at the engagement party, and whispers about Caleb's shamelessness spread quickly.

Mom looked ready to intervene, but I held her hand.

I wanted to see just how shameless Yasmin could be, and this was the perfect chance to embarrass her in front of Vindtorp's elite.

As expected, Yasmin frowned and raised her voice, clearly displeased. "Amelia, Caleb is just a little distracted. Once you're married, everything will be fine. How could you break off the engagement over such a trivial matter?"

I sneered. A trivial matter?

The groom wasn't even here, and I, as the bride, was left to face all the guests alone.

How could she call that trivial?

Then, Yasmin tried to guilt-trip me. "Besides, Simone is carrying Caleb's child. I've seen the ultrasound, and the baby's profile is clear—it's a boy.

"Once he's born, he'll be the legitimate heir of the Clarke family. How can you, as Caleb's legal wife, be so unforgiving?"

Seriously? Hundreds of years had passed since the 18th century, yet she was still clinging to those outdated ways.

I scoffed inwardly.

One couldn't expect pearls from swine. Even in this second life, she was still repeating the same lines.

Just then, the doors swung open, and Caleb walked in with Simone.

The atmosphere around Caleb changed instantly. He carried the aura of someone in power.

It reminded me of the later years of Caleb in my previous life.

Had he also been reborn?

He picked up the microphone and led Simone onto the stage, his arm around her waist, smiling with affection. "I have an announcement. I'm officially breaking off my engagement with Ms. Hardin.

"Today, this is the engagement party for me and the lady by my side, Simone Turner. Enjoy the food and drinks, everyone!"

I noticed immediately that when Simone heard Caleb call her "lady," the smile on her surgically enhanced face stiffened slightly. Her eyes darted nervously, glancing at her former sugar daddies who had supported her.

How amusing.

In my previous life, it was today that I got engaged to Caleb.

Simone, afraid she wouldn't become his legitimate wife, had acted recklessly.

She pretended to hang herself at home, attempting suicide to force Caleb to take responsibility.

Before taking her own life, she called Caleb in a pitiful, sorrowful voice. "Cale, happy wedding. The baby and I are going somewhere very far away."

But the rope was tied too tightly, and she accidentally kicked over the stool beneath her. Her fake suicide turned into a real death.

Caleb ignored all the guests and walked off, leaving me behind.

I had to keep up appearances and host the entire engagement party alone, with no groom by my side.

Many people secretly mocked me, saying a wealthy heiress like me couldn't compare to a call girl at a club.

I knew it was true.

Caleb had met Simone at a club during a social event.

She fit every cliché. She came from a troubled background—her father was a gambler, her mother was sick, and her younger brother was still in school.

She had only just started working as a call girl and didn't know much yet.

Combined with her innocent and pitifully charming face, it was inevitable that Caleb would fall for her.

But Caleb didn't know that the child she was carrying wasn't his.

If he ever discovered the truth, would he still love Simone and stay with her for life?

…

The crowd below wasn't cheering or complimenting Caleb like he had expected—only a deadly silence.

It was unbearably quiet, so silent that even a pin dropping would echo, the stillness almost comical in its intensity.

Caleb didn't let the awkward silence linger.

He raised his hands and started clapping—but no one joined in.

I couldn't help but smirk.

At that moment, a wealthy young man from the audience whistled at Simone. "Hey! Didn't you say you were carrying my child and wanted me to marry you?"

Simone trembled, barely able to stand, and looked at Caleb with a mix of fear and grievance. "Cale, I didn't…"

Caleb gently patted her shoulder and looked at her affectionately. "I know, Simi."

Then he turned fierce, glaring at the wealthy young man like a protective lion.

"Even if you're jealous that I have a girlfriend like Simi, don't talk nonsense. Believe me, I'll make you regret it!"

The wealthy young man scoffed. "Jealous of you? Are you kidding? Without the Hardin family's capital injection, your family will be finished. What's with all the big-shot act?"