Rejected and Abandoned, Until the Right Man Found MeChapter 1
To avenge his first love, Mathias Rocco vowed to teach me a lesson.
So, I was drugged and thrown into the bed of a pot-bellied, balding businessman like discarded trash.
Days later, Mathias finally remembered my existence.
"Irene, if you know what’s good for you, come back this instant," he ordered over the phone, his voice cold with entitlement.
"Otherwise, our engagement…."
A deep, lazy voice cut in with mockery. "Irene’s been quite exhausted these past few nights," the man drawled, his words carrying an unmistakable meaning. "Also…."
"Don’t wait for a wedding invitation. Irene feels sick just looking at you."
…
As the auction hall lit up, my eyes landed on Mathias, his fingers clenched around a wine glass, crushing it in his grip.
Shards of glass tore into his palm, crimson dripping onto the pristine tablecloth.
I gasped, instinctively stepping forward to check his injury, but he shoved me away, widening the distance between us.
It was then that I followed his gaze toward a woman in a plain white dress. The fabric was cheap and unremarkable, yet it did nothing to conceal her beauty. She stood there, frozen, staring at him like the world had just stopped.
A name surfaced in my mind.
Nathalia Cavendish.
Mathias’ first love. The woman who, when he had nothing, stripped him of what little he had left and vanished overseas without a trace.
I had once stumbled upon an old, yellowed photo album, flipping through snapshots of them together, his youthful adoration, her effortless charm.
And now, standing there, I finally understood.
The custom-tailored suit flown in from France, the platinum cufflinks, luxurious yet understated, and even his hair, styled to perfection by a professional.
This wasn't just any night.
He had been waiting for her.
Mathias looked devastatingly handsome, every inch of him exuding elegance and refinement.
Yet, I knew the truth; he had always despised dressing like this.
But tonight was different. Before leaving, he had stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his suit, smoothing his cufflinks, and scrutinizing every detail with uncharacteristic care.
I had seen the flicker of unease in his eyes. I had mistaken it for excitement.
Turns out, he had known all along.
He had known that Nathalia would be here tonight.