Then, I threatened to commit suicide, went on a hunger strike, and even ran away from home, forcing my parents to finally relent and agree to my marriage.
On our wedding day, my parents cried their hearts out, not out of joy like most but out of sheer heartbreak.
I, however, felt like I was the happiest person alive.
This marriage was something I had fought for, risking everything, even my family's love.
And yet, this man, who I thought would be my forever, had trampled it all into the dirt.
When we got married, Sabrina attended.
I thought she was just Ethan's cousin, completely unaware that she was his childhood sweetheart.
They had grown up together in the countryside, inseparable from the start.
I had no clue when they rekindled their relationship or if it ever even ended.
Perhaps Ethan had targeted me from the beginning, planning all along to use me to change the fate of his entire village.
And true to form, the moment Ethan took the helm at the Stone Group, his first order of business was to push forward a building project in his hometown.
It was a financial black hole, a surefire way to lose money.
He wanted to build skyscrapers on worthless land, just so the villagers could live better lives.
I was so furious.
As he sat at his desk, diligently drafting his proposal, the red imprints of my hand still visible on his face, he worked out numbers so ridiculous it was as if he were dreaming.
It was clear that, to lead his village to prosperity, this man was willing to sacrifice everything, even his dignity.
"Mr. Collins, with figures like these, the board will never approve it," the secretary Andy remarked, glancing at the absurd proposal.
Ethan gave him a sharp look. "I'm the CEO. What I say goes."
