Chapter 2 — Happiness in Hand

Xu Tran... has also been reborn. No wonder in our past life she and Tu Dich Than maintained no open connection, yet in this present life they became so intimate after mere days. They must have shared a tacit understanding, determined to use this second chance to mend their unfinished destiny. I lowered my gaze, recalling how after my marriage into the Tu household in my previous life, the Tu Corporation suddenly received countless business partnerships. Its wealth skyrocketed overnight, and before long, it ascended to become the wealthiest family in Northern Capital. The family elders were utterly convinced that I brought good fortune to my husband, growing ever more pleased with me and showering me with genuine kindness. Thus, even though Tu Dich Than always treated me with cold indifference, I foolishly believed I was a truly happy woman. That was until I stumbled upon those hidden photographs.

My mother stepped into my room, announcing that in five days, Tu Binh Khiem would finally return from abroad. I felt a brief surge of surprise. After all, in my past life, this uncle of Tu Dich Than had lived his entire life as a bachelor. I never imagined that the matrimonial alliance between us would proceed so smoothly. I only retained a hazy memory of him as a remarkably kind and dependable elder brother. Marrying him, at the very least, offered me a sense of profound security that no other man could ever provide.

The following morning, I arrived early at my fashion design studio within the company to refine the design of my wedding gown. Ever since my university days majoring in fashion design, I had poured my heart into crafting my own wedding dress. Yet back then, the man I was desperately determined to marry was Tu Dich Than. Consequently, every single detail had to conform to his preferences. He had never permitted me to incorporate any of the floral patterns or motifs that I truly adored. But in this lifetime, I could finally wear the wedding dress of my own choosing and marry someone entirely different.

Several days later, I completed the final touches on the gown and stepped into the lounge to rest. Soon after, I casually scrolled through a social media post uploaded by Xu Tran. In the photograph, the wedding dress I had just finished altering was mercilessly slashed in half, transformed into an ultra-short mini dress. She was wearing it, dancing intimately and brazenly in the arms of Tu Dich Than.

Brother Dich Than knew I lacked evening wear, so he specially brought this to me! Being spoiled like this is simply the greatest happiness!

Unable to believe my own eyes, I stormed directly up to the fifth floor where the dance party was being held. Xu Tran and Tu Dich Than were dancing with wild abandonment, their hips pressed tightly together in a suggestive, swaying rhythm.

How could you possibly wear my wedding dress! Who gave you permission to hand it over to her and ruin it like this!

Catching sight of me, Xu Tran instantly feigned absolute terror, crystal-clear tears spilling instantly from her eyes.

Brother Dich Than... did I do something wrong? Why does Sister Nam H hi look so furious... sob...

Tu Dich Than immediately stepped forward to shield her, his voice dripping with cold disdain as he snapped at me.

It is merely a wedding dress, what is the big deal anyway? You are going to wear it to marry me in the end anyway. What harm is there in letting Tran wear it to dance for a little while? Besides, I never liked this style in the first place. Just make a new one, stop making a scene and picking fights here!

I was utterly staggered by his boundless shamelessness.

Who told you this dress was meant for you to look at? This is the wedding gown I prepared for my own wedding ceremony!

Tu Dich Than let out a cold, mocking laugh and shook his head.

Stop putting on a show, Bach Nam H i. Isn't your wedding supposed to be my wedding as well? I have already agreed to marry you, so continuing this farce is entirely meaningless!

My gaze swept past a pair of sharp tailoring scissors resting on the nearby table. Snatching them up, I strode forward and ruthlessly sliced away the remaining skirt of Xu Tran's dress right down to the hem.

Tu Dich Than, if you are so utterly confident, then open your eyes wide and look closely! Filthy things, I no longer want them. A filthy person like you, I despise even more!

Tu Dich Than froze in place. In the past, no matter how fiercely angry I became, my reactions were limited to spoiled pouting and petty tantrums. Never before had I displayed such a merciless, resolute attitude. Instinctively, his hand shot out to pull me back, but at that exact moment, Xu Tran burst into piercing, heart-wrenching sobs.

Brother Dich Than... my leg... it feels like it has been scratched... it hurts so much, sob... but I am fine, please do not worry about me, hurry and go after Sister Nam H i... this is all my fault...

Tu Dich Than hesitated for a fraction of a second, glanced toward my retreating back, and then let out a harsh, contemptuous scoff.

Pay her no mind! A woman consumed by such blind jealousy needs to be taught a lesson so she can reflect on her own faults!

I stared down at the scattered fragments of fabric from the wedding gown still lingering in my hands. Silently, I wiped away a solitary tear. It was a terrible waste of all my painstaking effort. Yet, sacrificing a single wedding dress to completely see through the true nature of a man could also be considered a fortunate blessing.

Tonight was the grand family dinner, marking my very first official introduction to Tu Binh Khiem. A first impression demanded at least a semblance of composure and grace. I quickly refreshed my appearance, subdued the turbulence in my chest, and headed down to the underground parking garage.

From a distance, I noticed a luxury vehicle shaking violently. Drawing closer, I realized with a jolt that it was Tu Dich Than's Maserati. Through the partially ajar window, Tu Dich Than was holding Xu Tran on his lap. Her eyes were glazed with intoxication, her body constantly bouncing up and down. Even though I had long known Tu Dich Than held no love for me, stumbling upon such a raw, shameless spectacle still made my heart constrict painfully.

He opened his eyes and inadvertently locked gazes with me. A flash of momentary panic crossed his features, lasting merely a single second. Immediately afterward, he tucked a stray lock of hair behind Xu Tran's ear and leaned down for a deep, lingering kiss, as if deliberately trying to provoke and torment me. His movements grew increasingly frantic, and Xu Tran's soft, breathless moans echoed throughout the quiet garage.

I withdrew my gaze, turned away, and climbed into my own car, driving straight toward the ancestral estate of the Tu family. Along the way, I stopped to pick up the gift I had meticulously prepared for Tu Binh Khiem—a sophisticated silk tie. Upon arriving at the estate, I was struck by the coincidence of arriving at the exact same moment as Tu Dich Than. The instant he pushed open his car door, my eyes fell upon the front passenger seat, which was littered with used condom wrappers. Seeing the gift box in my hands, the fleeting expression of guilt on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a smug, triumphant smirk.

Did you even buy a gift for me as well? Let me see it.

Terrified that he might snatch it away, I quickly concealed the box behind my back.

This is not for you!