Out of the Deception
That day, the sunlight was especially generous, wrapping the entire city in a warm glow.
He wore a crisp white shirt, standing beneath the tall plane trees outside the office building, the shadows of the leaves softly dancing across him.
He smiled at me and waved; that moment felt like a carefully painted warm oil painting, deeply etched into my memory—impossible to forget.
Eventually, it just felt natural that we became a couple.
When we were in love, Jimmy Collins always said, "I'll take care of you for the rest of my life."
I worked late into the night, and he'd have a hot meal ready, quietly waiting for me downstairs; if I got sick, he'd stay by my side all night, tenderly caring for me; Whenever I was troubled and down, he would listen patiently and soothe me with gentle words.
At that time, my heart overflowed with dreams for the future—I truly believed I had finally found a happiness I could trust my whole life to.
But now I see that all those beautiful moments were nothing more than a carefully crafted lie he spun.
Last year, I was held captive by a group of unknown people for two weeks.
During those dark, endless days, my only hope was that Jimmy Collins would come to save me.
Every day, I quietly whispered his name in my heart, hoping he would show up.
But until my family found me and rescued me from that nightmare, I hadn't seen a trace of him.
It wasn't until later that I discovered while I was being held captive, he was using my family's resources to chase deals and build his career, completely ignoring my safety.
Tomorrow is our wedding day. I came to the villa to go over the final details, hoping to give this marriage the perfect start.
As I climbed the stairs to the second floor, I caught the faint sound of Jimmy Collins's voice from the master bedroom, mingled with a woman's laughter.
My heart clenched suddenly, a dark premonition washing over me.
I tiptoed over, carefully pushing open a crack in the door—what I saw hit me like a lightning strike: Jimmy Collins was holding a woman I knew, his company's intern Melody Scott, whose eyes hid a subtle, calculating gleam.
"Are you really going to marry Mia Lynn tomorrow?" Melody leaned into Jimmy's embrace, her voice tinged with a teasing, coquettish tone.
Jimmy let out a scoffing laugh, his voice thick with disdain: "Marry her? I'm only after her family's money and the Lynn Group's resources."
Once I get my hands on the Lynn Group shares and take control of the company, I'll divorce her. Then we can be together openly and without shame.
"So all those times you said you loved her—you were lying?" Melody Scott pressed on.
"Can sweet talk actually put food on the table?" Jimmy Collins sneered, "If I'd gone to rescue her when she was imprisoned, how would I have smoothly secured the Lynn Group's startup capital?"
My company wouldn't be where it is today without her being the 'big sucker.'
If her family weren't rich and influential, I wouldn't have wasted so much time on her.
I stood outside the door, feeling like my entire world was falling apart.
All those vows that once made my heart race turned out to be nothing but lies—I was just a stepping stone for his ambitions.
Anger and despair crashed over me like a tidal wave. I lost control, flung the door open, and stormed inside.
Jimmy Collins and Melody Scott jumped in surprise, quickly pulling apart in panic.
"Mia, what are you doing here?" Jimmy hastily tried to straighten his clothes, avoiding my eyes, too scared to meet my gaze.
Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably, my voice quivering with emotion: "Is everything you just said true?"
When I was locked up, you not only didn't come to rescue me, but you used my family's money for your own gain?
What exactly do you think I am to you?
His gaze darted nervously as he tried to explain, "I just felt those resources were going to waste sitting there, so I used them to grow my business..."
"And then what?" I cut him off sharply, my voice sharp as knives, "Once you got the shares, you'd toss me aside and be with Melody Scott?"
So, is there still any point in going through with tomorrow's wedding?
Melody Scott walked up to me, a mocking smile playing on her lips: "Mia Lynn, stop being so naive."
Jimmy Collins loves me—and your family's money.
Be smart and back off on your own. Don't wait until you make a scene and embarrass everyone.
I glared at Melody Scott in anger, then turned to Jimmy Collins and said, slow and steady, "I truly regret ever meeting you, and even more that I was blind enough to fall in love with a scumbag like you."
Then I spun around and ran out of the villa, tears whipping freely in the wind.
The cold wind cut across my face like knives, but the ache in my heart was far worse — the deeper my love for him had been, the deeper the pain now. I was the most foolish victim of this cruel betrayal.
Back in the empty apartment, I sank weakly onto the sofa.
On the wall hung a group photo of Jimmy Collins and me, where we smiled so happily — but now, those smiles were drenched in bitter irony.
I couldn't help but recall those early days after graduation, struggling together in S City.
Back then, we rented a damp little room barely bigger than a shoebox, squeezing into the rush-hour subway every day, living a tough, relentless life.
But back then, our hearts were full of hope for the future. We believed that as long as we were together, no tough days could break us.
I remember once when I had a high fever and felt completely drained.
Jimmy Collins, despite being exhausted late at night, carried me on his back for two kilometers and got me to the hospital.
He stayed by my side all night at the hospital. The next morning, his eyes were bloodshot, yet he still gently said, "Mia, once I'm capable, I'll make sure you have a good life. We'll buy a big house, and you'll be the happiest woman alive."
Back then, I believed his promises without hesitation.
I gladly stood by his side, introducing him to my family's resources and helping him expand his network.
But ever since he started working at that big company, rubbing shoulders with those powerful people and seeing their lavish lifestyles, he gradually changed.
He began looking down on the cheap clothes I wore, saying I was a disgrace to him; He looked down on my lack of so-called etiquette, making me feel ashamed in front of his friends; he started coming home later and later, growing colder and more distant toward me.
I kept telling myself he was just under too much pressure at work, and once his career settled down, he would return to being the gentle, caring man he once was.
But it wasn't until today that I realized his heart had long been consumed by fame and fortune, leaving no place for me at all.
Early the next morning, I got a call from Melody Scott. She wanted to meet.
I arrived at the cafe as planned, and when I saw Melody Scott, I was taken aback.
She was dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans, but dark bruises shadowed her eyes and her face was drawn and worn—completely unlike the woman I'd seen at the villa yesterday.
"What's wrong?" I couldn't help but ask.
Melody Scott gave a bitter smile, her voice husky: "Jimmy Collins hit me."
"After you left yesterday, he was in a bad mood and took it out on me."
I was stunned, never imagining Jimmy Collins would actually lay a hand on someone.
"Actually, I'm a victim too," Melody said as she took a sip of coffee, her voice full of helplessness. "At first, he was really good to me and even promised he'd marry me."
"My family wasn't well-off, and I'd always dreamed of living a wealthy life, so I was fooled by him."
Later, I realized he only used me to ease his loneliness. I wanted to walk away, but he threatened me, saying he would ruin me and even harm my family.
"Then why do you still stay with him?" I asked, confused.
"I have no choice," Melody Scott's tears fell. "I have only one daughter, and I can't let my family be hurt."
She wiped her tears and looked at me. "Mia Lynn, I know I've hurt you and broken your heart, but I was trapped. Jimmy Collins is a monster."
Watching Melody Scott in tears, my heart twisted with a mix of emotions.
Though she broke my heart, deep down, we were both victims of Jimmy Collins' lies and betrayal.
"I'll get you out of this," I said, locking eyes with her, determined. "We can't let him control you anymore. Together, we'll fight back."
Melody looked at me in surprise. "Don't you hate me?"
"I hate Jimmy, not you."
"Only by standing together can we break free from his grip." I replied.
We agreed that when Jimmy went out for an evening engagement, I'd come to the villa to pick her up.
But when I arrived at the villa as planned, I saw Jimmy Collins' car parked in the driveway—he had come back early.
"Mia Lynn, are you trying to take Melody Scott away?" Jimmy Collins stepped out, his face dark and menacing.
"She's an independent woman with the right to choose her own life. You can't just trap her like this." I gathered my courage and said loudly to him.
He sneered coldly, "She's with me because she wants to be. Mind your own business."
"Get out of here, or don't blame me for being ruthless."
"You've gone way too far! You lied to me, and now you're still controlling Melody Scott. You're nothing but a monster!"
"Our wedding is off. I want a divorce!" I shouted in fury.
"Divorce?" Jimmy Collins grabbed my wrist fiercely, his grip so tight it made me wince. "Don't even think about leaving without my say!"
"If you dare divorce me, I'll make sure you and your whole family suffer!"
"Let go of me! Even if it kills me, I'll never be with someone like you again!" I struggled desperately.
"You're the one who's forcing me into this!" Jimmy Collins's eyes darkened with fury. "Just hand over the Lynn Group's shares, and we can still live the rich life we once had. If not, don't blame me for being heartless!"
"Even if I donated all the Lynn Group's shares, I wouldn't give them to someone like you!" I said firmly, refusing to back down.
He shoved me hard. I lost my balance and fell to the ground, a sharp pain shooting through my knee as tears welled up and spilled over immediately.
"I'm giving you one last chance. Don't force me." With that, he turned and walked into the villa, locking the door behind him.
I sat on the cold ground, a wave of despair washing over me — breaking free from him was just impossible.
Today marked Mom's anniversary, and a soft drizzle blurred the sky, casting a heavy veil of sadness over everything.
I brought a bouquet of white chrysanthemums to Mom's grave.
Standing before Mom's headstone, my tears blended with the rain as they fell.
"Mom, I'm such a failure. I've been completely duped by Jimmy Collins." I choked back my tears, my voice catching, "You warned me from the start that he was too calculating and unreliable, but I just wouldn't listen to you."
"Now I really regret it. If only I had listened to you back then, I wouldn't be in this situation now."
The wind swept through the trees surrounding the cemetery, their leaves rustling as if Mom was responding to me.
I wiped the tears from my face and silently made a firm vow: I will break free from Jimmy Collins, for myself and for Mom, I will seek justice.
Since returning from the cemetery, I haven't stopped worrying about Melody Scott's safety.
So, I hid behind the big tree outside the villa, peering through the second-floor window — the scene before me tightened my heart: Melody Scott was tied to a chair, her mouth gagged with a cloth, her face full of terror.
Jimmy Collins sat on the sofa, holding an embroidered cheongsam — the very cheongsam Mom loved most before she passed away. I had always kept it carefully tucked away in the wardrobe. I don't know how he got it.
A strange smile played across his face, one that sent a shiver down my spine.
"This cheongsam is truly beautiful, but Mia Lynn doesn't deserve to wear it." Jimmy Collins strode up to Melody Scott, his voice thick with sarcasm, "Once I get divorced from her and secure the Lynn Group's shares, I'll give you this cheongsam. You'll look far better in it than she ever could."
Melody shook her head violently, making a soft 'woo woo' sound, her eyes filled with helplessness.
I couldn't hold back anymore. I pushed the door open and stormed in, yelling, "Jimmy Collins, give me back the cheongsam!"
"That's my Mom's heirloom—you have no right to touch it!"
Jimmy Collins froze for a moment, then clutched the cheongsam tightly to his chest and looked at me with a sharp edge in his voice, "You still dare to come? Looks like you're not afraid I'll be harsh with you."
"Give me back the cheongsam, and release Melody Scott! Holding her captive is illegal. Aren't you worried about the law catching up with you?" I snapped, furious.
"Release her? Not a chance. She knows far too much. I can't just let her walk away." Jimmy Collins sneered coldly, "The cheongsam is in my hands now. I'll handle it however I see fit. You've got no say in this."
I rushed over, trying to grab the cheongsam back, but he caught my arm and yanked hard. I fell heavily to the ground, a sharp pain shooting through my back.
"Don't push me," he crouched down, his eyes cold and fierce. "Cross me again, and I won't go easy on Melody Scott. Her life is in my hands now. You'd better behave."
Melody Scott was still in his grasp—I couldn't afford to take any chances.
I slowly got to my feet, looked him in the eye, and said, word by word, "Jimmy Collins, it's over between us."
The pain you caused me and Melody Scott, I'm going to make you pay for it, bit by bit.
"Make me pay back?" He burst out laughing, a sound laced with scorn. "You're all at my mercy now — I can do whatever I please."
If you know what's good for you, be at the wedding on time tomorrow and hand over the Lynn Group's shares to me. Otherwise, you won't be able to handle the fallout.
After he finished speaking, he called his bodyguards and locked me in the basement.
The basement was dark and cold, filled with a foul, musty smell.
I could faintly hear him outside, planning the wedding and talking about giving me a "surprise" — but deep down, I knew that so-called "surprise" was just a scheme to force me into transferring my shares at the wedding.
I couldn't just wait to be caught; I had to find a way out.
I fumbled around in the basement and suddenly realized the window was unlocked.
Outside was the villa's backyard, with a large tree right by the wall, its branches stretching close to the window.
I climbed up to the window, gripped the branch tightly, and carefully started climbing down.
The branch was thin, seeming like it could snap at any moment, but I couldn't give up—I clenched my teeth and kept going down.
At last, I landed safely on the ground.
I hid behind the big tree, made sure no one had seen me, then ran toward the neighborhood gate.
When I got to the entrance of the residential complex, I flagged down a taxi.
I had planned to call the police, but I worried that Jimmy Collins might hurt Melody Scott if I did, so I had no choice but to abandon the idea.
Just when I felt completely lost, a thought struck me — Leo Fisher. He's the president of Fisher Group, has business connections with my family, is honest and capable; maybe he could help me.
I quickly pulled out my phone and called Leo. As soon as he answered, I couldn't hold back my tears: 'Mr. Fisher, please, you have to help me.'
Jimmy Collins had us locked up — Melody Scott and me. He even planned to force me to hand over my shares in Lynn Group during the wedding. I barely got away, but Melody is still in his grasp.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, then Leo Fisher's steady voice came through: "Where are you right now? I'll come find you immediately, and after we meet, we can figure out what to do."
Before long, Leo found me.
Seeing how disheveled I looked, he took a bottle of water from the car and handed it to me. "Miss Lynn, are you okay?"
I shook my head, took the water, and sipped it, trying hard to calm myself. "Thank you for being willing to help me."
"I'd heard rumors about Jimmy Collins' behavior for some time, but I never imagined he could be this shameless." Leo said, "Let's find a place to sit down and talk it through. Tomorrow, at the wedding, we'll expose his true colors and save Melody Scott."
We went to a teahouse and found a quiet corner to sit in.
Leo quickly came up with a detailed plan.
Watching him so serious, my heart filled with hope—I believed we would definitely succeed.
Download the SnackShort app, Search 【 638399 】reads the whole book.
My Fiction
SnackShort
Booklite« Previous Post
The Occupied Parking Spot
Next Post »
Payback in Blood