My Fiancé Gambled With My Honor, So I Bankrupted His Whole Family

My most intimate photos had been trending on the local forum for a full forty-eight hours.

My fianc, Lester Stephens, was the only one who never said a word against me.

He'd blocked the cameras for me, covered my ears, and held me hard against his chest.

But when I went to the private room to bring him a hangover remedy, I stopped outside the door and heard his sister's sweet little laugh.

"You lost, Lester. That limited-edition Porsche is mine now.

I told you, if it came from your hand, she'd drink it even with the drug in it."

The boy who'd looked out for me since we were kids let out a scoff.

"I picked the angles on those photos and posted them myself. Ruined enough for you?"

My best friend nestled coyly into Lester's arms.

"Just to force her to break the engagement herself and clear the way for me, and you two came up with something this low."

Lester pulled her in tighter, his voice full of contempt.

"If I didn't hire someone to take those photos and destroy her name, why would she ever agree to end it quietly?

Only this way can you become Mrs. Stephens with a clean record."

So the public disgrace, the online abuse, the despair I'd lived through these three days.

It was nothing but a wager these people I loved most had casually laid down to force me out of the way.

I calmly dropped the remedy into the trash and dialed a number.

"Dad, I'll agree to the marriage."

""

"Good. The Farleys have shown real sincerity."

"Ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Bring your ID."

I answered with a low "Okay" and hung up.

The hall was a little cold. I turned and pushed open the door to the private room.

The moment the door cracked open, the laughter inside cut off.

Lester saw me come in and pushed Beverly Fox away.

Beverly rose from the sofa then.

"Bertha, don't take it too hard."

"I saw everything online too. What those people said was awful. You mustn't let it get to you."

"The truth will speak for itself. We'll all be here for you."

I only gave a cold laugh. "I don't need your concern."

Lester frowned.

"Bertha, she's been so worried about you these two days she couldn't even eat. Don't take it out on her."

Suddenly it all felt pointless.

"I'm not angry." I looked at Beverly. "I just find you filthy."

Beverly went pale, and her tears fell at once.

Bella Stephens scoffed from beside her.

"What gives you the right to act so high and mighty, Bertha James?

Your name is trash all over town now. If my brother weren't protecting you, you think you'd still be standing here putting on airs?

Beverly here is kind enough to comfort you, and you throw it back in her face."

I turned my head toward Bella.

"Is that so." I tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Then thank your brother for me."

Lester's face darkened.

"That's enough. You're not yourself today. Let me take you home first."

He turned to Beverly, and his voice softened in an instant.

"Beverly, have the driver take you back first. I'll come see you later."

Beverly nodded obediently.

"Okay. Stay with Bertha. She needs you most right now."

But Lester took my arm and led me out.

Neither of us spoke the whole way.

The car was quiet enough to smother a person.

Lester steered one-handed, and out of habit his other hand reached for mine.

I turned aside, leaning against the window, watching the night scenery streak past outside.

His hand met empty air, paused there a second, then slowly drew back.

"Bertha."

The car stopped at a red light. He turned to look at me, his voice dropping low.

"The thing online, I've already gotten it taken down."

"But the fallout really isn't good. The elders on the Stephens side are very unhappy about it."

I didn't turn around. I only watched his profile reflected in the glass.

"So?"

Lester was silent for two seconds, then reached into the storage compartment, took out a document, and held it out to me.

"Let's dissolve the engagement first."

"Just for now," he added.

"Once this blows over and everyone forgets about it, we'll get engaged again."

I lowered my eyes to the statement dissolving the engagement.

His name was already signed on it.

"This is to protect you too." He looked at me.

"Carrying the title of the Stephens family's future daughter-in-law right now will only bring you more abuse.

Stepping back is better for both of us."

I looked at that flawless face of his and felt only how absurd it all was.

The one who put the drug in my glass was him.

The one who posted the photos online was him.

And now the one holding the dissolution statement, forcing me to sign under the banner of protecting me, was him too.

He'd calculated every single thing, and still he wanted my gratitude for it.

"Fine."

I signed my name on the document right then.

Lester watched how cleanly, how decisively I did it, and something like shock flickered in his eyes.

"Bertha" His brow furrowed slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

"It's signed." I threw the document back at him and pushed open the car door.

"Don't bother taking me. I'll get my own cab."

When I stepped out of the car, the wind was fierce.

Lester didn't come after me.

He only rolled down the window, watching me stand at the curb, his brows drawing together slightly.

"Bertha, stop sulking."

"I know you feel wronged, but this is the best way to handle it right now."

"Once this blows over, I'll make it up to you."

I stood in the wind, without even the strength to turn and look at him.

"Suit yourself."

I flagged down a taxi, pulled the door open, and got in.

In the rearview mirror, Lester's car sat there a long while before it slowly pulled away.

He probably thought this was just a girl throwing a tantrum after losing her sense of security.

After all, in his eyes, I loved him without limit.

For three years, to suit his tastes, I gave up my own career and taught myself to cook and keep house.

His stomach was bad, so every single day, without fail, I brought a bowl of hot soup to his office.

He didn't like me wearing anything too revealing, so I swapped out every dress in my closet for conservative ones.

He thought I couldn't live without him, and that was why he'd dared to gamble with my reputation so recklessly.

Back at the apartment, I didn't even turn on the lights. I dropped straight onto the couch.

My phone screen lit up. A message from Beverly.

"Bertha, don't blame Lester. He's under pressure from his family, that's the only reason he had to break off the engagement first."

"Don't worry, I'll talk him around for you."

Attached was a photo, freshly taken.

In it, Lester sat on the couch at her place.

A glass of warm milk in his hand, his head bent over his phone.

That glass of milk was the one I used to heat for him every night.

I stared at the photo for a few seconds, then tossed the phone aside.

At ten the next morning, right on time, I walked into the caf across from the county courthouse.

I pushed the door open. A man sat at the table by the window.

He wore a well-cut dark suit, head bent over the tablet in his hand, the line of his profile cold and sharply drawn.

Raymond Farley.

Famous in New York's elite circle for his iron-fisted methods, the current head of the Farley family.

Also the arranged marriage match my father called "very sincere."

Hearing me come in, he looked up, his gaze landing on my face.

Those eyes were deep as still water, giving nothing away.

"Miss James. Sit."

His voice was low, carrying the ease of a man at the top.

I pulled out the chair and sat, setting my household register on the table.

"Mr. Farley, my father should have made everything clear to you."

I got straight to the point.

"My reputation is ruined right now. Those photos online may be blurred, but everyone in the circle knows it's me."

"Are you sure you still want to go through with this marriage?"

Raymond looked at me, his long fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"I've seen the photos."

His tone was calm, without a ripple.

"The angles were deliberate. The signs of drugging are obvious too."

"Miss James, you're a smart woman. You should know who did it."

My fingertips went stiff.

He hadn't needed to investigate at all. One look and he'd seen straight through this clumsy setup.

"That doesn't matter." I lowered my eyes. "What matters is, if you marry me, the Farleys lose face along with me."

Raymond gave a sudden faint laugh.

It barely showed, and never reached his eyes.

"The Farley name doesn't need a woman's reputation to hold it up."

"Why me?" I couldn't help asking.

Raymond leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed heavily on me.

"Because Miss James is rational enough."

"I need a suitable wife, and you need someone solid behind you to get out of your current situation."

"Each gets what they need. That's fair."

I looked into those deep eyes and suddenly thought that dealing with a smart man really did save trouble.

After we got the marriage license, my phone rang.

Bella was calling.

"Bertha James, where the hell did you disappear to!"

The moment I answered, Bella's shrill voice stabbed at my eardrums.

"My mom says you drag yourself over to the old Stephens estate right now!"

"Don't think signing the annulment statement means you're off the hook. You dragged the whole Stephens name through the mud. Get over here and explain yourself!"

I held the phone a little farther from my ear, my tone even.

"I'm busy."

"You dare not come?" Bella sneered. "Beverly's here, and so is my brother.

If you don't show, you think I won't send the original photos straight to your company group chat?"

My grip on the phone tightened hard.

"Fine. I'll be right there."

I took a taxi straight to the old Stephens estate.

The moment I walked into the living room, Marjorie Stephens slammed her hand down on the table.

"Kneel!"

I stayed where I was. I didn't move.

When Marjorie saw that I wasn't kneeling, her face darkened further, and she jabbed a finger at me, cursing me to my face.

"You still have the nerve to stand there!"

"Those photos are all over the internet. Where does that leave the Stephens name?"

Spit flew as she cursed, and every word was aimed straight at the softest part of me.

Bella stood off to the side, adding fuel to the fire.

"Mom, why are you even wasting your breath on her?"

"She acts so pure all day, but who knows how filthy she really is behind closed doors. If my brother weren't so soft-hearted, he'd have thrown her out ages ago."

I watched this mother-and-daughter act with cold eyes.

Then I turned my gaze to Lester by the window.

He drew on his cigarette, exhaled the smoke slowly in rings, and looked at me through the white haze without saying a word.

"Bertha."

Beverly rose to her feet then, came to my side, and gave my sleeve a gentle tug.

"Just apologize to Mrs. Stephens, please."

"If you're just a little more agreeable, she won't really hold it against you."

I shook her hand off.

Beverly stumbled back two steps and landed right in Lester's arms.

He caught her without thinking, and his face went dark in an instant.

"Bertha James, haven't you made enough of a scene!"

"My mother's furious, would it kill you to just go along with her? Do you have to blow this up until there's no fixing it?"

I looked at him, and suddenly I wanted to laugh.

"I'm making a scene?"

"Who sent out those photos? Don't the lot of you know perfectly well?"

Something flickered in Lester's eyes.

"Is there any point in bringing that up now?"

"The fact is the photos are already out there, and the Stephens family has become a laughingstock in our circle because of you."

"Having you sign the statement ending the engagement is to protect you, and to give the Stephens family something to show for it."

His tone was pure charity.

"Just keep your head down. Once this blows over, I won't leave you out in the cold."

"Lester..." Beverly looked at him with reddened eyes. "Don't be so harsh with Bertha, she didn't mean any of this."

"Beverly, you're just too kind."

Marjorie let out a cold snort. "A woman like her isn't fit to stand beside our Lester."

She pointed at the jade bracelet on my wrist.

"That bracelet has been passed down in the Stephens family for generations. It goes only to the future mistress of the house."

"Since you've already signed the statement ending the engagement, take it off and give it back to me."

I lowered my eyes to the bracelet on my wrist.

It was the one Marjorie had slipped onto me herself the day of the engagement.

She'd said the bracelet knew its owner. Once you wore it, you belonged to the Stephens family.

Lester glanced at me, that faint, condescending charity in his eyes.

"Bertha, give the bracelet back first."

His tone was gentle, like he was coaxing a child who didn't know any better.

"Do it to calm my mother down. Be good."

Demanding I put up with Beverly's presence, demanding I swallow every last grievance, demanding I play along with this sickening act of his.

I said nothing. I just slid the bracelet off my wrist.

I set it down on the coffee table.

"It's yours now."

Marjorie picked it up with satisfaction, wiped it with a handkerchief, and turned to hand it to Beverly.

"Beverly, dear, you hold on to this for now."

Beverly's face went all flustered and honored, and she quickly waved her hands.

"Mrs. Stephens, I couldn't. It's far too precious, I can't take it."

I watched the warm little family scene, and my stomach churned.

"Is the show over?"

I spoke coldly.

"Because if it's over, I'm leaving."

I turned to go.

"Bertha James!" Lester called after me. "What kind of attitude is that?"

I stopped and looked back at him.

"What attitude would you like from me?"

"Should I be down on my knees thanking you for leaving me a way to live?"

Lester's face went livid.

"I only want you to understand that right now, without me, you have nothing."

He stepped in front of me and looked down at me from above.

"Stop trying to provoke me with this coldness. It won't do you any good."

"Go back to the apartment and wait for me like a good girl. Later I'll take you to that sushi place you love."

He reached out to touch my head.

I tilted my head away.

"No need." I looked at him. "The apartment keys, I already left them in the entryway."

"From now on, don't come looking for me again."

Lester's hand froze midair.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Moving out?" He gave a short scoff. "Bertha, if you leave me, where exactly do you think you'll go?"

"Your father's sorry excuse for a company has run out of cash. It's about to go under.

You move out now, what, so you can end up on the street?"

My voice stayed level.

"That's really none of your concern, Mr. Stephens."

I turned and walked out of the old Stephens estate. The sunlight outside stung my eyes.

I called the moving company.

Back at Lester's apartment, I started packing my things.

There wasn't much to pack, really.

Over these three years, molding myself to fit him, I'd thrown away too much of what was mine.

What was left was just some worthless old belongings.

Early the next morning, the movers arrived.

I loaded the last few boxes into the truck and glanced back once at the place I'd lived in for three years.

Halfway there, the driver slammed on the brakes.

My body pitched forward, and I nearly hit the seat in front of me.

"What happened?" I steadied myself and frowned.

"Some car just cut right in front of us. What a lunatic!" The driver swore and rolled down his window.

A black Maybach sat sideways across the road, blocking the cab.

The door opened and Lester got out, his face dark.

He strode over to the cab and yanked the back door open.

"Get out."

I sat where I was and looked at him coldly.

"Lester, have you lost your mind?"

"I said get out!" He dragged me out of the car by force.

The driver flinched and started to say something, but Lester just threw a wad of cash at him.

"Get lost."

The driver took the money and sped off.

Lester hauled me over to his car.

"Bertha, what is it you're actually trying to do?"

His eyes were red-rimmed, as if I'd genuinely enraged him.

"All I did last night was go see Beverly for a minute, and you have to blow it up into this, packing up and moving out?"

"Do you have any idea how childish you're being!"

I looked at him raging and only found it absurd.

"I'm moving out because I don't want to see you anymore."

I wrenched my hand free.

"Lester, our engagement is already off. Where I live, where I go, none of it has anything to do with you."

"Nothing to do with me?" He laughed coldly and closed in on me.

"You think signing that piece of paper means you're rid of me?"

He pulled a document from his pocket and slapped it down on the hood of the car.

"Take a look at this."

I glanced down.

It was a supplemental agreement.

It said that as long as I promised not to make a scene about the photos,

and played along in keeping up a peaceful-breakup front for everyone else, he'd keep his investment flowing into the James company.

"Sign it."

He held the pen out to me.

"Be good and sign. There's a limit to how far you get to throw a tantrum.

I'll still take care of you. Whatever you want, I can give it to you.

Just stop making a scene."

I looked at the pen held out in front of me and didn't take it.

I slowly unzipped my bag and drew out a small red booklet.

"There's no need to sign any breakup agreement."

I slapped the marriage certificate down on top of his document and lifted my eyes to his.

"I'm already married."