Chapter 9 Jeff pulled his phone out of his bag and played a video . On the screen , Larissa stood by a window in a psychiatric hospital , her face swollen and distorted from long - term medication . She stared blankly outside , completely lost in her own world . " I forced her to work as an escort , and then I put her in a mental hospital , " Jeff said urgently . " You hate her , so I made her pay the price ... " " You think I left you because of Larissa ? " I laughed suddenly . " Listen carefully : I don't care about her . Just like I haven't cared about you for a long time . " Albert took my hand at the right moment , our fingers interlacing . I saw Jeff's gaze lock onto our joined hands . His whole body twitched , as if he'd been burned . " We're getting married next month , " I said calmly . " I hope you can give us your blessing. " Albert , usually composed , lit up instantly , grinning like a kid . Jeff's lips began to tremble . Suddenly , he lunged at me like a drowning man , grabbing my arm . " No ... You can't do this ! You can't marry him ! You promised me you'd love me forever ! Please , don't leave me . Don't marry someone else ! " I looked down at him , y voice gentle but firm . " Seven years ago , when you first divorced me for Larissa , My blood got all over the floor , but you still left without a me . Negged you like this , too . I even slashed my wrists to keep you . glance , running to Larissa . The butler had to call the ambulance for " I stayed in the hospital for a month , and didn't you even come to see me once . " Albert wrapped his arm around my shoulders , and only then did I realize my body was still trembling . " It's okay , Helen . It's all in the past . I'm here now , " Albert said softly . Jeff suddenly collapsed to his knees , ignoring everyone around him and clutching my legs tightly . " You can't leave ! I can't live without you ... I haven't stopped looking for you for three years . I searched the whole world ... " I looked down at his messy hair . That face that used to mesmerize me was now twisted in tears and desperation . Strangely , my heart was completely calm , still as a stagnant pond . " Mr. West , " Albert said calmly , " touch my fiancée again , and tomorrow's headlines will be about the last 7 % of West Corporation's shares being shorted . " Jeff ignored him . He tilted his face up , revealing a scar that ran from his forehead to his brow " Remember this scar ? You got it the third time we divorced . You smashed a vase ... but I never blamed you ... " " That's because you deserved it , " I finally said . " That day , I opened the door and saw Larissa wearing my wedding dress in our bedroom . " I broke free from his grasp and , before leaving , glanced back at him one last time . " Love isn't an apology after you hurt someone . I'm not a toy you use and put away . You never understood what love is . Experiencing real love has shown me that what we had wasn't it " I took Albert's hand and left the cafe without looking back . Chapter 9 As Albert opened the car door for me , Jeff's wails still echoed inside . I leaned gently on Albert's shoulder , watching his figure shrink in the rearview mirror . Sunlight streamed through the car window , glinting off my wedding ring and casting a rainbow of colors .