Chapter 3 Don't Want to Be a Backup Option

She finally understood. She had drunkenly slept with Matthew last night! "Mr. Moore, I was drunk yesterday. Maybe it was..."

She wanted to say "a misunderstanding," but swallowed her words when she met Matthew's intimidating gaze.

"You need to break up!"

"No, I haven't..." Harper was stunned. Matthew got up and put on a black robe, loosely tying the belt, revealing glimpses of his six-pack abs. Was that what she had poked earlier?

Her face flushed, and she lowered her head in embarrassment. Drinking had caused this huge misunderstanding.

Damn alcohol!

"I'm not negotiating with you. If you try to walk away, think about the consequences!" Matthew said, walking barefoot into the bathroom.

As the sound of water came from the bathroom, Harper saw the messy sheets and torn clothes scattered on the floor. She was stunned for a few seconds. Was he trying to take responsibility for her?

But she hadn't ended her previous relationship yet and wasn't ready to start a new one so soon.

When Matthew came out of the bathroom, she cleared her throat and said, "We were both drunk yesterday, and it's not our first time. Mr. Moore, I don't need you to take responsibility. Let's just pretend it never happened. I'll leave now!"

Matthew threw the towel aside, instantly understanding. She didn't want to leave James!

If that was the case, he had to make the decision for her.

"Never happened? You need to break up. I don't want to be anyone's backup!" Matthew said coldly and dominantly.

"I was a virgin!" Matthew continued.

Harper never expected that this business tycoon had such a deep secret hidden behind his cold exterior and would blurt it out so bluntly.

The air was eerily quiet, the atmosphere between them so tense it could be cut with a knife.

Harper spoke first, her voice soft and gentle, "Mr. Moore, this isn't important. We need to handle this calmly. As for breaking up..."

She didn't finish, but the rejection was clear to Matthew.

Matthew's face was colder than a winter's night, without a hint of a smile.

Harper felt a pang of awkwardness.

Last night, she had been the one to initiate, but she never expected it to be Matthew's "first time."

Matthew glanced at her, noticing the fresh hickeys on her collarbone. Memories of last night hit him hard, and he quickly looked away.

"I'll give you a week," Matthew said, his voice low and commanding. "In a week, I'll come find you!"

Harper's head pounded, the hangover still lingering. Matthew's words felt like a dream, yet so real.

Overnight, she had gone from "victim" to "betrayer." This plot twist was surreal.

But even without Matthew, it was only a matter of time before she cut ties with the Smith family.

James, that jerk, had betrayed her completely. Harper wouldn't let it slide.

Arriving at the Smith Villa in the north of the city, Harper took a deep breath and walked in.

"Mrs. Smith, you're finally back!" The maid, Mira, shouted.

"Harper, where have you been? I couldn't reach you." James looked worried.

She forced a smile. "I worked late last night and slept at the office."

"Harper, I went to the office to find you yesterday, but you weren't there." James's brother, Aiden Smith, smirked, lounging and playing a mobile game, his sharp eyes catching sight of her.

"A woman who can't have children is always sneaking around." James's mother, Ava Davis, said, her words cutting into Harper's heart like a knife.

Harper's face turned pale, her fists clenched tightly.

When Harper and James first started dating, Ava had bragged about James finding a beautiful wife. But after Harper's miscarriage, Ava's attitude changed, always mocking and blaming Harper for not giving her a grandchild.

Harper had grown used to Ava's cold remarks about her infertility, but this time, she couldn't take it.

"Mom, Harper drank too much last night helping me with clients. She wouldn't lie to me." James quickly tried to smooth things over, speaking with conviction.

If Harper hadn't repeatedly caught James cheating, she might have been moved. James had always hidden it well, never staying out overnight, always coming home no matter how late.

Harper looked at him, feeling disgusted, and used the excuse of feeling unwell to escape upstairs.

"James, you're generous with Harper. Her clothes look expensive. Be generous with me too; I'm short on money for game gear," Aiden asked.

Ava exploded with anger, pulling James aside and shouting towards the stairs, "James, that woman is wasting your money like there's no tomorrow. Watch out, she might cheat on you!"

With the door closed, Harper leaned against the wall, tears welling up in her eyes.

What had she been doing for the past five years? For this scumbag, she had ended up like this.

She wiped her tears, her eyes growing determined.

She couldn't live like this anymore.

Harper stood up straight, opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and prepared to face the difficulties ahead.

In this house, Harper was no longer the one who silently endured. She was now a woman ready to live for herself.

Outside, James was still knocking. "Harper, don't take my mom's words to heart."

When the door opened, James was stunned. The Harper before him seemed like a different person, so beautiful he couldn't look away.

"Harper," James stammered, his heart racing.