Revenge Forged in Prison
Chapter 13: Love Was Not Worth Mentioning
Most of Gianna’s drunkenness had faded. “Raquel, you’re no longer Caleb’s fiancée. Why are you still holding onto him? Caleb is a free man now. You have no right to interfere with where he chooses to go.”
With an icy stare, Raquel said, “In the five years I’ve been with Jesse, we’ve never been as intimate as you two. Caleb just left prison, and he’s already hooked up with you. If you two aren’t a shameless couple, then what are you?”
Her lips quivered as she continued, “Gia, you’ve truly disappointed me. And here I thought we were good friends, yet you’ve stooped so low as to associate with the likes of Caleb. He has a criminal record, you know?”
Caleb was amused. Had they not insisted on making him the scapegoat, a certain someone else would have ended up with a criminal record instead. After reaping all the benefits he provided, Raquel was repulsed by him when he emerged, filthy and debased, from prison. It would’ve been a disheartening sight, but Caleb didn’t care anymore.
Having lost interest in drinking, Caleb decided to head to the front desk to settle the bill. Raquel, however, swiftly grabbed his hand. “Don’t you dare leave. You owe me an explanation for what happened today!”
Caleb abruptly pushed her away. “What explanation, Ms. Levinson?” He chuckled softly. “No, perhaps I should start calling you ‘Ma’am.’ Your reach seems far, even meddling in other people’s private affairs. When the day comes that I get married, will I have to send you an invitation?”
Raquel bit her lip, seething with anger, before suddenly “realizing” something. “I get it now, Caleb. You’re acting intimately with Gia out of jealousy for Jesse and me, aren’t you? I advise you to cease this thought. Gia is the heiress of the Sherman family. Given your criminal record, there’s no way the Sherman family would accept you.”
Her smug expression was particularly grating. Suddenly, Caleb was reminded of a past event. Once, he had set off fireworks on a high platform with Raquel. Back then, she was filled with nothing but love for him, and she said, “Cale, as long as I can be with you, I’d willingly face death.” The words still echoed in his ears, yet everything had changed beyond recognition. In order to protect herself, she had betrayed him, making her vow appear particularly ludicrous to him. He could no longer see solemn pledges of love as anything but total nonsense, and that love was not worth mentioning in the face of reality.
Caleb revealed a sarcastic smile. “I’m not sure where you’re getting that confidence from, thinking that I’m jealous of you. You and Jesse still haven’t gotten married in five years, which shows how he feels about you.”
Raquel grimaced because his words hit her where it hurts. Then, she retorted, “And what about you? You tarnished Gia’s reputation. Do you really think the Sherman family will let you off the hook? You’re penniless, merely a plaything that Gia picked up!”
Without saying anything, Caleb stood up to settle the bill. With reddened eyes, Raquel watched as his figure receded into the distance. In the past, he couldn’t bear to ignore her, and whenever she would get even the smallest scratch, he would worry for a long time. If she expressed a desire to stargaze, he would accompany her to ascend a hundred-meter-tall building. However, they had become strangers at that moment.
Upon seeing Gianna following Caleb, Raquel was filled with a mix of jealousy and anger. He’s upset that I pushed him away, and so he sought someone else. Is that it? That’s so good about Gianna? In terms of figure or looks… how could she compare to me?
The more Raquel thought about it, the angrier she became. “You’ll regret this!”
Without missing a beat, Caleb moved toward the front desk to settle the bill. Gianna quickly pulled out her phone. “Let me take care of the payment.”
Caleb pushed her hand away. “I’ll pay.” He still had some savings left, enough to settle the bill. However, there was a slight hiccup while scanning the code. When he looked up, he saw a smug grin on Gianna’s face.
Gianna said, “I’ve paid already. Bet you didn’t see that coming!”