Chapter 24: The Ex

In the time that followed, they wandered aimlessly. Passing the cultural center, they heard piano music from within. Jeremiah suggested a visit, asking, “If I remember correctly, you were quite the piano prodigy as a child. I presume you're at a performance level now, aren't you?”

Raylee paused, her gaze falling on her gloved hand. She had loved playing piano since childhood, captivated by her fingertips dancing across the keys. Had she not been imprisoned for four years, she would likely be on stage, captivating audiences.

After the previous performer finished, Jeremiah approached the piano, looking at Raylee expectantly. "Ms. Goodridge, may I have the honor of hearing you play something?"

Hesitantly, Raylee removed her gloves, revealing thin, wrinkled hands, like the bark of an ancient tree. The chilblains on her fingers were still healing. Despite being in her early twenties, her hands looked like those of a woman in her seventies or eighties.

Raylee expected Jeremiah to be repulsed. Instead, he took her hands, his brow furrowing with distress. "Did this happen in prison?" he asked, anger lacing his tone.

Raylee didn't deny it. "I can no longer play. They're ugly, and I also had two broken fingers, making it difficult even to bend them."

"Damn it!" Jeremiah exclaimed.

Raylee withdrew her hands, sighing softly. "That's just my hands. There are more wounds you can't see… Mr. Lorimer, I'm no different from a disabled person. Someone like me is simply not worthy of being your wife."

"It's up to me to decide if you're worthy or not!" Jeremiah gritted his teeth, resentment flickering in his eyes. "I despise the fact that I'm part of the Lorimer family. The wounds you bear, the misfortune you've suffered—it's all inextricably linked to me!"

Raylee shook her head. "It has nothing to do with you. Despite both of you being Lorimers, you and Layla are good people."

"No worries if you can't play. I'll play for you in the future!" Jeremiah gestured and sat at the piano. His nimble fingers began to tap the keys, producing a crisp sound. From the first note, he was completely engrossed.

Raylee immediately recognized the song: "Rebirth." The melody surged passionately, its crescendo deeply moving. With Jeremiah's striking good looks and heartfelt rendition, it was an auditory feast.

Everyone present paused to listen. As the final note faded, thunderous applause erupted.

"This song is called 'Rebirth,' and it's dedicated to my future wife, Raylee. I hope she can let go of the past and embrace a fresh start!"

The fervent encouragement and confession stirred Raylee's heart, bringing tears to her eyes. Jeremiah pulled out a tissue, gently dabbing her eyes. He teased, "Moved so easily? My wife is truly easy to please!"

"Your wife? I never agreed to be your wife," Raylee said, amused and frustrated.

"You really don't have a say in this. After all, it's been fifteen years since I—"

Before Jeremiah could finish, applause interrupted. It was baffling; the previous audience had dispersed.

They looked towards the source of the applause. Raylee was dumbfounded. "Casimir? Why on earth is he here?"

"The epic love story between Mr. Lorimer and Ms. Goodridge is truly enviable!" Casimir said, clapping sarcastically.

Flustered, Raylee stepped back, feeling as though she'd been caught in the act. We have nothing to do with each other anymore, so I shouldn’t feel this way!

"Mr. Sutherland? What are you doing here?" Jeremiah was taken aback, realizing Casimir was Raylee's former fiancé. Seeing Casimir's furious expression, Jeremiah found the situation interesting.

Jeremiah's gaze turned playful. "Could it be that you've been stalking me and my fiancée, Mr. Sutherland?"

"Who would be so idle as to stalk you? I'm only here because Sutherland Group is hosting an event at the cultural center!" Casimir explained, his voice heavy with barely suppressed resentment.

"Why so worked up, Mr. Sutherland? It's not like it's your first time tailing someone," Jeremiah retorted sarcastically. He alluded to Casimir's underhanded tactics during a previous project bid. Jeremiah chose not to argue further.

With a cold chuckle, Casimir said, "So, have you resorted to snatching someone's woman after losing out on the project, Mr. Lorimer?"

"Snatching someone's woman? I wonder if the woman you're referring to is my beloved Ray-Ray, Mr. Sutherland?" A nonchalant smile touched Jeremiah's face. "From what I know, you already dissolved your marital ties with Ray-Ray four years ago, Mr. Sutherland."

Jeremiah turned to Raylee. "Ray-Ray, am I right?"

Raylee, after a moment of hesitation, answered, "That's right. I no longer have any relationship with Casimir."

Casimir's anger ignited.

Casimir's face was impassive. "Oh, you don't have any relationship with me, but you do have a relationship with him? He even calls you his future wife. When did you two become so close? You've just been released from prison; there's no way you could have established such a good relationship in just a few days! Could it be that you were with him four years ago? Raylee, you were unfaithful, weren't you?"

Raylee was provoked. "Mr. Sutherland, my affairs have nothing to do with you. As of now, we have no connection whatsoever."

Her non-denial fueled Casimir's jealousy. He felt cuckolded, humiliation washing over him.

Casimir pointed at Jeremiah, a sarcastic smirk on his lips. "Raylee, are you losing your mind? Have you forgotten who caused you to spend four years in prison? It was the Lorimer family! Are you actually considering marrying into the Lorimer family now? You've just escaped from one disaster, and you're about to leap into another! The Goodridge family had a tough time getting you out of jail, and yet you're courting disaster like this. No one can save you if you continue. Understand!"

Raylee laughed, bitterness in her eyes. "Did the Lorimer family harm me? Mr. Sutherland, are you joking? Wasn't it because Waverly falsely accused me, and you, in your attempt to protect her, made me the scapegoat? Wasn't that why I ended up imprisoned? Have I lost my memory, or have you forgotten? How could you twist the truth, claiming that the Lorimer family was the one who harmed me?"