Three Times and I'm Done

On the way to our wedding, my fiancé got a hysterical call from his ex-wife. "Gavin, he's having another episode. He keeps crying for his daddy." This was the third time it happened. Each time we were about to get married, her son would have another psychosomatic episode. Gavin Grant looked at me hesitantly. I knew what he was thinking, so I nodded. "I'll get out. Go ahead." He clasped my hand gratefully. "I'm sorry, Vivian. I'll make it up to you." Before I could even steady myself, he was already telling the driver to turn around. Still in my wedding dress, I stood by the side of the road and hailed a cab. Then, my phone buzzed with a message from Gavin—he'd given me $100 million. He hadn't forgotten to compensate me. He'd just forgotten what I'd told him. "Gavin, three strikes and you're out." I took the money. After all, a gold digger had to respect the money. But as gold diggers, we had another rule. Everyone was worth pursuing, Gavin included. But after three strikes, he simply wasn't worth the trouble anymore. Chapter 1 Three Strikes, You're Out Things were getting heated online. "Vivian Hayes, the Ultimate Gold Digger, Gets Dumped Again!" "Marrying Into the Grant Family Is Impossible! Gavin Grant Cancels His Wedding for His Ex-Wife and Child for the Third Time!" The most-viewed post was a clear photo of me standing by the side of the road in my wedding dress, waiting for a cab. It had racked up several thousand comments. I didn't need to read them to know what they were saying. Either they'd mock me for thinking I was good enough for the Grant family, or they'd laugh at me for making a fool of myself. I stared at the screen solemnly, then closed the app. After changing out of my wedding dress and into my regular clothes, I made myself some pasta. Pasta tossed in tomato sauce and topped with fresh mozzarella. I took a picture and posted it online without a caption. Five minutes later, someone commented, "Couldn't marry into a rich family, so you're playing the victim, Ms. Hayes? Eating plain pasta on your wedding day? That's just sad." I didn't respond. I was simply waiting for Gavin to see it. Sure enough, ten minutes later, I got a notification that $3 million had been deposited into my account. Gavin's note read, "Take good care of yourself." I smiled. No one would believe this bowl of pasta was worth $3 million. When Gavin had just gotten divorced five years ago, I'd found him drunk at a bar and brought him home. I cooked him this exact bowl of pasta. I didn't sleep with him while I had the chance. I didn't cling to him or make him explain himself. The best gold diggers out there moved differently. Now that Gavin was looking at that same bowl of pasta again, he felt even guiltier. If we were going to part ways, I figured I'd make the most out of it. I'd take whatever I could get, then walk away. Lillian Parker called. Her slightly tipsy voice was lazy and languid. "I saw the trending posts. Third time's the charm, eh? How are you holding up?" I gave a soft hum. "I'm fine." "That's what you say." She was a gold digger too, but she was on a different level. Back when I was torn between love and money, she'd told me something I'd never forget. "A gold digger doesn't just go after money. She goes after a happy life, too. You and I have worked this hard to become who we are. We deserve better." When I met Gavin, I thought I'd finally found the man I was meant to be with. Lillian, however, had been unimpressed. "You can't beat his ex-wife and his kid. You'd be better off taking the money and walking away." I refused to believe her back then. "This time, I'm choosing happiness." I told Gavin he had three chances before I walked away. That was the boundary I'd set. However, I underestimated how much Gavin loved his child. Blood ties ran deep enough to outweigh everything else. "I regret everything, Lillian." Lillian paused, surprised that I'd finally admitted defeat after putting up such a brave front. She didn't make fun of me. Instead, there was a trace of sympathy in her voice. "Come to Montavia. I'll help you find a man and a job. You can use the job offer to land a three-year visa." Her husband was the richest man in Montavia, so I knew she had the connections to make it happen. I looked at the number in my bank account and thought for a moment. That was about as much as I was going to get out of Gavin. He wasn't worth my attention anymore. Chapter 2 Nothing to Lose That night, Gavin didn't return home. The first two times he bailed on our wedding, he'd stayed with his ex-wife and their child for at least three days. This time would probably be no different. Over the next few days, I went through my list of assets again. Before we broke up, I had to make sure the assets he'd given me were legally secured in my name, just in case he tried to take them back. I trusted Gavin as a person, but I didn't trust his family's underhanded tactics. On the fourth day, Gavin came home. But this time, he wasn't alone. His ex-wife, Claire Bennett, and their child, Alex Grant, had come along with him. "Vivian, Alex hasn't been doing well, and Claire has a fever. They'll be staying with us for now." I merely nodded and said nothing. He'd brought them home without even asking me, which made it clear he wasn't asking for permission. That night, Claire and Alex settled into the guest room. I was organizing my jewelry when Claire came over. "I'm sorry to intrude, Ms. Hayes." She made it seem as if I'd been bullying her. I shook my head lightly. "It's no trouble." Her gaze fell on the framed photo on my nightstand. It was a solo portrait of Gavin from his wedding photoshoot. "Alex misses his dad. He wants a picture of him as he looks now. Would it be okay if I took this?" I frowned. What sort of nonsense was this? Gavin had spent three days with them. She could have taken as many pictures of him as she wanted. Yet, she had to come for the one in my bedroom. I couldn't be bothered to argue. "Take it." She picked up the photo of Gavin, then started tearing up. "I'm so envious of you. You get to see him every day." Then, she forced a faint smile. "Sorry. I'm being inappropriate." Suddenly, a clear voice rang out from the doorway. "Don't cry, Mommy." Alex came rushing in. "You're a bad woman! You're bullying my mom again!" I frowned. Claire had been the one badmouthing me. Before I could react, Alex shoved me hard. I lost my balance and fell to the floor. Claire hurriedly grabbed him. "Don't hit her, baby. Mommy's okay…" She was saying she was fine, not that I hadn't bullied her. Alex's little face flushed bright red. "Mommy, we're home now. Daddy will stand up for us. We don't have to worry about what she thinks anymore." The corners of Claire's lips lifted ever so slightly. Gavin came out of his study when he heard the commotion. His expression darkened when he saw me sitting on the floor, clutching my ankle. "What happened?" Claire immediately crouched down to help me up, apologizing profusely. "I'm sorry. Alex saw your wedding photo and had an episode. He didn't mean to…" I frowned again. It was a solo portrait. How had it suddenly become a wedding photo? Claire glanced at Alex. The next second, Alex clutched his chest and collapsed. "Ugh…" He writhed on the floor in pain, sweat beading across his forehead. "Oh, no. Alex's having another episode!" Claire let go of me and immediately ran to Alex. I lost my balance again and fell backward, my lower spine slamming into the floor. This time, it hurt even more. Gavin didn't even look at me. Instead, he scooped Alex into his arms. "Let's head to the hospital. Now." The three of them left together without sparing me another glance. I gave a helpless little laugh and got to my feet on my own. I couldn't make a scene. I couldn't accuse anyone of anything, either. Gavin hated petty people who made a fuss, after all. I opened the first-aid kit and applied some pain-relief ointment. After a long night of dealing with everything, Gavin finally texted me. "Vivian, I think you should move out for now. Alex can't stand the sight of you. I'll put the apartment on the west side of town in your name." "Okay," I replied curtly. Claire wanted me gone. I wanted to get something out of it before I left. It was a win-win situation. Chapter 3 Three Million Dollars It was my birthday the next day. Gavin took me out to dinner. "I know I've been neglecting you lately. Tonight, it'll just be the two of us." Figuring my birthday gift would probably be expensive, I agreed. At a private restaurant, he handed me a diamond bracelet. I had to admit, he knew exactly what I liked. "Vivian, I know I've put you through a lot lately." I slipped the bracelet onto my wrist and smiled faintly. "It's okay." The moment the violin began playing, two people walked over. Claire was holding Alex's hand, her eyes red from crying. "Alex isn't feeling well. We've run out of his medicine, and I can't find the rest…" The entire restaurant fell silent for a moment. Someone whispered, "That father is so busy taking another woman out, he doesn't even care that his own child is sick." Alex ran straight toward Gavin and threw himself into his arms, bursting into tears. "Daddy, my chest hurts so bad…" He looked over at me, his little face flushed red. "It's you! You stole my daddy from me again, you bad woman!" He grabbed a wineglass and threw its contents straight at my face. I dodged, but the red wine still splashed across my shoulder. "Alex, that's enough!" Gavin was getting angry. "Apologize to Ms. Hayes right now." "No! She stole you from me. She's a bad woman!" Claire hurried over and pulled Alex away, visibly hurt as she teared up. "I'm sorry. I clearly haven't taught him well enough. Let me apologize to you, Ms. Hayes…" She looked so humble and wronged. If I made an issue of it now, I'd be the one in the wrong. The whispers around us grew louder. Gavin hated having his private life discussed in public, so he frowned and looked at me. At once, I knew what he was thinking. Alex wasn't supposed to see me right now, and Gavin's words from before still echoed in my ears. Whenever Alex showed up, I was expected to disappear. I knew better than to make things difficult, so I waved my hand. "Go. Your son needs you." Gavin frowned, clearly torn, but only for a second. "Okay. I'll take them home first." He picked up Alex and hurried out with Claire. I dabbed the wine from my shoulder with a napkin, then gestured to the violinist. "Keep playing. I'll pay for it." The music started again, and I calmly finished the rest of my meal. A server came over and asked cautiously, "Ms. Hayes, Mr. Grant also arranged a birthday cake. Would you like us to bring it out?" "Sure." A cake decorated like a black swan was brought to the table. I closed my eyes and made a wish. 'Happy twenty-sixth birthday to myself.' Like always, I took a picture and posted it without a caption. Everyone could interpret it however they wanted. Ten minutes later, my phone buzzed with a text. "I'm sorry, Vivian. I'll make it up to you next time." A moment later, I got a notification saying that $3 million had been deposited into my account. I figured that would be the last time I'd get something from him, but as long as the money kept coming through, that was all that mattered. As a gold digger, I was in it for the money. When I returned to my apartment that night, Gavin was there. He had brought creamy crab chowder, my favorite late-night snack. "Alex was out of line tonight, but he's only six, and he's sick. I didn't have a choice…" "I know. You don't have to explain." Gavin paused. "You're not angry?" A flicker of panic crossed his eyes. "You weren't like this before." I smiled faintly. The first two times he called off our wedding, I had thrown a tantrum. Back then, I had genuinely loved him, so I cared. But now that I didn't anymore, why would I make a fuss? "You're already exhausted. How could I possibly make things harder for you?" My words seemed to ease Gavin's mind. "I promise, once Alex gets better, I'll have them move out. We'll get married right away." I gave him a polite, carefully measured smile. I neither refused nor agreed. After all, with Claire around, his son was never going to recover. Gavin's phone rang, and the special ringtone he'd set for Alex echoed throughout the room. "Daddy, when are you coming home?" Then, Claire's gentle voice came through. "Alex won't go to sleep. He wants you to read him a bedtime story." Gavin looked at me apologetically, caught in a difficult position. I waved him off. "Go." I let just enough weariness show. "I'm scared of the dark, but I'll be okay on my own." Gavin still left. As expected, he transferred another $3 million to me. "We'll stay on the phone. As long as you can hear my voice, you won't be afraid." The call stayed connected until he walked into Alex's room. Soon, I heard the three of them laughing together. I hung up and went to sleep. Thinking about the money in my account, I slept soundly. Chapter 4 Just a Formality Gavin hadn't come looking for me in a week. I was too busy liquidating my assets to pay much attention to him anyway. He suddenly showed up one day, and I quickly hid the house sale contract. "Alex went through another psychological assessment. His anxiety score is worse now." I said nothing, waiting for him to continue. "According to his doctor, it's best for both parents to be there for him throughout his six-month treatment…" Gavin looked pretty awkward. After a long pause, he finally spoke again. "Getting remarried might be the most effective thing we can do for his recovery." At once, I understood what he was hinting at. "So we're breaking up?" "Of course not!" He grabbed my hand. "It's only a formality. I'll divorce her after six months, then marry you. You don't have to worry. I'll make it up to you." He added, "I've already had the lawyers draw up the paperwork. Ten percent of the company's shares will be transferred to you. You'll be a shareholder at Grant Group. No one will dare question your status after that." I lowered my head, pretending to be devastated. "Gavin, have you really thought this through?" "I…" Gavin was caught off guard by the question. I smiled gently. "As long as you've thought it through, that's enough. I trust you." Gavin let out a breath of relief. "Thank you, Vivian. With you in my life, I'll have no regrets." He moved to hug me. I stepped aside and handed him his coat instead. "Go be with your son. He needs you." Gavin took the coat but didn't move. I silently counted to three. 'Three, two, one…' Sure enough, his special ringtone went off again. Without another thought, Gavin put on his coat and headed for the door. "This time, we'll just make it legal. No wedding. That's the least I should do for you." I gave a soft hum in response. All I could think about was how quickly I could cash out those shares. Suddenly, he turned back and glanced at me. "What's that? A sales contract?" My heart skipped a beat. He'd seen it. I didn't panic, though. I merely answered indifferently, "I'm thinking about making a few investments. I can't rely on you to support me forever." Gavin smiled and didn't bother looking at the details. "Don't overwork yourself, okay? I can support you for the rest of your life." I managed a faint smile. He meant those words sincerely, but it was also true that he'd called off our wedding three times. After Gavin left, the legal department at Grant Group contacted me and asked me to sign the Equity Transfer Agreement. Upon signing it, I immediately messaged Lillian. "I'm going to Lichtenau next Monday." Lillian replied with a thumbs-up emoji. … Gavin and Claire officially remarried. On my way to the airport, I saw that Claire had posted their marriage certificates side by side. The caption read, "After everything we've been through, we've finally found our way back to being a family." The comments were filled with congratulations. Someone took a screenshot and posted it on social media. The comments were entertaining. "That gold digger finally lost, huh?" "Serves her right. This is so satisfying." "The Grant family cares most about carrying on the family line. Claire has sealed her fate now." I chose to remain silent. A short while later, Claire deleted the post. Soon, Gavin contacted me. "I'm sorry. I didn't know she made it public." I didn't reply. A moment later, he transferred another $3 million to me. This time, I didn't reply with a simple "Okay." I'd gotten enough out of him, and anything extra was just a bonus. The announcement came over the speakers. "Passengers traveling to Lichtenau may now begin boarding." I stood up and got in line. Just then, I heard two voices behind me. "The doctor said getting away for a while would be good for Alex." "That doesn't mean you can call it a honeymoon." I turned around and saw Gavin, Claire, and Alex standing there. Before I could say anything, Claire burst into tears. "Ms. Hayes, we're taking Alex on a trip to help him unwind. Are you following us there, too?" Gavin frowned and glanced at the ticket in my hand. He snatched it from me. "You're going to Montavia too! Are you seriously following us?" I shook my head gently. "I didn't know about your plans." "How could you not know?" Claire cried even harder. "When you went to the company to finalize your shares, didn't you ask Daniel about our plans?" At once, I realized Claire was trying to frame me again. Gavin was predictably displeased. "Vivian, go home. Don't be unreasonable." I frowned, but I knew there was no point explaining. I could always change my flight. I picked up my luggage and turned to leave when Alex suddenly lost it and lunged at me. "You're a bad woman! Get out of here!" He shoved me with all his strength. The heel of my shoe snapped, and I went tumbling into one of the nearby seats. The commotion drew everyone's attention, and people began gathering around us. Gavin started toward me, but Claire grabbed his arm. "Let's go. We can't let Alex see Ms. Hayes again. He can't handle the stress." Gavin hesitated. He looked at Alex, who had begun clutching his chest, and stopped. In the end, he made his choice. He took Alex's hand and led him toward the gate. Suddenly, someone nearby cried out, "Oh my God, she's bleeding. Could she be having a miscarriage?" Gavin stopped dead in his tracks. He released Alex's hand and rushed straight toward me.