I never knew Ryder’s circle could be this disgusting.]


    Remembering Wren’sment about “getting approval,” my head spun with rage.]


    But divorce wasn’t an option.[]


    Our families were business partners, and this marriage served as the tie binding multiple projects and investments together.]


    It made me sick.


    But I had responsibilities to others–couldn’t treat it like child’s y.[]


    As I took a deep breath, I got a text from my mother–inw.


    [You lovebirds having a sweet birthday celebration?]]]


    [Your dad wanted you both over for dinner, but I told him young people don’t want to hang with us old folks, so we didn’t invite you tonight.]]]


    [Come to the family estate for dinner tomorrow after your romantic evening?]<b>] </b>


    I stared at the screen.]]


    Before I could figure out how to respond, my phone rang.]


    Ryder, furious: “Jessa, what the hell is wrong with you? Do you know filing false police reports is illegal?!“]


    I immediately hung up.


    Then texted my mother–inw back:


    [Ryder’s upset tonight–went out to y games with friends.]]]


    <b>[</b><b>I </b>heard from people in their circle that there was some drama with a woman and they ended up at the police station. I can’t even reach him now.]]]


    [Mom, what should I do… I’m so worried…]]]


    When I tried calling Ryder again.[]


    Sure enough, his line was busy.[]


    Not sure if tomorrow’s family dinner was still happening.


    Late that night, Ryder came home.]]


    Most of the alcohol had worn off, but his face showed a mix of defeat and irritation.[]


    He paced around the room a few times.]


    Finally couldn’t help but confront me, “Was it really necessary to blow up a girl’s


    armless joke like that?”


    I looked puzzled: “Didn’t you say you don’t see her as a girl?“[]


    Ryder choked on his words.]


    After a long pause, he said through gritted teeth, “You already hit her, and she’s still shaken up from being dragged to the police station. She was just trying to throw me a nice birthday party, but ended up getting hurt multiple times tonight.]


    “Jessa, just because your family has money doesn’t mean you can bully some regr girl.“]]


    His twisted logic made meugh.[]


    “Regr girl? Her family’spany is failing–is that somehow my


    fault?“]


    “No!” Ryder snapped, “Can you stop deflecting?! The point is Wren got hurt and scared because of you. Can you understand that?!”


    I looked at him calmly.


    He gradually lowered his voice, ufortably avoiding eye contact.[]


    “It’s just a game…”


    “Everyone in our circle agreed we’d never get married, and I was the first to break that pact. Wren can’t handle losing me–she was crying her heart out…“[]


    “Besides, every time I ask for her approval, she says yes anyway. Jessa, it literally doesn’t affect you at all. There’s no reason to


    care.”


    In the quiet of thete–night room, only the clock ticked away.


    After a long silence, I nodded.]


    “You’re right. That makes sense.“]


    Hope flickered in his eyes.[]


    Then I continued: “So from now on, anything between us needs approval from my childhood friends and male besties first.“[]


    He froze.


    “What does our rtionship have to do with all those other people?“[]


    I stared at him.


    He fell silent, his expression growing uglier by the second.[]


    “Damn it, Jessa… you really got me there…“[]


    Fire Fndshin? Then Whire the Babe 12. Balow Your Calle Coulmate t