Chapter 87

**Sarah**

From what I heard, Bronn and Emily had a past relationship, but she left. They met again just recently.

I had always wondered about Bronn's romantic history; now, it all makes sense. The truth came out like a bittersweet story: he and Emily had shared an intimate relationship.

"Let's discuss this privately," Bronn suggested.

I followed Bronn's suggestion, and he invited us to a restaurant, bringing Emily along. I could feel Emily trembling slightly like a leaf in the wind, though she showed no emotion. Perhaps she was trying to be brave about the situation.

We sat at a table inside the restaurant. Emily sat beside me but still couldn't look at me.

"Speak!" I demanded of Bronn.

Bronn glanced at Emily, silently asking if he could talk about their past together. "I'm not sure what you heard, but it's true. I had a relationship with Emily before."

Should I be angry about that? No.

Emily followed Bronn's statement. "I was Mr. Martin's mistress for two years. I ended the relationship four years ago when I heard about your marriage."

My mouth dropped at this revelation. That was when the Benners disowned me, and my wedding with Bronn didn't happen because I was in love with Philip. My lips formed a straight line.

I hadn't respected or seriously considered marrying Bronn back then. So, should I be upset that they were together? No.

"I married another man, so why did you leave?" I asked.

Emily opened her mouth, looking confused. "I-I didn't know you married another man."

I pieced the scenarios together, which led me to say the following words. "You thought I was still going to marry Bronn. And when you found out I'm Sarah Benner, you filed your resignation. Is that the reason?"

Emily slowly nodded, her head dipping as if to say yes. She was guilty, showing the pain of a woman who had loved deeply but had to leave because of it. Four years ago, she walked away from Bronn with her heart bleeding, believing he was marrying another woman.

"But what I don't get," I said, "is why you changed your mind again..."

Is Emily seeking revenge, viewing me as the one who destroyed her dreams? Or is her return linked to Bronn, an irresistible force she can't escape? Questions flooded my mind, multiplying like echoes in a cave.

"I... I'd rather speak with you privately, Sarah. I can only say that Bronn and I are not involved romantically at this moment. I'm aware of the rumors circulating about Mr. Martin's romantic interests, and I've heard about your intentions to proceed with the wedding..."

I turned my gaze towards Bronn, who was sitting across from me. His face wore a mask of stoic indifference. Earlier, I overheard him questioning Emily's presence as if she were the one who got away.

"Could we step outside for a moment? I need to talk to you," I asked Bronn, rising from my seat and making my way to the garden, an elegantly landscaped extension of the high-end restaurant,

Perhaps that's why I couldn't muster genuine feelings of love or romance for him, even though we were engaged before, and our trial dates.

I crossed my arms, the chill of the night air seeping in. Standing in the center of the garden, despite the relative seclusion, I could still hear the distant hum of the hotel and the party.

I felt Bronn's presence behind me and turned to find him bathed in the gentle light of the garden, which softened his chiseled features.

"This isn't right, Bronn. I mean, you and I... A romantic relationship between us is just not feasible," I immediately led.

"But why? I'm not involved with Emily anymore," he interjected, his tone tinged with uncertainty.

"Then answer me this: you knew we were destined for marriage, yet Emily existed. I know it was more like a business deal than anything else, but still, it meant something. I didn't expect you to be faithful or to love me, not really. But why did you have someone else? What do I even call her? A side chick? A girlfriend? And why Emily? Why not anyone?" My tone wasn't accusing, just curious about the man I was supposed to marry.

"I don't know, Sarah... Because I'm a man? That's a pathetic excuse, I know Look, you were only sixteen when Emily and I started. I called her a 'mistress' because our families expected us to marry. I supported her financially-her school fees, apartment, designer clothes, everything..." he explained.

"So, you were basically paying Emily to be your mistress until I turned eighteen?" I clarified.

"That's correct," he confirmed, his voice barely audible.

Having a mistress is utterly disgusting, yet it's an unfortunate reality. Many businessmen engage in extramarital affairs. My father is no exception; he has had mistresses. Even Chairman Cornell. This is precisely why I once suspected Philip of cheating with his secretary.

"But you fell in love with Emily" I was certain of that.

I witnessed the way Bronn gazed at Emily earlier, a look that spoke of deep affection and longing. It was undeniable; it was clear they had a special connection like they were in their own little world. Seeing that made me realize I didn't have a chance with Bronn.

Steeling myself, I confronted him directly, "Bronn, I came from a failed marriage. What I desperately want now is a lovely family, a man who would love me romantically and unconditionally, without reservation. We're good friends, but can you honestly picture yourself being romantically involved with me?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

His lips trembled as he struggled to respond. "I-I'm sorry"

"You see? I understand that pursuing you would only lead to heartache, Bronn." It was a difficult realization to grasp, but I had to acknowledge it: my hopes of love with him were nothing more than an impossible dream.

It seemed I had to come to terms with the fact that Bronn and I would never be more than friends. As I was processing this, my phone rang, displaying Jakob's name. I spotted him inside the restaurant, apparently searching for me.

"I need to take this call; we're not done yet," I informed Bronn sternly before answering.

Without exchanging pleasantries, I addressed Jakob, "Come out here. We're in the garden area."

"Understood, boss!" Jakob replied, chuckling before I hung up.

A restaurant server guided Jakob outside. He immediately saw that Bronn and I were having a serious talk.

"You smell human!" I blurted out, unable to contain my surprise at his decidedly business casual attire, just as he had promised.

Disregarding my comment, Jakob remarked, "I saw Emily inside She's been drinking wine."

"Yes! She's with us Now, tell me the truth! Did you conspire with Bronn and not tell me about Emily's background?" I felt a sense of betrayal. I had never imagined Jakob would choose loyalty to Bronn over me.

"Uh" Jakob hesitated, scratching his head as he searched for an explanation.

It was then that Bronn dropped a bombshell, "Jakob is my brother... He's the only person who knows Emily because... we're brothers."

"What?" I gasped, my eyes widening in utter disbelief and confusion. "What the hell, Jakob?! The room whenever we had video chats, was it a rented room? Or a place in your mansion in Henderson?"

The truth hit me hard. I had never visited Jakob in his supposed apartment in Henderson. All I remembered was him talking about having a roommate and a small bed. But he'd been using my car, or my Netflix account, always dressed casually. Nothing hinted that he was Bronn's brother, the millionaire behind the tech giant BM Technology.

I had met Bronn's grandfather previously and interacted with his parents on a few occasions, but I had never crossed paths with Jakob.

Jakob raised both his hands, seemingly understanding what was going through my mind.

"Listen, doll. I-I can explain Please, you've got to understand; you hid who you really are from me too!"

I felt as if my own secrecy had rebounded on me like I was being punished.

"The two of you! I don't want to talk to you for the time being!" I told them firmly.

Leaving the restaurant alone, my bodyguard followed me until I found myself in a bar, drowning my thoughts in alcohol.

It felt like everyone in my life was playing a role, including myself, the biggest pretender of all. Damn it!

As I drank, I couldn't shake off the question: should I try to make new friends or accept being alone? I felt like I let down those I cared about, and they let me down, too. My disappointment outweighed my anger.

Jakob knew everything about me, but I never thought he'd hurt me like this. But then, who was I to demand answers from him?

The hours trickled by, and I lost all sense of time and awareness. Drinking wasn't my usual pastime.

In a twist of ironic fate, when I woke up the following morning, I found myself confronted with the startling realization that I had remarried my 'first' husband overnight!

I woke up to the sight of perhaps the largest engagement ring I'd ever seen on my finger and our marriage license innocently lying on the bed.

'What the hell just happened, Sarah!'

I don't want to drink margaritas anymore.