My Birthday, My Downfall novel Chapter 77

I had been secretly in a relationship with my brother's best friend for seven years.

One drunken night, he said to me in a joking tone, "Janet, let me find you a better man. Stop clinging to me, okay?"

In my past life, I hadn't accepted his suggestion and insisted on marrying him.

After our marriage, he ignored me completely, deliberately distancing himself.

Even when I was eight months pregnant and got into a car accident that caused massive bleeding, he chose to accompany his heartbroken secretary to her favorite concert.

It was then I realized, he was someone else's salvation.

But he was never my soulmate.

I replied calmly, "Alright", which leaving Hank Dawson momentarily stunned.

He hadn't expected me to agree so easily.

In the private lounge, the lights flickered and swayed.

His strikingly handsome face carried an unusual flush, but his eyes remained clear, betraying no hint of drunkenness.

I sat poised and composed, a subtle smile gracing my lips as I looked at him.

Hank's previous laziness disappeared as he straightened his back, his expression turning uncharacteristically serious. "Janet, did you hear what I just said clearly?"

I nodded. "I heard you."

In the past, whenever he said something like that, I'd always act playful, feigning ignorance, begging him to stop saying such things.

But now, my emotions were calm and detached, like an audience member watching a play, unmoved by the performance.

"Janet, you—"

Before he could finish his sentence, my brother, Marco Jones, who had stepped out for some air, walked back in.

Seeing Hank, Marco smirked teasingly. "Guess who I just saw outside?"

Before Hank could respond, Marco continued, "I saw your ex-girlfriend. Looks like she's drunk and being escorted into another private lounge..."

Before Marco finished, Hank shot to his feet and strode out of the room in large steps.

Not long after, the sound of a commotion and the crisp shattering of glass echoed from outside.

I stayed seated, calmly eating the peeled orange slices from the fruit platter.

Hank liked eating fruit but hated peeling it.

As soon as I stepped out of the lounge, my eyes landed on the woman Hank was carefully supporting.

It was his ex-girlfriend, and his future secretary, Lauren.

Lauren was drunk, leaning bonelessly against him.

Not only did Hank not push her away, but he held her tightly instead.

His deep black eyes carried a hint of anger, mixed with a tenderness he likely didn't even realize himself.

Marco walked over, raising an eyebrow as he asked, "Janet, do you think there's a chance they might get back together?"

His voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for Hank to hear.

Hank's head shot up at Marco's words, his gaze landing on me standing not far away.

A fleeting trace of guilt flashed through his eyes as he quickly explained, "I never thought about getting back together with her. She's just drunk..."

I smiled faintly and shook my head. "I understand, Hank. Lauren looks really drunk. You should take her home first."

Hank seemed dissatisfied with my reply, his brow furrowing slightly, but he didn't reject my suggestion.

As he left with Lauren, he didn't forget to instruct my brother, "Don't let her stay out too late. Take her straight home early."