Moonlace : Brew of Alchemy and Love.

The Memento

James’s POV

James was dumbfounded by the slap. Jessica had always been obedient and compliant in front of him, fulfilling his every egoistic desire. That was the main reason that he still kept her by his side. She always fulfilled his manly pride. However, this slap left him with no face.

"Jessica..." James said with a very dangerous tone, feeling both angry and humiliated, he suddenly caught Jessica by the nape of her neck and looked down at her with glowing eyes. He shook her and tried to squeeze her neck, but Jessica struggled and pierced her nails in his wrists, trying to break free, when he suddenly let go.

Jessica who was struggling to breathe and had her arms clasped at her chest stared at him with tears in her eyes. She was about to strike back at him, it was as if an animal within her had been unleashed, but his next words stopped her. His eyes were focused on an area above her chest, on her neck. “I see how loyal you have been to me, Jessica.”

Jessica’s POV

‘s**t’ Jessica thought. Her dress had slipped during their fight and she hadn’t noticed it, but James had noticed the bite marks on her chest and the biggest bite on her neck. ‘Whatever, I am going to break up with him anyways. He was the one that cheated on me, I am not going to explain this to him anymore.’ Thought Jessica. She gave him a wild smile.

He pulled her collar open and saw ambiguous marks on her delicate collarbone! Grace, who had been resentful after being slapped, coldly taunted, "James, it seems like your self-righteous girlfriend knows how to play too!" James' face darkened. "Jessica, what is going on?!" Jessica coldly sneered, "What do you think?"

She had come here to find some comfort in him and also to celebrate his birthday but she witnessed herself being cheated on. There was no need to explain what happened last night to him now. Jessica pushed away his hand, pulled up her collar, and spoke in a cold and sarcastic tone, "You can cheat on me behind my back, so of course, I can make you wear the green hat too!"

"How shameless can you be, pretending to be innocent in front of me," James retorted with an angry tone. Jessica tightly bit her lip and trembled slightly. She never expected someone to be so despicable!

What was the point in keeping this scumbag? She took a deep breath to calm herself a bit and with a wildness in her character that she never knew she had in her she stared him in the eyes and mockingly said “James there is no use of talking about this anymore.” She rolled her eyes and continued, "James, we're breaking up!"

James’s POV

Jessica looked cooled and arrogant at this point. Seeing this James was taken aback, and was about to speak when Grace grabbed his arm. She smirked and said, "We can all play separately from now on, nothing wrong with that." At these words, James struggled for a moment before nodding in agreement.

After her outburst, Jessica had calmed down, her eyes were now dark and solemn but they also had some spark in them, a new shine. "Since we're breaking up, don't forget to return the 1,50,000 dollars I lent you for the house," she said. James was stunned.

He had already used the money to pay for the mortgage, how was he supposed to give it back? As someone who had only worked for two years, 1,50,000 dollars was a considerable sum for him. Even if he wanted to pay the amount, he needed to work at least for 5 years to save that much money.

He decided to not take responsibility for it and claimed, "You gave it to me voluntarily." “Voluntarily?” Jessica shrieked. She couldn’t understand how can a person be this despicable and utterly shameless. “If you hadn't said that the house was for us to live in after marriage, would I have given you the money?" Jessica reasoned.

Jessica’s POV

She was just a poor doctor, and that money was hard-earned through part-time jobs and participating in academic competitions. She would not let this scumbag get away with it!

Jessica said coldly, "You can choose not to return it, but then your Graduation secret, your underhand surgeries and the story behind every single popular report of yours will be published in the daily newspaper. Let the world see what their talented young talent doctor is for in real…...."

James' face darkened at the implication of what she was suggesting. If this matter was exposed, his future and his medical license….... He gave her a sullen look and through gritted teeth, said "I'll return the money to you."

“I want the money in the next 3 months, my lawyer will be coming soon to get the necessary signs on the contracts. I don’t believe in you at all.” Jessica said with a cold tone. She glared at him then turned and left.

All she wanted now was to leave this disgusting office and get away from that scumbag! She hurriedly walked with her head down. Just as she arrived at the doorway, she collided with a solid chest. "Sorry," she murmured and quickly walked away.

Eric’s POV

"Mr. Eric, are you all right?" asked his assistant beside him. Eric waved his hand and looked after Jessica's retreating figure, his dark eyes filled with suspicion. This woman...her smell….it never seemed too lose its effect on him, he shook his head and focused on the task at his hand.

He knew that it was Jessica and he so wanted to run behind her. He had heard the commotion just now. She seemed to have caught the James she mentioned yesterday cheating with a woman behind her back. ‘Good for me’, Eric thought. He wanted to make sure that she was all right.

But, he couldn’t go behind her yet. Just a little bit more. "Let's go in now, you need to get checked," said Robert with a smile. ”I don’t want to go and ask someone to keep an eye on that lady that just collided with me.” Eric said with a bland tone.

"But this was specially instructed by your Grandma. She cares about you," Robert tried to convince Eric. Eric gave him a sideway glance and took a step forward, instructing him to contact Grandma later.

"What about the girl who saved you?" asked Robert. Eric had told Robert to keep an eye on Jessica and see to it that she is well protected as he had many enemies in this werewolf world as well as the human world. If by any chance anyone comes to know about her, she will be in danger. So better safe than sorry.

Grandma wanted to meet her daughter-in-law and make things official. He was busy with the pack affairs and the royal customs to be done after finding a mate. So he had asked Robert to deal with other things.

"I have told Grandma about it, my grandmother wants to meet her tomorrow. You contact her first. I might be late today" said Eric, hesitating for a moment before adding with a cold glint in his eyes, "I want to know who spiked my drink. Who has the guts to drug me?"

Whoever dared to plot against him had some nerve. He walked away and secretly followed Jessica. Though he asked his men to keep an eye on her, it was different for him. She was his mate after all. Staying away from her made his wolf unhappy and he was also worried about her.

Although he was very busy, he still couldn’t make himself stay away from her. “After today, you will finally be with me officially.” He said to himself and drove away.

Jessica’s POV,

Jessica arrived at an empty park, She sat down on a nearby bench and finally let herself go. The dam that wanted to break for a long time finally broke. Finally able to release her pent-up emotions.

She wanted her money back from what she spent on James, but what about the genuine love she had given? Even a dog would know how to bark a few times if given food, but he wanted to bite her back!

After five years of love, from high school to college, James had always been her senior. She followed his footsteps, waiting eagerly to marry him and have their own happy little home in this bustling city.

James' words from earlier were still ringing in Jessica's ears. Nevertheless, the fact was that she never stayed overnight at his place. Because somewhere in her mind, she wasn’t ready to take the last step with him. Now, she was thankful that she didn’t do it.

She didn't wear makeup or dress up because she really didn't have the extra money. Her grandmother was still in the intensive care unit and needed expensive treatment, and James needed money for the house, as the house was for both of them to live, she didn’t mind helping him to arrange the money.

Shelter was a necessity, whereas makeup and stylish clothes were a luxury. She wanted to save as much money as she can to save her Grandma and that’s why she never spent a penny on her.

Jessica shook her head bitterly. These were all just excuses from a scumbag, and she didn't have to take them seriously! She wiped away the tears that kept falling. Since they had already broken up, she vowed to live well in the future and not let that scumbag disgust her anymore!

Bella’s POV

As soon as Bella got home, she couldn't wait to tell her parents that she was going to marry into a wealthy family and become Mrs. Collins. But she didn't admit that she was pretending.

At first, Daniel and his wife didn't believe it. How could such a good thing happen to their family? How could the heir to the Collins family, Eric, marry their daughter?

They didn't believe it until Robert called. "This is Eric's personal assistant!" Bella proudly explained to her parents, then answered the phone on speaker. Daniel and his wife were nervous and listened carefully.

"Miss Bella, Eric says Grandma Collins wants to see you tomorrow, and he hopes you will be prepared in advance."

Bella quickly nodded, "Okay! I'll be sure to prepare well."

Robert chuckled and said, "Clothes and other things will be sent to you later. Just bring the memento."

"A memento?" Bella was taken aback.

Robert explained, "It's the necklace Eric gave you last night. It's a memento from Mr. Eric to Mrs. Collins."

Bella panicked, she didn't even have a necklace! "What if I don't have it...what will happen?"

Robert's tone suddenly changed, "Don't have it?"

Bella realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly changed it, "I mean, what if I can't find it?"

"If it's lost, Grandma Collins won't acknowledge your identity. Did you lose the necklace..."

"No!" Bella quickly denied it.

"It's just that I came back from the rural project with too many things, and I'm not sure where it is...Oh, and it was too dark last night, I didn't pay attention to the necklace's appearance, so I don't remember what it looks like. Robert, could you-"

"Okay, I'll send you a photo later."

Robert thought to himself, "This woman is so strange."