Revenge of the Simp

My friends called me a simp.

I worked three jobs, all to put my girlfriend, Scarlett Reed, through law school.

She'd say:

Ash, when I pass the bar, Ill come back to you.

Ash, when I get confirmed, I'll marry you.

Ash, when I become a partner, well get married immediately.

My friends told me that once they make it, they often ditch their loved ones.

I didn't believe them, and I waited seven years.

Until my mom was nearly assaulted and accidentally killed her attacker.

Frantically, I tried to reach Scarlett, but I couldnt get through.

Desperate, I had no choice but to go to Zenith City to find her.

"Attorney Reed, which Attorney Reed?"

"Oh, you mean Scarlett, don't you?"

"Attorney Reed is already a senior partner at our firm at such a young age. She just married our boss's son and is on her honeymoon."

The receptionist picked up a box of wedding favors from the desk.

"Here, the firm gave these out recently. Their wedding photos are gorgeous."

I stared at the wedding favor box the receptionist handed me, at the names and the wedding photo.

My mind exploded in a deafening buzz.

Scarlett Reed.

Married?

My girlfriend of seven years, seven years of long-distance, the woman Id poured everything into to get her through school, was married?

My face went ashen, my fingertips trembled. I didn't even notice the papers I was holding slip to the floor, my airway instantly constricting, leaving me gasping for breath.

The receptionist looked at me, surprised. "Sir, are you alright?"

My gaze remained fixed on Scarletts picture.

Snapping back to reality, I shook my head, my throat tight. "I'm fine, I'm fine."

"My mom got into trouble. I came all the way from out of town to Zenith City to ask Attorney Reed to represent her, but I didn't expect... I didn't expect her to be so busy."

I explained, my voice catching. The receptionist looked sympathetic and offered to register me to see if other lawyers could help.

"Thank you."

"Can I keep that wedding photo?"

"It's really beautiful. I'd like to find a similar dress when I get married."

The receptionist didn't think much of it and handed me the entire box of favors and the photo.

I pulled out the photo and slipped it into my jacket pocket, right over my heart. In that moment, my heart felt like it was being torn to shreds.

That day, I sat on the steps outside the law firm all afternoon, repeatedly looking at the wedding photo.

It was the most agonizing day of my life.

Mechanically, I kept dialing her number, but the call never went through.

I couldnt understand how Scarlett, who I talked to almost every day, found time to be with someone else.

I couldnt understand why Scarlett, who promised to marry me, ended up marrying another man.

All of it made the past seven yearsthe three jobs, every penny sent to her for tuition, exam fees, and living expensesinto one colossal, heartbreaking joke.

Bitterness, pain, and fury churned inside me. I tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

It wasn't until dawn that my phone finally rang.

I groggily answered, and Scarletts voice came through the line.

"Ash, where are you? Are you still at our firm?"

"I forgot to tell you I went for an out-of-town training session. It was a closed program, no phones allowed. I just got mine back."

"I'm booking a ticket back right now. Wait for me."

Scarlett's urgent tone on the phone would have sounded like genuine concern to anyone.

If I hadnt personally received her wedding favors, I might have drowned in her deceptive excuses once again.

Thinking back, in the year since she joined Sterling & Co., she'd frequently ended our video calls and canceled our dates with various excuses: training, business trips, client meetings.

I'd occasionally get upset, but she'd always soothe me with a few words.

Now, I realized Id been a complete fool.

I clutched my phone, the questions I wanted to ask ready on my tongue, but just as I was about to speak, a muffled male voice drifted from the receiver.

"Wifey, still on the phone in the middle of the night?"

"Did Dad give you another case? Such a hassle, can't even enjoy our honeymoon in peace"

The voice sounded strangely familiar. I thought Id heard it a few times before on her calls.

She had betrayed me long ago.

Scarlett must have stepped outside, muffling the receiver. I didn't hear another word of what followed.

"Ash?"

She cautiously called my name. I stared into the dark hallway, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.

"Scarlett Reed, were you really at a training?"

A long silence stretched on the other end, broken only by her soft sigh.

"You're doing it again."

"Ash, I know you're exhausted because of your aunt's situation, which is why you're being so suspicious."

"Alright, I'll rush back first thing tomorrow morning. Be good, go to sleep."

Before I could say another word, Scarlett abruptly hung up, leaving only a dial tone echoing in my ear.

The next morning, I saw Scarlett, looking disheveled, rushing towards me outside the law firm.

She hadn't even had time to change into her professional attire, her face etched with concern.

"Ash, I'm so sorry, so sorry. It's all my fault. I shouldn't have gone on that business trip now."

Her familiar embrace and warmth made my nose sting. When I saw the marks on her neck, my already cold heart gave a painful twitch.

Scarlett, seeing my distraught state, simply assumed I was worried about my mother's case.

After briefly asking about the situation, she pulled me into the law firm, saying she'd ask her colleagues for a referral.

I followed behind her, overhearing a colleague ask her.

"Attorney Reed, who is this?"

"Oh, just a cousin from back home, here for some personal business."

I clenched the case files in my hand and lowered my head, a bitter laugh escaping me. After she finished speaking with her colleague, I walked over and took Scarlett's hand.

"Cousin, shall we go?"

Scarlett froze, her hand trembling uncontrollably, her expression panicked.

"Cousin, why aren't you moving? Did I say it wrong?"

The colleague across from us looked at our clasped hands, deep in thought.

Scarlett snapped out of it, pulling her hand away from mine.

She gave an awkward laugh and led me out of the office area. Once outside, she pulled me into a secluded corner of the stairwell.

"Ash, I said you were my cousin because I didn't want people gossiping about our relationship."

"Otherwise, during your aunt's trial, there'd be endless chatter, and you wouldn't get a moment's peace."

Such a convincing reason, but behind it lay her recent marriage and the relationship that had long betrayed me.

I instinctively tightened my grip, quietly pulling my hand away.

"I understand."

Scarlett affectionately patted my head. "Good boy."

Scarlett claimed she'd help me find a lawyer, but she kept making excuseseither the collaborating lawyer was unavailable, or the case was too difficult and no one dared to take it.

I knew she just didn't want to get involved with my affairs, didn't want my presence to affect her life.

The day before the trial, I took the organized evidence to Scarlett's office to make one last plea. I pushed the door open, but she wasn't there.

The office was elegantly furnished, with hardly any personal items visible.

On her desk stand, there was an engraved pen with delicate script: "Law in Heart, Integrity in Action."

Signed, Grenier Thorne.

Her new husband, the law firm owner's son.

The door creaked open.

It wasn't Scarlett, but Grenier.

He paused when he saw me, then immediately understood. "You're here to see Scarlett about a case, aren't you?"

Grenier took out paper cups and tea from a cabinet and made me a cup of tea. "Please, have a seat and wait. She's in a meeting, she'll be back soon."

His movements were practiced and natural. Then, he pulled a small, delicate crystal photo frame from his desk drawer and casually placed it in a prominent spot on the corner of the desk.

Inside the frame was an intimate photo of them, and a date was engraved at the bottom of the frame.

It was last New Year's Eve.

The New Year's Eve Scarlett had stood me up.

At that time, Scarlett had just received her bar license and was preparing to be promoted to lead attorney. We had planned for her to come home for New Year's and formally meet my family.

My mom cooked a feast, and even my sister took time off work to wait for her.

But by six in the evening, with the food already cold, Scarlett called to say she had an urgent client case to handle and couldn't make it back.

I saw the angry expressions on my parents' and sister's faces. After hanging up, I had to calm them, "It's just work, you know, she can't help it"

But the disappointment in my heart was something no one could soothe.

Now, seeing this photo frame, I realized that the "urgent case" was actually to spend New Year's Eve with another man.

Scarlett Reed, you truly outdid yourself.

Seeing me staring at the photo frame, Grenier chuckled. "Looks like we're very happy, right?"

"On New Year's Eve, my wife insisted we take this photo. She said to put it on the desk so she could see it every time she looked up, symbolizing that I'm always in her sight."

The joy in Grenier's eyes was so thick it made my own eyes ache.

"Your wife is truly romantic."

I suppressed the bitter churning in my chest and responded offhandedly, my voice terribly dry.

"Indeed, she pursued me for over two years, you know. Even though we've only been together for less than a year, she was eager to settle down with me,"

He chuckled, waving his hand, his tone full of pride. "She said you have to hold on tight to the person you like, or they'll just run off."

"But honestly, couples who date for seven or eight years and still don't get marriedultimately, it's just not meant to be. Nine times out of ten, they end up parting ways."

Every single word was like an ice-cold needle, piercing deeply into my heart, prodding at the most painful spots.

"My wife is one of the brightest young minds at our firm. When she handles a case, her thinking is clear, her methods are tough, and she's never lost. If your family's case were in her hands, it would be a sure win!"

When Grenier spoke of her, his face was alight with pride, an expression like a massive stone, suffocating my chest, making it hard to breathe.

Once upon a time, I too would brag about Scarlett to friends and family, gushing about how smart and hardworking she was, how she passed her bar exam on the first try, how she would become the most brilliant lawyer, my lifelong pride.

But now, she was still the "excellent" person in others' eyes, but no longer someone I could proudly speak of.

Click. He pulled out a cigar and lit it.

I was surprised. Scarlett hated smoking, saying it smelled bad and was unhealthy.

He clipped and lit the cigar, then turned back to me with a smile. "Just to unwind. My wife doesn't like me smoking these, but it's fine as long as I don't do it in front of her."

"She's pregnant, and the smell might bother her."

A buzzing sound filled my ears. My breath caught.

She... she was pregnant?

So, principles could be selective?

My heart ached as if pierced by needles. I picked up a dropped document from the floor and handed it to him.

Just as I was about to speak, the door opened.

It was Scarlett.

Scarlett looked visibly flustered seeing us together.

She gave me a deep look, then smelled the cigar smoke in the room and frowned.

"What are you doing here?"

"Are you smoking again?"

Beneath her slightly scolding tone was an undeniable undertone of concern.

I lowered my head, tracing the paper cup in my hands. It held only warm water, but it felt scalding hot, making my insides ache.

"Oh, don't nag me."

"You have a client waiting for you"

Grenier gestured towards me with his eyes. Scarlett coughed, then spoke, feigning calmness.

"Come with me to the office next door, and bring the materials."

I followed her out.

As soon as the office door locked, Scarletts expression changed.

"Didn't I tell you not to come looking for me? I said I'd keep an eye out for a suitable lawyer for you."

"Coming directly to my office like this, did you consider my situation?"

"What did you say to him?"

Scarletts voice was high-pitched, yet deliberately lowered, as if afraid of being overheard.

"From the moment we met until now, you haven't given me a straight look, not a single explanation, and the first thing you do is blame me."

"You betrayed our seven years together; how can you be so self-righteous in questioning me?"

"What could I say? Should I tell him he's the other man, that he interfered with our seven-year relationship, and let everyone know what kind of person you are?"

Scarlett's expression drastically changed. She frantically clamped her hand over my mouth.

"Don't shout."

"Ash, I'll explain this to you later."

"For now, please, just go back, alright?"

My tears streamed down during the struggle. Perhaps it was out of hatred; I bit hard into Scarlett's hand.

She yelped in pain and let go.

"Why should I leave? Scarlett Reed, tell me, why should I leave!"

"If this blows up, I won't be the one who's humiliated!"

Scarlett pressed her bitten hand, her dark eyes filled with anger.

"Ash, if you dare to cause trouble, no lawyer in Zenith City will dare to take your mom's case!"

The woman I had loved for seven years, through gritted teeth, used my mothers case to threaten me.

From the moment I discovered she had married someone else, Id replayed our potential confrontations over and over in my mind.

Id imagined furious arguments, her admitting or denying, apologizing or begging.

But I never imagined she would say something like this, to warn me.

"Scarlett Reed, are you even human?"

"Every penny you spent during your seven years in law school was earned by my hard work."

"I supported you through seven years of schooling, through your bar exam, through getting your license. I wasted seven years of my youth on you, seven years!"

"Scarlett Reed, do you have any decency?"

Scarlett's cold gaze seemed to pierce right through me. "I'll pay you back the money."

"But you can't disrupt my peaceful life anymore."

Scarlett left, shutting the door with a bang.

I watched as Grenier put his arm around her waist and they walked out of the law firm building.

News about Scarlett and me spread like wildfire. I didn't know what Scarlett had said.

In the rumors, I was the "other man" trying to break up Scarlett's marriage.

The poor country cousin who came to latch onto high society.

"I've never seen such a shameless home-wrecker before!"

"I knew something was up when he saw Attorney Reed's wedding favors at the front desk and looked so pale. Turns out he was just trying to worm his way in as the other man!"

"Yeah, I heard he used his mom's case to gain sympathy, even trying to emotionally blackmail Attorney Reed into getting a divorce!"

"Attorney Reed already promised to help him find a lawyer, and he still bit the hand that fed him!"

"Oh my god, you really can't trust these poor relatives."

"He's just jealous now that Attorney Reed is a partner and doing well. He wants to take a shortcut. He didn't appreciate her when she was struggling; now who would want a man like him?!"

I listened to the whispers from the law firm's break room, then turned and roared.

"I'm not, I didn't!"

"I'm not the other man!"

My defense was swallowed by the chatter.

Everyone started to shun me. Even when I tried to consult other lawyers, they all made excuses and turned me away.

I don't know why my mom heard some whispers in the detention center. Through the visitation glass, she asked me, looking frail,

"Ash, did something happen?"

"Don't be afraid, Mom is fine. Mom won't hold you back."

My mother's words made me want to cry.

But I knew I had to hold back.

At least, I had to wait for my mother's trial, to get a verdict.

"No, nothing's wrong. What could be wrong?"

"Mom, don't worry, I've already found a lawyer. The trial will definitely clear your name, and you'll be out soon."

I lied.

My voice trembled even as I spoke the lie.

The trial date arrived. Without a professional lawyer to defend her, my mom was speechless, unable to respond to the opposing lawyer's interrogation.

Ultimately, the court immediately pronounced my mom guilty of negligent homicide, sentencing her to two years in prison.

My mom collapsed in the courtroom on the spot and was escorted to the detention center by court officers.

On the third day of her detention, I received a call from the detention center saying my mom had a sudden heart attack, and after being rushed to the hospital, she passed away.

When I arrived at the hospital, I only saw my mom covered by a white sheet. In that moment, my world crumbled.

Back at the detention center, everyone pointed at me and whispered.

"Look how quickly karma strikes. What good can come to a home-wrecker? Serves him right!"

"Indeed. Do enough morally bankrupt things, and retribution will come knocking eventually. He brought this upon himself!"

"Why choose to be the other man and even show up at their doorstep? I heard the wife is heavily pregnant too"

"It's a sin, serves him right!"

"Hey? Wasn't the wife that lawyer who came to see his mom?"

"Seems so. I heard she's the managing partner's son"

"The wife must have gone to settle scores with his mom. No wonder his mom passed away so suddenly"

The whispers were soft, but I heard every single word.