He Doesn't Know I am His First Love

1.

When I woke up, Jackson Green almost strangled me to death.

I was almost in shock, yet stark-naked.

Come on! Even if I were to die, I'd want to look presentable. I couldn't go to the underworld naked!

My will to survive kicked in, and I struggled frantically, using both hands and feet.

Finally, I managed to kick right between his legs.

Only then did he abruptly loosen his hand that had been gripping my neck.

I quickly dodged to the side and started coughing violently. The tremors in my body set off unbearable soreness all over.

My underwear was strewn on the floor beside the bed, and the events of last night suddenly came flooding back to me.

Sinful indeed! To escape the pressure of family-arranged marriages, we signed a fake marriage contract. Now, with the three-year term nearly expired, such a thing had occurred.

I stiffly turned my head. On Jackson's shoulder, there was still the faint mark of my bite, tinged with red.

The first rays of morning sunlight streamed into the room, casting light on his face.

The handsome face of this high society prince was now deathly pale.

His deep, almond-shaped eyes stared at me intensely, radiating a strong desire to kill me.

I was rather confused. Had I done something like wiping out his entire family? It was just a matter of sharing a bed. Was it really that serious?

Though inwardly unwilling to yield, I was daunted by his terrifying expression. So, I directed an obsequious smile his way.

But his face turned even darker.

"Did you slip me a mickey?"

"I didn't!" I snapped back, refusing to be wrongly accused.

I stuck out my chin defiantly. Nonsense! I wasn't going to let him jump to conclusions like that.

"If not you, then who?"

He suddenly lunged at me, grabbing my neck again. "I came back from the dinner yesterday planning to rest, and I only drank the water you gave me!"

"I'm totally innocent, okay? I just poured you a glass of water, and then you dragged me onto the bed, kissing and groping me."

We were both stark naked, and then we began to fight.

But in the end, I was a woman. How could I possibly stand a chance against a burly, muscular man?

He effortlessly pinned me down with one hand, and I was seething with rage.

"So what if it was me? We're adults. It's just sleeping together. Who are you trying to impress with this act? Acting all coy like a maiden, so hypocritical!" I had hoped to score a verbal victory, but the moment those words left my mouth, his face froze.

His face, previously flushed with anger, gradually turned pale-blue, and I could hear his teeth grinding.

I had been always good at reading people.

While he was in a daze, I recalled last night's first encounter-he seemed so disoriented that he could hardly figure out the right way, and everything happened at an astonishingly rapid pace.

Suddenly, it dawned on me, and my face turned ashen.

"Oh my god! You're not really a virgin, are you?"

2.

That morning, I was genuinely close to being strangled to death by Jackson.

It was only his mother, my mother-in-law's phone call that proved my innocence.

Her voice was so loud that it was crystal clear through the receiver.

"Kate, dear, when I visited your place yesterday, I accidentally spilled something into the water dispenser. You haven't had any stomach problems, have you?" Her tone was brimming with a triumphant lilt.

Once the truth came to light, I finally managed to escape a disaster.

I rubbed my neck and glanced at Jackson, who looked as pale and rigid as a statue. For some reason, I felt increasingly uneasy.

I knew he had someone in his heart. I'd known that for three years.

When I found out, I secretly scoffed. Jackson, the playboy who was rumored to have affair with every socialite, actually had a carefully-hidden photo of his idealized, unattainable love interest in his wallet.

What a hypocritical love, what a cheap sentiment!

I wouldn't want it even if it were offered to me on a silver platter.

But now it seemed the rumors of him having affairs with socialites were nothing but baseless gossip.

Watching his dejected figure, I swallowed hard and nudged him.

"Were you perhaps saving your first time for... the person in that photo?" As soon as I said that, he visibly shuddered, avoiding my gaze and lowering his head while clutching the blanket more tightly.

I was almost scared out of my mind. Good heavens! Was this really the same Jackson, the charming rogue adored by thousands?

"Are you going to cry? I didn't do it on purpose! I'm a victim too!"

He finally turned to look at me. His eyes still held the look of someone who regarded me as a sworn enemy, yet they were rimmed with red, and a sheen of tears clouded his pupils.

I cried out for help in my mind. Oh my god!

Good heavens! I, Kate, had always been kind-hearted and virtuous. I had donated a fortune to charity, and even offered food to countless stray dogs!

But now, just because of one careless act, I was wrongly labeled a lecher!

And the object of my romantic misadventure turned out to be Jackson, the notorious playboy in the capital's elite circles, known as the city's most rakish figure.

Could anyone even believe this mess?!

There was a loud bang.

The jilted beauty stormed out, slamming the door.

I felt lost and dejected, devastated and guilt-ridden by my unexpected role as a romantic scoundrel.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a black wallet. My heart skipped a beat, and I carefully picked it up and opened it.

Sure enough, despite changing wallets numerous times over the past three years, that photo was still carefully stashed in the inner pocket.

I quietly took out the photo, clasped my hands together in prayer.

Sorry, Miss Idealized Love, I was a sinner! But there was still a chance to make amends! I promised, once the contract expired, I would pack up and leave immediately, without any delay!

"Wait, why does it sound more like I ran away from a one-night stand?" I was desperate, unable to resist looking down at the photo in my hand.

Three years ago, I didn't get a clear look before Jackson snatched it away. Today, I finally saw the true face of this "idealized love"...

I suddenly stood up, holding the photo high, looking left and right, from above and below, finally bringing it close to my eyes, confirming repeatedly. A thunderous realization struck my mind-

Oh my god!

The chubby girl in the photo, wearing a dance dress, standing on the podium like a celestial being. With a proud and aloof expression, she took the trophy. Wasn't that me during my childhood when I was overweight?!!

Thankfully, I had had a complete transformation after losing weight. There was no trace of my former self. Otherwise, it would be so embarrassing!

Such embarrassing childhood memory!

Jackson had kept it carefully for so many years!

He had liked me for so many years?!

What on earth was going on in his mind?!

3.

When I nervously finished my shower and went to find Jackson with the photo in hand, he was sitting on the terrace, drinking alone.

Seeing me with the photo, his expression changed, and he rushed over with the bottle.

I thought he was going to smash it over my head, and I retreated in shock, falling onto the sofa.

But he only snatched the photo, carefully examining it to ensure it wasn't damaged before slightly relaxing.

When he faced me, he immediately assumed a cold and menacing expression.

Leaning over to cover me with his tall figure, Jackson gritted his teeth and said, "Do you really have a death wish?"

Pinned beneath him, clinging to a last shred of hope, I asked, "Is the person in the photo really the one you like?"