The Calm Before Ruin

My fiancée and I had been together for ten years. In everyone's eyes, we were the perfect couple.

After she saved my life, with tears in my eyes, I made her a promise:

"In this lifetime, I'll do 100 things for you."

On the eve of our wedding, we decided to climb a snow-covered mountain. An unexpected avalanche struck, and we were stranded at a local farmhouse.

Her first love, who was the expedition leader, was injured while trying to save her. In the confusion, he accidentally took an aphrodisiac rather than a painkiller.

My fiancée, who had always seemed so traditional and reserved, did not hesitate. She began taking off her clothes, saying she needed to "help" him.

Everyone waited for me to explode in rage.

Instead, I calmly stepped aside.

Three promises remained. Once they were fulfilled, Yvette Jenkins and I would owe each other nothing.

However, then it would be time for me to return… and take over my mafia family.

Ethan Carter flung Yvette Jenkins's bra in my face before slamming the door shut behind him.

The flimsy door did little to muffle Yvette's moans.

The sting on my face lingered.

A fellow hiker, with a sneer, gave me a once-over and quipped, "Never pegged Mr. White as the sharing type, giving away his fiancée's first time like that.

"Maybe you'll let us have a go, too..."

At those words, my pent-up rage exploded.

I lunged and landed a solid punch on the mocker's face.

Before I could unleash more of my fury, Yvette intervened.

She grabbed my hand and rushed into the room, her eyes filled with worry for Ethan.

"Ethan said you could have me first, just until it's done. After that, I'll go take care of his 'illness.'

"That settles it, right? We're not breaking any promises this way."

I could not help but snort in disbelief.

Yvette stopped in her tracks, shot me a fierce look, her annoyance plain to see.

"Jayden! Would I have even come up with this if you hadn't made such a big deal about the first night?

"Ethan's too kind, considering your ego! You're clueless!"

Ethan's voice was laced with feigned regret, but his eyes twinkled with triumph as he said, "Sorry, Jayden, I... I didn't want it this way, but there's no other option now...

"I'm reacting to the meds, my apologies..."

With that, he deliberately caressed Yvette's chin and leaned in for a kiss, right in front of me.

They were like a spark to kindling, their passion igniting unabashedly as I stood there.

Amid their breathy exchanges, I turned numbly and walked away.

The crowd's gazes, some sympathetic, some scornful, followed me as I left.

My fist was clenched so tight that my nails dug into the soft skin of my palm, but I did not even feel the pain that should have been shooting through me.

It was not until half an hour later that Yvette emerged. She was wearing Ethan's bulky jacket,