Chapter 1

My fiancé Sebastian Blake never loses at cards, unless Olivia Cross asks him to.

And whenever he loses to her, she would ask him to cancel his wedding. And he agrees without hesitation.

This is the tenth time my fiancé cancels our wedding. This time I stop begging and call his brother.

I am done with his betrayal.

...

Sebastian Blake is the eldest son of Marcus Blake, the Casino King of Atlantic City. He grew up at card tables and he never loses.

Except to one person.

Olivia Cross. His "girl best friend."

Every time she pouts, he caves. She's cost me nine weddings. I stood in a white dress nine separate times while Sebastian called it off because Olivia needed something.

After the ninth time, I told him straight: "If you cancel our wedding one more time, I'm going home and marrying whoever my family picks for me."

He laughed and pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead like I was being cute.

"Babe, a bet's a bet. You know the rules."

So here we are. The night before wedding number ten, Olivia leans across the table, eyes bright, lips curled into that smile I've learned to hate.

"Seb, one last round. High card draw."

He raises an eyebrow. "What's the stakes?"

"If I lose, I'll be your groomsman tomorrow. Well, groomsmaid." She laughs at her own joke. "But if you lose... you have to do whatever I say. No questions asked."

Sebastian grins. "Deal."

He flips his card. King of spades.

Olivia tuts. "Best two out of three?"

He draws twice more. Both threes.

The room goes quiet.

Olivia turns to me, and her smile stretches wide. "Sorry, Clara. Looks like your man's spending tonight with me."

My chest goes cold.

Sebastian wraps his arm around Olivia's shoulder and laughs. "Come on, babe, don't look like that. It's just a game."

Olivia tilts her head. "Yeah, Clara. Relax. It's one night. Besides..." She looks me up and down. "Who else would marry him if not you?"

I wait for Sebastian to say something to push her off or to defend me.

But he just squeezes Olivia tighter and chuckles. "She's got a point though, who else would put up with me?"

The room laughs. A few people look away, embarrassed for me.

I stare at Sebastian for a long time.

Then I step out of the room, pull out my phone, and dial.

"Noah. That promise you made, about marrying me. Does it still stand?"

Silence on the other end. Then a breath, shaky, like he's been holding it for years.

"Yes. God, yes. That promise is good for life, Clara."

I hang up and walk in the room.

I bet Sebastian doesn't even notice my heart has gone.