Chapter 3

My mother pushed open the door.

"Ava, what's going on? The officiant said the engagement's been delayed."

Her voice was tight with urgency.

"Why haven't the Morettis arrived? Did something happen?"

She looked up at Victor, carefully choosing her words.

"Victor, do you know?"

Tommy scoffed.

"Mr. and Mrs. Moretti don't even know about the engagement today. How exactly would they show up?"

My mother stopped mid-step.

The color slowly drained from her face, but she fought to hold herself together.

"Did they just get held up with something? That's fine. Don't fight over this."

Victor cut her off.

"Ma'am, the engagement's been postponed. Could you let the guests know?"

"Everyone came out for nothing today. I'll come by another time to apologize."

My mother was silent for a moment, then forced a smile.

"That's all right. Another day works too. No need to apologize—whatever fits your parents' schedule."

"Why don't we all have dinner together, though? Just a casual family meal."

Victor said impatiently, "Sure. We'll figure it out later."

My mother stood there, so awkward she didn't know what to do with her hands.

My eyes stung.

All these years, because the Moretti family had never thought I was good enough, my mother could never hold her head up either.

Every word she said was measured, careful—terrified of offending them, of causing trouble for me.

I took her arm and guided her toward the door.

"Mom, just follow the officiant's lead for now."

She patted my hand.

"Talk it out with Victor. Don't fight."

I nodded.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."

I walked her out.

The second the door closed, Tommy let out a loud laugh.

"She's really something."

"So afraid the Boss is going to dump her daughter she's practically hand-delivering her."

"Boss, I think she's even more desperate to get into the Moretti family than Ava is."

I walked over and slapped Tommy across the face.

The crack was sharp and clean.

Tommy stood there, stunned.

Victor immediately shoved me back and pulled Tommy behind him.

I stumbled and had to grab the vanity to steady myself.

Victor was furious. "Ava, when did you become like this?"

"Tommy makes one little joke and you hit him?"

I smiled coldly.

"I was just joking too. Why are you taking it so seriously?"

Victor took a deep breath.

He looked at my face and seemed to finally realize I wasn't just throwing a tantrum.

He stepped back.

"Fine. You've made your point."

"Let's end this here."

"I'll reimburse you for the banquet costs."

"And don't tell your mother about the bet. No need to worry her."

That lofty, magnanimous act of his was so nauseating it almost made me laugh.

My phone buzzed.

A message from my mother: "Ava, the banquet starts in fifteen minutes."

I typed back, stone-faced: "Don't worry, Mom. The engagement banquet will start on time."

Victor saw me typing and frowned.

"Ava, will you stop this?"

His eyes were full of contempt.

"Fine. I'd love to see how you plan to wrap this up."

"Let me tell you something first—anyone who embarrasses the Moretti family won't be part of it."

He turned and waved his crew toward the door.

Before they'd even made it out, I heard them placing bets again.

"How long before she goes crawling back to the Boss?"

"I give it a minute."

"I say thirty seconds."

Victor didn't stop them.

He let them make entertainment out of me. He assumed I would fold.

So all he sent me was one message.

"That's enough. Don't take this too far."

The dressing room door was pushed open from outside.

Adrian Cross stood in the doorway.

"I'm not late, am I?"