Chapter 3

Julian froze. Disbelief flashed across his eyes.

"You're calling off the engagement?"

I withdrew my hand.

"That way she won't have to sneak around showing off anymore. That ring of yours—you can go ahead and swap it for the one that matches hers."

"Elena, don't talk like that when you're angry." Julian's voice went cold. "Chloe has never once tried to steal your place as Godmother. You don't need to put on this act. I told you—in a month, everything will go back to the way it was."

I couldn't help laughing.

But the place where my heart sat felt as if a blade were sawing back and forth through it, the pain almost enough to strangle me.

"Back to what way?" I stared at this man who controlled half the underworld of North America. "After the two of you have had your fill of tangling in some foreign country, then I'm supposed to walk into St. Patrick's Cathedral like a fool and swear that we will never betray each other?"

"Julian, it makes me sick."

"I can't pretend nothing happened."

I couldn't accept that my fiancé had betrayed me, and I couldn't begin to understand what role I was supposed to play as the stumbling block in their forbidden, agonized love.

Julian looked exasperated. "Chloe is emotionally unstable right now! As her older sister, can't you show a little consideration?"

Consideration? For them? For Chloe flying to Russia every month for a date with him? For Julian proposing to her in front of the whole family?

I drew a slow breath. "Julian Ashford. You slept with my sister, and you want *me* to be considerate?"

The stabbing pain in my chest almost drowned me.

I spoke slowly. "Let's just end it here."

The bedroom door was suddenly pushed open.

Chloe stood outside, her eyes red, her body trembling, tears falling one after another.

"Elena... it's my fault, none of it is Julian's fault! I was the one who fell for him, I was the one who wouldn't let him go..."

"But I really never meant to replace you! I know it's a betrayal of you and of the family, but I couldn't control myself..."

"It's all my fault..."

Julian moved on instinct, closing the distance in a single stride and pulling her into his arms.

Chloe wept against his chest, pleading.

"Elena, I promise—I'll leave New York right now, I'll never appear in front of him again!" Her voice was shaking violently. "I'm begging you... don't call off your engagement..."

Julian looked down at her, tenderness aching in his eyes. "Don't talk nonsense. Silly girl."

I looked at Chloe, numb. From childhood onward, as the older sister, I had given in to her about everything. Fine food, couture gowns, family resources—the first thought I ever had was of her.

We had never fought.

In those first years after I met Julian, Chloe had even lifted her chin at him with all the imperiousness of a spoiled child: "Who do you think you are? *I* am Elena's most loyal guard. I take better care of her than you ever will!"

And back then, Julian would only ruffle my hair fondly and shoot back, "No one loves Elena more than I do. Not even you."

The two who had once quarreled over the right to look after me, who had sworn in front of me to protect me for a lifetime, had now, in the cruelest possible way, entangled themselves behind my back.

"You don't need to put on this scene. The engagement—I'm calling it off. It's decided."

"Elena, enough!" Julian's patience snapped. His voice was harsh. "Can't you see what state Chloe is in right now?"

I didn't say another word.

Something must have told him his tone had gone too far. Julian forced his emotions down. "When you've calmed down, we'll talk. Get some rest first."

He didn't look at me again. He put his arm around Chloe and walked out of the room.

The heavy slam of the door rattled through the walls.

I turned and looked at the black-diamond ring on the rosewood table.

Once it had stood for absolute power and eternal favor. Now it looked like nothing but the punchline of a ridiculous joke.

I walked to the window, drew the curtain back, and hurled the ring into the storm-battered dark of Lake Michigan.

The token that marked me as Donna—I didn't want it. And Julian Ashford—I didn't want him either.