Chapter 2

After returning from the fake office, I numbly packed what little I owned.

I didn't want a home without love anymore.

And I didn't want love that always left me waiting.

Suddenly, someone shoved my bedroom door open.

Odette walked in with her arm linked through Rhys's.

Her gaze locked on the couture wedding dress in my closet.

It was an archival designer piece Darian had bought for me at a charity auction, raising his paddle seven times and paying $1.6 million.

He'd told me to wear it when we got married so I'd be the most beautiful bride.

“Rhys, that dress is gorgeous. I'd look so beautiful in it when I say my vows to Darian.”

As soon as she finished, Rhys snapped, “Ines, give her the dress.”

I raised my arms to shield the dress.

“No.”

The rims of Odette's eyes instantly reddened. She bit her lip.

“Forget it, Rhys. I was just saying.”

“Things that nice were never meant for me anyway.”

Rhys's voice turned cold.

“You've taken so much from her. Is giving her one dress back really too much to ask?”

I looked up, my gaze lifeless.

“I'm wearing it when I get married in three days.”

Rhys laughed, his shoulders shaking.

“Married? Darian's marrying Odette. Do you seriously still not get that?”

I tightened my grip on the skirt and spoke each word distinctly.

“Darian isn't the man I'm marrying.”

“That's even funnier. For nine years, you've done nothing but follow him around. What other man could you possibly know?”

“Ines, at least make up something we can believe.” Odette laughed, too.

I took a deep breath and spoke slowly.

“The man I'm marrying is a Veymont.”

Odette froze for a moment, then doubled over laughing.

“Veymont? Which Veymont? Don't tell me you mean the Veymont family that controls all those banks and investment firms.”

“What next? Are you going to say the head of that financial group got down on his knees and begged you to marry him?”

“You're a little upset. You don't have to make a fool of yourself.”

I didn't argue. I just lowered my eyes, my voice quiet.

“You'll find out in three days.”

Rhys scoffed. “Keep making things up.”

Just then, a familiar mocking voice came from the doorway.

“Ines, I promised you. Once Odette's done playing and we're divorced, I'll marry you.”

“Are you that impatient? Now you're even dragging the Veymont family into this.”

“Stop making excuses to stall. Give her the dress.”

Darian walked in and immediately tried to snatch the wedding dress from me.

Riiiip—

The sharp sound of tearing filled the room.

The dress split at the waist, ripping the satin and tulle in two.

Just like the nine years of my youth I'd wasted.

My eyes burned with tears, but I swallowed the hurt back down.

Only then did Darian seem to notice something was wrong.

“Don't give me that look. I paid for this dress, so of course I get to decide who wears it.”

“I'll buy you an even more expensive one when I find something suitable.”

Odette nestled into his arms and spoke sweetly.

“The dress is ruined, so I can't wear it either. Can we make that lakeside mansion you were going to give Ines our home after the wedding?”

Darian paused and glanced at me.

The next second, he took out his phone and called his assistant.

“Have the lawyer prepare the gift paperwork. Transfer the house at Lake Las Vegas into Odette's name.”

After hanging up, he looked at me, his tone dismissive.

“Once she and I are divorced and I actually marry you, I'll have her transfer it back.”

I looked at his face and found no sincerity there. My love for him died a little more.

Just then, my phone vibrated softly.

[Ines, the gift paperwork for the mansion in the Summerlin foothills is ready. Once you sign, the title will be in your name alone.]

[That will be our home.]

I stared at the message for three seconds.

Then I blinked against the sting in my eyes.

I looked up at Darian, my voice calm.

“Don't bother transferring it back.”

“I don't want that house.”

“Someone's already prepared one for me.”