Chapter 1

"Molly, your turn." Reese winked at her. "You're the one who just beat me three rounds in a row."

Molly laughed. Light, easy, girlish.

She hadn't laughed like that around me in a long time.

Molly tilted her head, thinking. "I have the most loyal fiancé."

She turned to me with a half-smile. "Boring and dull."

The atmosphere in the private room went cold.

Everyone looked my way, some with concern, others with barely concealed mockery.

But I just sat quietly beside Molly, gently swirling the wine in my glass.

Reese seemed completely oblivious to the tension. He clinked his glass against Molly's. "Does something that obvious even need saying? Molly, you're not even taking this game seriously!"

Reese leaned forward, the collar of his white shirt falling open to reveal a strip of honey-gold skin.

"Let me show you how this game is supposed to be played."

His voice dropped, intimate and deliberate. "In this room sits someone I can't have."

Reese paused, his gaze drifting toward Molly, casually and purposefully at the same time.

"Every inch of her skin is beautiful, and she has the most captivating red heart-shaped birthmark."

The moment those words landed, I tightened my grip on the wineglass until my knuckles went white.

Molly had a red, heart-shaped birthmark on the inside of her right breast. I'd only found out by accidentally walking in on her changing.

She was a devout Christian who strictly refused any form of premarital sex.

Even being seen undressed by me had been a source of shame for her.

So back then, Molly had slapped me across the face without a second's hesitation. But right now, she just smiled.

Everyone shook their heads and put their fingers down, except Reese and Molly.

Whistles and shrieks filled the room as everyone's eyes bounced between the two of them.

I forced the corners of my mouth up, my heart sinking to the floor.

But Molly didn't seem to notice how I felt. She kept playing, eager as ever.

"I have a private island covered in roses."

"I had no idea. Was that from Davis?"

"Davis is too stiff and dull to ever surprise me like that." Molly's gaze drifted toward Reese, her cheeks flushing under the influence of alcohol. "It's a birthday present I got for someone."

When she finished, my entire body went rigid, my jaw clenched tight.

I knew exactly which island she was talking about.

A few weeks ago, around Valentine's Day, Molly had told me she'd prepared a surprise for me.

And the purchase contract for that island had shown up the very next day after she mentioned the surprise.

I'd been thrilled, waiting for her to hand me that contract. But Valentine's Day came and went, and she never did.

I'd assumed she simply forgot. I never imagined that the real surprise was using my money to buy an island as a birthday present for another man.

The room went dead silent.

Reese ignored the awkwardness entirely and waved at me. "Your turn, Davis."

I raised my glass and said in a low voice, "I have a grand wedding of the century."

"Are you kidding me? You're just some office worker. What wedding of the century!" Reese scoffed.

I wasn't surprised by his contempt.

After all, in their minds, I was nothing but a talentless pushover trailing after Molly, patient and loyal and pathetic.

"But as of now, it's all canceled."

I finished speaking and drained my glass in one go.

When the glass hit the table with a heavy thud, the room fell silent.

Molly frowned, her voice impatient. "Davis, do you have any idea how embarrassing you're being right now?"

"Embarrassing?" I let out a cold laugh. "That's rich, coming from you."

"Davis, it's just a game. What are you throwing a tantrum for!"

"Davis, don't be a buzzkill."

Reese's voice carried a condescending edge. "It's just a game."

"You don't look so good. Want to step out onto the terrace for some air?" He reached over, casually dropping a hand on my shoulder.

I looked down at that hand. On his middle finger sat a serpentine platinum ring.

I'd bought that ring at an auction last year as a birthday gift for Molly. And now it was sitting on Reese's hand.

Molly noticed where I was looking and opened her mouth as if to say something.

Reese cut in first. "I'll walk with you. I could use a stretch anyway."

On my way out, I clearly heard the voices behind me.

"Molly, tonight was a bit much. You should go smooth things over with him."

"Relax. He can't live without me.

"It's Reese I feel bad for. He was having a good time and Davis ruined the mood, and now Reese has to go comfort him." Molly raised her voice deliberately, making sure I could still hear through the door. "If Davis apologizes to Reese properly, I might consider forgiving him."

My hands clenched into fists.

This was the woman I'd given up everything for. The woman I'd set my heart on protecting.

And on the eve of our engagement, not a single moment of her care or patience had been spent on me.