Chapter 2

No one expected me to walk away so easily, or to take it all so calmly. Some started whispering that I was just playing hard to get.

Others even bet on how long it would take before I came crawling back.

If this had been before, maybe I would have wasted my breath explaining, telling them no, I really had let Kyle go.

That I did not love him anymore. That I had zero interest in being the Gill family’s young madam.

Now, instead of arguing with a pack of gossip, I would rather think about where I would move once this breakup was truly behind me.

I was still lost in thought when someone grabbed my arm. I was startled as I turned around, and there was Kyle, whose expression was dark and stormy.

His eyes brimmed with irritation as he frowned at me. “Let me take you home.”

I yanked my arm free and stepped back, putting space between us. My tone was cold. “There is no need to. If I can come here on my own, I can leave on my own. Save your concern, Mr. Kyle.”

His gaze dropped to my bare hand. Panic flashed across his eyes for a split second. He reached for my wrist, but I dodged.

He demanded, voice sharp with anger, “Where is your ring? Why aren’t you wearing it?”

I gave him a smile and looked at the band on his finger. “I am single. I do not need a ring.”

For an instant, his face darkened like a brewing storm, terrifying in its intensity, as he ground out through clenched teeth, “Who said you are single? Nadine, do not forget that you are mine…”

Something in my heart cracked, but with all those eyes in the distance waiting to see me humiliated, I forced myself to keep my dignity.

I kept my voice even. “Mr. Kyle, our country’s been liberated for decades. Polygamy is illegal. As someone with power and influence in the capital, you really ought to set an example.”

Kyle let out a laugh edged with fury. “Nadine, I know you are jealous and angry, but I do not like the way you talk to me now. I told you before, I will give you a life of wealth, luxury, and comfort as you stay by my side.

“I can give you everything, except marriage.

“Nadine, the Gill family’s heir cannot marry an orphan. You know that, don’t you?”

I could not help but find it ridiculous. He spoke like everything he said was gospel, as though I were the irrational one and he was the cool, reasonable voice of logic.

I started feeling irritated.

I felt like there was a fire raging inside me, and if I did not let it out soon, I was going to explode.

Instead of lashing out, I played along. “You are right. I overreacted just now.”

I saw Kyle’s brow ease, the tension leaving him. The ice in his eyes melted, replaced by a flicker of smug satisfaction.

He thought he had won again.

He lifted a hand, gently ruffling my hair as though none of this had happened. His voice softened. “Go back and put your ring on. I will come home tonight and keep you company, all right?”

I lowered my lashes, meek as a rabbit. “All right.”

Before I left, I caught sight of Madeline at the far end of the corridor. The mask had slipped from her face, and her eyes burned with venom and jealousy.

Perhaps she thought she had lost. In truth, neither of us had won.

Not that I had ever cared to fight her in the first place.

When I got back to the villa, I pulled out a suitcase and packed only the essentials. I left the car keys on the table, hailed a cab, and headed straight to the train station.

By some stroke of luck, I managed to get the last high-speed rail ticket to South City.

Two hours later, I boarded the train.

As it pulled out of the station, I looked out at the city I had once called home and whispered, “Goodbye.”

Just then, my phone rang. I answered, and on the other end came Kyle’s panicked voice, “Nadine, where did you go?”