Chapter 2

But this time, the Lamberts were prepared.

Before I could even reach the entrance to the reception hall, Cedric's sister, Cecilia Lambert, hurried after me, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

"Naomi, I know you're hurting, but Ced has done a lot for you over the years," she said, trying to placate me. "Please don't ruin this for him today."

Just the last time we'd seen each other, she'd been teasing us about when we were finally getting married. She even joked that she'd already picked out a generous wedding gift for us.

Then Kian Callahan, one of Cedric's closest friends, stepped in front of the doorway.

"Look, Naomi, Ced's an asshole for what he did, but there are so many guests here. Are you really going to ruin his wedding?"

Just last month, Kian's mother had fallen seriously ill, and he was short on money. I'd lent him 80,000 dollars. He'd wiped away his tears, promising me that if Cedric ever did anything to hurt me, he'd be the first person to stand up for me.

More and more people blocked my way. I saw former friends, employees I'd helped promote, and even coworkers I'd shared countless meals with.

I shoved my way through the crowd, completely losing control, like a wild animal cornered with nowhere left to go.

"Enough!"

A furious shout cut through the chaos, and the crowd parted.

Cedric stood a few feet away, his suit perfectly tailored, and he looked as handsome as ever.

I, on the other hand, had disheveled hair, a crooked collar, and footprints all over my dress.

He stared at me in silence for several seconds before swallowing hard.

"Naomi, you can take your anger out on me however you want," he finally said, his voice hoarse. "But Addison has a heart condition. She can't handle this kind of stress.

"I'm begging you. Please don't do this in front of her."

It was the first time I'd ever seen Cedric lower himself like that.

Once, a client had deliberately made things difficult for him and ordered an entire table full of hard liquor just to humiliate him. He'd drunk until he started bleeding internally, yet he'd refused to submit.

But now, for another woman, he was willing to humble himself completely.

The throbbing pain in my chest made it hard to breathe.

Tears welled in my eyes, and when I finally spoke, every word felt like it was being ground out from somewhere deep inside me.

"Cedric, you're a fucking bastard!"

I grabbed him by the collar and slapped him three times as hard as I could, the crisp sound echoing down the hallway.

Cedric's head snapped to the side, his cheek already red and swollen.

"Do you feel better now?" he asked, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. "If that's not enough, keep going."

There was even a hint of indulgence in his voice, as though he were humoring a child throwing a tantrum.

I stared at his confident expression and at the calm, composed people standing behind him.

Suddenly, all the fight drained out of me. It felt as though I'd hit him for nothing.

They were all certain that I still loved Cedric, and that I would never actually destroy him. They assumed that once I'd gotten my anger out, I'd quietly back down.

My heart sank as I released Cedric's collar and took a step back.

Surprise crossed his eyes.

"Naomi…" he began with a frown.

"Cedric, for the past five years we spent together, I'll—"

Before I could finish, the doors to the reception hall suddenly opened.

A soft, clear voice rang out.

"What are you guys doing here?"

Addison stood in the doorway, looking as fragile as always.

The coldness in Cedric's eyes melted instantly, and even his voice softened.

"Why did you come out? It's cold. You might get sick."

"Ced, what happened? Who hit you?" Addison asked, covering her mouth in shock when she noticed the injury on his face.

"It's nothing," Cedric quickly said, turning his face away. "I accidentally hurt myself. I'll have the makeup artist cover it up later."

Addison clenched her fists, her gaze darkening.

Then, without warning, she grabbed my arm.

"Ms. Stanton, since you're already here, why don't you come inside and have a drink with us?"

Before I could object, she pulled me into the reception hall.

The giant screen was playing a montage of their relationship—their first meeting, the moments they'd fallen in love, and all the memories they'd supposedly shared.

On March 21, I'd spent an entire week working through the night so I could make it home in time for our anniversary. I'd worked myself into the hospital while they were watching the sunrise together by the ocean, kissing in the warm morning light.

On June 7, a typhoon hit Glenfield. My flight had been caught in severe turbulence, and while I was writing what I thought might be my final message to Cedric, they were on a mountaintop watching a meteor shower, promising to spend the rest of their lives together beneath a sky full of stars.

On August 19, while I was eating instant noodles and buying Cedric a gift to apologize for feeling guilty that I couldn't be with him on our anniversary, he had proposed to Addison with 999 roses as their friends and family cheered them on.

Every happy photograph tore at me, reminding me of everything I'd given up for him.

I bit down hard on my lip, refusing to let myself cry.

"Ms. Stanton, now you know what Ced looks like when he's truly in love with someone."

I turned to Addison in shock.

She shot me a meaningful look, and in the next instant, an unmistakably obscene moan blasted through the speakers.

On the screen was a video of me, my face flushed, touching myself while calling Cedric's name.