Chapter 3

So that was why they stayed out so late. They were attending one social gathering after another.

Lucas’s expression was dark as a storm cloud, but he said nothing.

I didn’t want to ruin the last two days before I left by turning things into a fight, so I simply nodded.

At dinner, Quincy tapped my shoulder, her smile bright and calculating, and made sure every man present knew I was single.

One by one, they raised their glasses to me, joking that I’d have to “look after” them in the days ahead.

Glass after glass went down. My stomach churned until I thought I might be sick. Covering my mouth, I slipped toward the restroom.

One of the men who’d been most eager with his toasts followed. An arm snaked around my waist, his breath hot against my ear before his teeth grazed my skin.

“Layla, why didn’t you drink a few more with me?”

Weakly, I tried to push him away, but he continued to press against me and murmured, “That’s naughty of you. Now, how should I punish you?”

The hallway swam before my eyes. My limbs refused to cooperate, no matter how I struggled.

Through the haze came a muffled grunt—and then I was pulled into a familiar embrace.

I tilted my head up to find Lucas’s face, his eyes burning with fury.

His hand clamped around my arm, and in the next instant, he shoved me hard against the wall.

Pain exploded across my back as he stepped in close, his shadow swallowing mine.

“Layla, can you not survive without a man?”

It was the first time Lucas had ever come this close to me willingly.

Alcohol dulled my fear, leaving only a bitter kind of amusement. I laughed.

“Lucas, I’ve done exactly what you wanted. I’ve kept my distance. So why are you still so angry?”

Lucas’s jaw tightened, his fingers digging into my cheek.

“What I wanted was for you to focus on your own life, not throw yourself away like this.”

We were close—so close I could see the faint tremble of his lashes and the reflection of myself in his eyes.

Pain flared where his grip pressed into my skin until my eyes watered.

He froze at the sight of my tears and abruptly let go.

The space between us widened again.

I rubbed my shoulder, listening as his voice turned cold and precise.

“I don’t know how things ended up like this between us, but I need to make one thing clear.

“From the moment your sister saved my life, I decided I would love only her for the rest of my days.”

He drew in a slow breath, each word deliberate.

“I expect you not to cause a scene at tomorrow’s wedding.”

…

At the wedding venue, giant LED screens blazed with the proposal video on an endless loop.

A red carpet ran between rows of roses in full bloom. Guests drifted past, clinking glasses with Lucas.

He smiled, warm-eyed, his fingers laced tightly with Quincy’s.

When the emcee asked him to share their love story, Lucas’s voice carried warmly across the hall.

“Our first meeting was on the day of the avalanche.”

Quincy’s expression twitched ever so slightly, but he didn’t notice.

“I thought I would die on that mountain, but Quincy carried me to safety. Because of me, she can never again take part in the extreme sports she loved.”

His voice thickened. “From that moment, I swore to spend my life repaying that debt.”

It was the sort of speech meant to move people to tears, yet my parents’ faces—and Quincy’s—were stiff and unmoved.

“And now,” the emcee beamed, “I invite you to exchange rings.”

Keeping my gaze low to avoid Quincy’s venomous stare, I stepped forward with the ring box.

The moment I flipped it open, I froze—the rings were gone.

My mind went blank.

Quincy’s voice broke the silence first.

“Where are the rings?”

Her tone was gentle, but the steel beneath it was unmistakable.

“Did you hide them?”

Then she sighed in mock helplessness. “I know you have feelings for Lucas and never wanted to accept our relationship. But you’re not a child anymore. You can’t throw a tantrum on a day like this.”