Chapter 4

All eyes in the room locked on me. The weight of their silent judgment pressed down until I could barely breathe.

Somewhere in the crowd, whispers slithered through the air.

“The Stone family’s been prestigious for decades. How did they raise such a shameless daughter? Seducing her own brother-in-law, tsk tsk.”

“If she can betray her own sister, whose man will she steal next?”

“Isn’t Quincy in poor health? Poor girl, to have her own sister take her man.”

“Lucas is the Zahn heir. The Stone family is nothing compared to them. No wonder Layla would stoop so low—she’s after money.”

Lucas’s brow furrowed. “Layla, hand over the ring now, and I’ll pretend none of this happened.”

Tears welled in Quincy’s eyes.

“Layla, if you have something against me, we can talk about it at home. Why must you embarrass me like this, make me unable to hold my head up in front of everyone?”

Her voice was soft, her fragility so artful that even her questioning sounded delicate and pitiable.

Lucas slipped an arm around her shoulders, murmuring comfort. When he turned to me, every trace of patience was gone.

“Layla! The ring—now!”

I hadn’t stolen it. I didn’t even know where it was.

I stayed silent, searching his gaze for the slightest hesitation.

There was none. Only that same deep-seated disgust.

Quincy reached out, her hand warm on my arm. “Layla, just give it back. No one will blame you.”

Her grip tightened. I fought back without thinking. In the struggle, two wedding rings tumbled from me, striking the floor with a metallic chime.

They spun twice before coming to rest, gleaming under the lights.

Proof. Proof enough to damn me beyond redemption.

I stood frozen as the world blurred around me.

“It… it wasn’t me…”

My mother’s voice lashed out like a whip. “Still lying? Do you think everyone here is blind? The rings fell from you! If you didn’t hide them, who else could have? How did I raise a child like you? Layla, you’ve disappointed me.”

Quincy stepped in with a sigh. “Forget it. We’ve found them—that’s what matters. I’m not angry. Let’s continue with the ceremony.”

Her light tone left me no room to speak, nailing the shame onto me for good.

I started to protest. “It was Quincy who handed me the dress and the ring box—”

The sharp crack of Lucas’s palm across my cheek cut my words short.

Pain flared hot, ringing in my ears. His eyes brimmed with contempt, and for a moment it felt as if I had never known him at all.

“Quincy has already chosen to forgive you, and you still throw mud on her?!

“Do you have to ruin this wedding to be satisfied?”

The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

I cupped my face, tears spilling before I could stop them.

I had always known how much Quincy meant to him. I had never realized how little I meant in his eyes.

It was like a hole had been torn in my chest, icy wind rushing in until I couldn’t breathe.

“For the last time, Lucas, I didn’t steal the ring.”

His face hardened into something vicious. He grabbed my collar and dragged me toward the door.

“Get out. You’re not welcome here.”

The old injury in my ankle screamed under the violent pull, pain stabbing deep into my bones. I trembled, and although Lucas saw it, he didn’t slow.

He threw me out without dignity. The heavy doors slammed shut behind me.

The staff on either side glanced over, sympathy in their eyes.

I staggered to my feet. The joyful music from inside twisted like a knife in my ears.

I lowered my voice. “Lucas, you’ll regret this.”

If everyone here wanted me gone… so be it. I would disappear from their world forever.

I packed my things and headed straight for the airport.

Before boarding, I sent Lucas a single picture—one I had taken after rescuing him when he was unconscious.

The timestamp was clear as day.

The caption read: [Congratulations on your wedding.]

A second later, my phone began to buzz violently.