Chapter 3

Marcus looked both achingly familiar and completely strange.

When he'd first pursued me, he used to panic over a paper cut on my finger.

He used to drive seven miles through a downpour just because I'd mentioned craving something from a trendy restaurant across town.

...

"Hurry up! Jess has a gala tomorrow night. She can't have a scar."

Marcus's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"It's fine, Marc. Let Ren go with you. The invitation includes family, and I'm not family, so it wouldn't be right for me to attend," Jessica said.

"What do you mean, 'not right'? Ren's leg hasn't healed. She'd be uncomfortable there. Besides, this gala wouldn't even be happening without you." Marcus didn't hesitate for a second.

I said nothing. I picked up my crutches and walked into the bedroom.

They were talking about Sterling Group's contract-signing gala.

Sterling Group was a Fortune 500 multinational corporation.

Jessica's uncle, Gerald Vance, was Sterling's regional director for the city.

Thanks to that connection, Marcus had landed a major contract with Sterling, latching onto the company like his personal cash cow.

If the deal went through, his wealth would skyrocket.

Just then, my phone rang. I glanced at the screen. Nathan.

Nathan Sterling was the CEO of Sterling Group. He was also my brother.

"Nathan, what's up?"

"Ren, there's a gala here in town tomorrow night. Want to come? It might do you good to get out."

I almost said no. But just as the word reached my lips, Marcus's face flashed through my mind.

"Sure."

Tomorrow night would be the perfect time to settle things.

When I stepped out of the bedroom, it was already dark. Marcus and Jessica were leaning against each other on the couch, whispering about something. Under the lamplight, the back of Jessica's hand glistened with ointment. Someone had clearly already taken care of it.

As I came closer, I noticed a third person sitting on the other side of the couch, facing away from me, laughing with Jessica.

Sensing someone approaching, the man turned slowly.

He looked about fifty.

His brow furrowed the moment he saw me. "Marcus, who is this? What is she doing in your condo?"

Before Marcus could answer, Jessica jumped in.

"Uncle, this is Marcus's girlfriend, Renee. They're living together."

Gerald slammed his palm on the coffee table.

"Marcus, you understand what tomorrow's gala means, don't you?" Gerald roared.

"You're not planning to bring this so-called girlfriend as your date, are you?"

"It's okay, Uncle. Let Ren go. I don't mind. As long as Marc gets the contract, I'll be happy," Jessica said in a sugary voice.

Marcus read the room fast. He shot me a conflicted look, then quickly distanced himself.

"Don't worry, Mr. Vance. I've been planning to break up with her. She was in a car accident, and the timing never felt right. Tomorrow night, I'm bringing Jess."

"Good. I'm glad you understand what's at stake. Nathan Sterling himself will be at tomorrow's gala."

Gerald looked pointedly in my direction.

"We can't just let any stray off the street walk in."

Marcus nodded frantically, all smiles and compliance.

"If you're already planning to break up with her, why is she still here?"

Gerald clearly wasn't done with me.

"Jessica lost her father young. I've raised her like my own daughter. I don't want her suffering any kind of slight. And I won't be handing this project to an outsider."

The threat couldn't have been more blatant.

Jessica played the saint, as always. "Uncle, Ren's leg hasn't healed. Kicking her out now seems a little harsh."

"You're absolutely right. I've been wanting to get rid of her for a while. She's been clinging to me ever since the car accident. That's the only reason she's still around."

Marcus ran with Jessica's setup. A flash of guilt crossed his eyes before he turned to face me.

"Renee, you heard him. Pack your things and get out."

I looked at the snow falling outside the window. I didn't argue. I walked to the bedroom, grabbed a flash drive, and headed straight out the front door.

I'd barely made it downstairs when a text from Marcus came through.

[Ren, move out for a few days. It's only temporary. Once the contract is signed, I'll bring you back.]

Come back? Come back so Jessica could humiliate me even more?

I gripped my phone and didn't reply.

Marcus and I had bought that condo together.

But I'd been so blinded by love that I hadn't put my name on the deed, convinced that my unconditional trust would mean something to him.

Now that boomerang had hit me right between the eyes.

But it didn't matter. After tomorrow night, I would take back everything I was owed.

I took a cab to the gala venue and found the person overseeing the screens, Derek Cole.

We'd met in college, and years ago I'd helped him land his job at Sterling.

I quietly handed him the flash drive and told him to play the files during tomorrow night's signing ceremony.

With everything in place, I checked into a nearby hotel.

The stage was set. All that was left was for the players to take their marks.