Chapter 3

EMMA'S POV

My voice shook, barely above a whisper, but my anger was rising. 

“You stole my project!”

Charlotte smirked, completely unfazed by my outburst. 

“I'm not sure if you can call it stealing! You should be grateful that Alex saw the potential in it and handed it to someone who could actually bring it to life.”

I turned to Alex, my breath catching. 

“You gave it to her?” 

My voice cracked. “After everything… after you saw me take inspiration for the artwork from our love…? Is everything that cheap for you?”

Alex didn’t even flinch. He just tightened his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders, his expression bored. 

“Why the hell are you so surprised? You know our love and that whole relationship is only your wishful thinking, right? It exists only in your mind, not reality. So how can it be an inspiration for anything?”

His words hit me harder than any slap ever could.

Charlotte chimed in, her voice sweet with venom. 

"And it’s already paying off, Emma. The reviews are in and the critics love it. They’re saying it’s brilliant– even comparing it to the work of Nova, the genius contemporary artist." 

She smiled, slow and cruel. 

" I guess I should thank you, Emma! For giving me the great idea."  

Rage burned through my remaining patience. 

“What nonsense is this? Do you actually think you can get away with it? How dare you! This is plagiarism, a criminal act—and you will get punished—"  

Charlotte scoffed, waving a hand dismissively. "So what? If you're brave enough, go ahead and sue me. Let's see who they’ll believe: me, the renowned socialite and Miller family heiress, or you! A desperate and poor orphan who is chasing after her two minutes of fame?”

My entire body tensed. I wanted to scream, to throw something, to wipe that smug look off her face. 

But she was right: no one was going to believe me.

I turned to Alex, feeling desperate and helpless. 

“Alex, please, won't you say anything? I should get the credit for my work, how can't you both see it? Why aren't you speaking up? Don't tell me that you… you agree with her?”

For the first time, Alex hesitated. He glanced away, shifting uncomfortably, but his answer came all the same.

“It’s just a painting! Why are you creating so much hue and cry for it? You can just paint another one. Will it kill you to share the work credit with Charlotte? What’s the big deal? Are you really going to be this selfish and petty?”

Really, I was the selfish one here? 

“How can you say that! Alex, have you sold your heart for a few pennies, along with your soul! Do you want me to be your concubine? Letting her take credit for everything and even sharing my boyfriend with her… isn't it the life of a slave?”

“Oh, shut up! Just think before you speak, do you even deserve the things you are screaming for? What will change even if she gives you the credit? You'll still be the same loser.”

I stared at him… and in that moment, something inside me broke beyond repair.

I felt sick for ever trusting him with my heart. 

“Fine.”

I turned towards the door. 

“We are done.”

###

"Emma, I think that's enough!" 

Tina's hand shot up, signaling the bartender to stop pouring into my glass. I shook my head violently, gripping the glass like a lifeline.

"I need more!" 

Tina grabbed my wrist. "Emma, just talk to me..." 

Her voice softened,"You can't keep drinking like this. It's barely past noon, and more importantly, you'll make yourself sick like this."  

I stared at her hand, wrapped around mine. Her eyes were fixed on my face, looking at me with concern. 

And just like that, the dam of feelings broke. "She took everything, Tina! How can she be so selfish! I gave Alex all I had: my love, my time… he was my whole future! And for what? To be humiliated like this?”

"Oh honey, I'm so sorry. I wish I could march right over there and break his jaw! Does he think my friend doesn't have anyone to support her–”

I shook my head, my throat tightening. 

“No, Tina…! What’s the point of that? He never even cared even a little bit… even if you beat him up, you can't possibly force him to respect me or care for me!"  

Just then, Tina's phone buzzed violently against the bar. 

"Holy shit!" 

She gasped, turning the screen toward me, where the announcement post was going viral on I*******m:

“SOCIALITE, ARTIST AND MODEL CHARLOTTE MILLER ALL SET TO MARRY XEROS MARTINEZ: A BILLIONAIRE WITH A DARK PAST.”

“What… how is this possible?”

He was the scary, infamous heir of the Marinez Empire, who was rumoured to handle all their illegal dealings. How had the Millers agreed on this arrangement?

"Jesus," Tina whispered. "I don't know which of them I should feel sorry for!” 

Before I could even process the shock, my own phone started to ring. 

I hesitated before answering.

"Emma? This is Vivian. You need to come home. NOW."