Chapter 2

I pulled out my phone and booked a flight home.

I was about to put it away when a notification popped up.

Anna had posted something new on the Instagram account she used to document her illness.

The moment I opened the post, my eyes widened and anger shot through me.

Anna was wearing my custom wedding gown, her arm looped through Walker's.

"When you love someone, you want to give her everything."

Within minutes, her followers swarmed the comments.

"He's standing by her through cancer. This ship is everything!"

"Hope she beats cancer and they get their happily-ever-after."

In the picture, Anna looked sweet and shy while Walker looked at her with so much tenderness it made my chest ache.

It hurt until I could barely breathe.

My hands shook as I typed a comment.

"Anna, can't you stop stealing? First my man, now my wedding dress? Take it off before I strip it off you myself!"

The comments exploded.

"They look perfect together. Who asked some troll like you for an opinion?"

"I checked her profile. Jealousy looks ugly on you."

"Go look in a mirror. You're so skinny, a strong breeze could carry you away. You look awful in that dress."

By the time I reached the bridal shop, Anna was already crying.

"Walker, let me just take it off. I don't want to make Valentina angry."

Walker gently comforted her.

Then he turned, grabbed me by the arm, and pulled me aside.

His voice was low, but the irritation was obvious.

"Anna's wedding was put together at the last minute. She couldn't find a dress in time. She liked this one, so I told her she could wear it. It's only a dress. If you still want it, I'll buy you an even more expensive one. Why do you have to turn everything into a fight?"

I stared at him, my eyes burning with tears, and laughed bitterly.

"Walker, you have no idea what that dress means to me!"

I had redone the design eight times, rejected countless fabrics, and spent six months perfecting it.

White bellflowers were embroidered along the hem, in memory of the night Walker and I first met.

That night, the wind in Los Angeles was bitterly cold.

I had run away to escape an arranged marriage. Instead, I'd been kidnapped and locked in a basement for three days.

Just when I'd given up hope, Walker came for me.

He walked into that dark basement dressed in white, smiling as he held out a bunch of bellflowers.

"Smell the flowers. Then you won't be scared."

For eight years, I had treasured that memory.

Now he'd handed the symbol of that night—and everything it meant to me—to another woman without a second thought.

I couldn't stop shaking. I lunged for the dress, desperate to take it back.

Before I could even touch Anna, I heard fabric rip. A long tear split the gown.

Before I could react, I was shoved hard to the floor.

My forehead hit the coffee table, and blood started pouring down my face.

Walker didn't even look at me. He was already wrapping his suit jacket around Anna.

"Valentina! How can you be so vicious? You tried to strip another woman in public! You're an orphan. Is that why you have no manners?"

The sales associates pulled out their phones, eager to catch the drama on camera. Flashes went off in my face.

"Side chicks have this much nerve now? Trying to steal from the bride?"

"That homewrecker is bullying her and still has the nerve to cry!"

Walker never corrected them. He just stood there, watching me with an impatient look.

"Anna comes from a respectable family. If word gets out that you tried to strip her in public, how is she supposed to face anyone? Apologize. Now!"

I stared at him, speechless.

Then, strangely, the pain in my chest began to fade.

My father had been right. There was nothing special about Walker.

I'd only thought the bellflowers were special because I'd attached meaning to them.

Walker finally noticed the blood on my forehead. His expression changed.

He started toward me, but Anna's sobs stopped him.

He hesitated, then his face hardened again.

"Valentina, our marriage is on hold until you apologize to Anna. You need to think about what you've done!"

Then he picked Anna up and left.

A faint smile tugged at my lips.

I had already booked my flight back to Florence.

Walker, I don't want you anymore.