Chapter 5

A kind coworker took me to the hospital.

The last thing I saw of Andrew was his back as he walked away with his arm around Elena.

He'd never loved me.

He'd only agreed to date me at our senior formal because I was easy to please and easy to control.

When my father came to get me, I was lying in a hospital bed, crying quietly.

"Luna," he said softly. There was no blame in his voice, only a sigh. "I neglected you for too long."

My father was a workaholic. After my mother died, he'd buried himself even deeper in the company.

The only way he showed he cared was by mapping out my life for me early on.

I was so used to being treated coldly that I'd thought Andrew's behavior was normal. I'd even blamed myself for not doing enough.

"Dad.

"My baby's gone."

My father didn't say anything. He just wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes.

It was a long while before he spoke.

"I'll make him pay.

"You'll have another baby someday, and there are plenty of men better than him."

He was usually so sharp, but now he sounded awkward.

I started crying again, this time for my father, who was trying so hard to be gentle with me.

I picked up my phone and saw a pile of missed calls and messages. Almost all were from coworkers checking on me.

Only one was from Andrew.

"Call me when you're done with your tantrum."

No concern. Just an order.

Without hesitating, I blocked him.

Then I looked at my father. "I don't like public hospitals.

"I want to go home."

My father nodded.

"Okay."

Once I left Andrew, my life finally went back to normal.

I no longer had to stress over bills or time my shopping around sales.

A nutritionist came every day to help me get my strength back.

In just two weeks, I'd almost fully recovered.

One day, my father brought a man home.

Lucian Ashfold.

He gave me a small bow.

"Lucian Ashfold. Your father must have mentioned me."

I narrowed my eyes.

"I don't remember."

Lucian laughed softly, not bothered at all.

"Then allow me to formally introduce myself.

"I'm the eldest son of the Ashfold family. I'm healthy, I have no bad habits, and I've never been in a relationship. I have a billion dollars in personal assets, and my family has ten billion."

I blinked. Before I could react, Lucian took a ring from the inside pocket of his suit.

"A little gift for our first meeting. I hope you like it."

A ten-carat pigeon's blood ruby.

In three years with Andrew, I'd never gotten so much as a diamond chip.

And Lucian, who was better than him in every way, was going out of his way to win me over.

I stared at it for a while, then suddenly laughed.

"You're generous."

Lucian smiled with the confidence of a man who always got what he wanted.

"The Sinclair heiress deserves the very best."

I just smiled, noncommittal.

Lucian bent forward and held out his hand to me.

"Would you do me the honor of being my date to the gala tonight?"

He handed me an invitation.

My father had mentioned this business gala a few days earlier. He'd wanted me to go and take my mind off things.

But I hadn't been doing well, so I'd said no.

Apparently, he'd decided to try again through Lucian.

I'd been raised to be polite, so I took the invitation and looked it over.

My gaze caught on the list of companies attending.

C&A Capital. Attending: Andrew Vale.

The next moment, I closed the invitation and put my hand in Lucian's.

"Of course.

"I'd be delighted."