Chapter 1

My former best friend, Chloe, pretended to act out of concern.

"Don't be reckless, Evelyn," she murmured smoothly. "Michael is actually giving you a lifeline here. Just swallow your pride and take it."

All the people laughing and placing bets nearby were my childhood friends.

When did they cross over to his side?

Seeing me stand frozen, they closed in on me, hiding their smirks behind fake sympathy.

"She’s right, Evelyn. Michael is only keeping you around because he’s loyal."

"Chloe isn't even complaining about you staying. What are you throwing a fit for?"

"Don't ruin this. If you burn this bridge, you won't even have a roof over your head."

I stared at their familiar faces.

It felt like a blade was being dragged slowly across my back.

I had been blind.

While I spent months meticulously planning every detail of this party, I was nothing more than the punchline to their joke.

I forced back the prickle of tears in my eyes.

Before I could speak, Michael shoved the black credit card into my hand.

His face radiated casual entitlement.

"Evelyn, you know the state of the company better than anyone," he said smoothly. "Only her family's funding can save us right now.

“You don't want to see our hard work go down the drain, do you?"

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Besides, she doesn't mind you staying by my side. It’s a win-win. What else could you possibly want?"

"Why today?" I asked softly.

My voice was raspy.

Michael smiled, thinking I was giving in. He reached out and patted my head like I was a loyal pet.

"She's starting to show," he replied softly. "She won't look good in a wedding dress in a few weeks.

“You already prepped everything for today anyway. You won't need it, so passing it to her is just efficient."

Every argument choked in my throat.

He had completely forgotten.

Today was the seventh anniversary of the day we met.

It was the day I severed ties with my family just to be with him.

The day he promised me the grandest wedding in the world.

Now, he was taking everything I bled to create and handing it to another woman.

And then casually telling me I didn't need it anyway.

I loosened my fingers.

The black card hit the polished floor with a sharp clack.

"What if I say no?"

Michael raised an eyebrow, entirely unbothered.

"Evelyn, you've been with me for seven years. I know your habits better than anyone. Whenever you say 'what if,' you just want me to coax you."

He grinned down at me with lazy arrogance.

Looking at my tiny reflection in his cold eyes, I wanted to laugh out loud.

Seven years of devotion.

Seven years of absolute loyalty.

All reduced to a pathetic joke.

Every concession I ever made, every step backward I took to give him an out.

To him, everything was just playing hard to get.

All he had to do was pat my head and drop a few sweet words.

And I would instantly shut my mouth like a programmed machine.

Easy to manage.

Easy to trick.

Easy to use.

That was my entire value to him.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

"Fine," I said, meeting his eyes head-on. "Then allow me to wish the happy couple a long and prosperous marriage.”