Chapter 3

The flames instantly devoured the legal documents.

The loud commotion drew a few wealthy neighbors who stood by the open doors, peeking in.

Seeing an audience, Chloe's entire demeanor flipped. She dropped her bitchy attitude and suddenly looked incredibly fragile and helpless.

"Miss, I know you might be going through a hard time," she said, her voice dripping with fake, sugary pity. "If you need money, I can give you a little something. But claiming you own this massive house is just ridiculous."

She raised her voice on purpose. "Joren gave this to me as a promise ring. How can you come in here and try to steal it?"

The neighbors started whispering.

"Kids these days have no shame. Barging into someone else's home."

"Look at how she's dressed. She's clearly desperate for a payday."

I was so angry I actually laughed. I was just about to rip into her when one of Chloe’s massive guards stepped up.

He shoved me hard in the chest. "Get out of here before I make you!"

I stumbled backward into the grand staircase. My back slammed into the hard wooden banister, the sharp pain making me gasp for air.

Chloe used the distraction to lean in close.

She lowered her voice so only I could hear. "Aria, I know you're Joren's real girlfriend," she whispered with a toxic, victorious smile. "But Joren was only with you for your little bit of money. Now that you're totally useless, he's sick of you."

My hands shook with sheer, unadulterated rage.

Right then, tires screeched loudly in the driveway.

Joren burst through the front doors, flanked by his top enforcers.

The second Chloe saw him, she let out a dramatic fake gasp. She stumbled backward like a terrified rabbit and deliberately knocked into a massive, antique floor vase.

Crash.

The vase shattered into a thousand pieces. Chloe grabbed my arm and dragged me down with her straight into the broken porcelain.

A sharp, piercing pain shot through my palm. Jagged porcelain sliced my hand wide open, and blood instantly poured out, dripping onto the pristine rug.

I gritted my teeth through the pain and looked up at Joren standing at the door.

For a split second, a pathetic sliver of hope crossed my mind. I hoped he’d see right through her bullshit. I hoped he’d come over and help me up.

He didn’t.

Joren stepped right over me and rushed frantically to Chloe.

"Chloe! Are you okay? Are you hurt?" He pulled her tightly into his arms, his voice full of sheer panic.

Watching him frantically check her for minor scratches, I felt the blood turn to solid ice in my veins.

He didn't even cast a glance in my direction.

Whatever remaining warmth I had left for him vanished entirely in that instant.

I bit my lip hard and pushed myself off the bloody floor.

I wasn't met with Joren's concern. Instead, a dozen of his mob guys pulled their Glocks and aimed them right at my chest.

Black muzzles pointed straight at me.

I stood there, completely alone, and the tears finally fell.

Not because I was scared of the guns.

It was because I realized that even though I saw him for the snake he was, even though I didn't love him anymore, having ten entire years of my life completely invalidated still hurt like hell.

A glint of triumph flashed in Chloe’s eyes. She pulled back from Joren, crying perfect fake tears, and pointed an accusing finger at me.

"Joren, this crazy bitch tried to claim my territory! She pushed me down and tried to cut my face with the broken glass! If you hadn't shown up, who knows what she would have done to me!"