02

He let out a sigh of relief, a boyish grin warming his face. "Do you think she'll like it?"

My brows pulled together. "Who?"

"Nessa." He paused, completely unaware that my pulse had just flatlined. "I plan on asking her out."

Just like that, a flame caught inside me, burning everything I'd built in silence.

Ever seen a tall building collapse? That was exactly what my heart did. It crumpled like dust, hurting too much. If heartbreak made noise, the world would've surely heard me shatter.

"Nessa?" My voice barely worked. "I... don't understand. The same Nessa I know?"

He chuckled like this was just a normal conversation. "Don't be silly, Solayne. Of course it's her."

But there was nothing funny about this. "When did you two... become that close? I thought you were just friends."

"Well, yeah. I've always had a crush on her. And today, I thought it'd be nice to finally man up about how I feel."

My lips parted, but no words came out. Vance, we've been best friends for twelve years. How did you never crush on me like I did?

"Nessa's great, right?" he added. "I mean, she's beautiful, successful, smart. I think she'd make a great partner."

Something in my chest cracked watching him say those words about someone else with that look in his eyes. There was so much passion and adoration in his gaze; he looked like he truly loved her. It dawned on me then that he'd never shown this side to me.

"Yeah," My gaze fell to the ground, forcing a smile I didn't feel. "Sh—She'll sure make a great partner."

My eyes found the necklace again. "So, it's for her?"

"Yeah. She mentioned one time that it's her favorite."

Well, I did too. But clearly, you don't remember.

He beamed as he snapped the box shut and slid it back into his pocket. "Thanks, Pinkie. I'll let you know how it goes. Come on, we should head back to the party."

"Um..." I itched my nape. "Actually, I think I'd just do something out here."

"Oh. What's that?"

"Nothing major. A few calls I need to make. I'll catch up with you, Vance. You should go be with your girl."

His smile reached his eyes. "Yeah, that's a good idea. See you, love."

And just like that, he walked away, taking the night, the necklace, and a piece of my heart with him.

Finally alone in the corner, I let the stupid tears flow. Yeah, I'd be lying if I said it didn't hurt.

God, losing him to another woman just made me realize how much I'd loved him. All these years, how did he never like me? Had I not been enough?

Before I knew it, I was halfway through my second bottle at the poolside bar. Inside had suddenly become boring. The last thing I wanted was having to see Nessa walk around with that necklace.

But fate, being its usual comedian self, sent her right to me.

"Hey, Solayne. I've been looking for you," her voice grated like tiles on glass.

"I told you she'll be here," Brielle—my ever-gracious stepsister—added, crossing her arms beside her.

The alcohol had started blurring the edges, but not enough to save me from this. And yes, Nessa was wearing the necklace already.

"You've been looking for me. Is there something you need?" I turned on my stool to face her.

"Nah. Just wanted to show this to you." She held up the necklace, then practically screeched, "Vance asked me out!"

Good God, she might as well have grabbed a mic and announced it over the speakers.

The few people around looked our way, muttered something before turning away.

"Wow, congrats," I said flatly, lifting my bottle with all the enthusiasm of a student getting homework.

"Yeah, thanks." She leaned closer, her perfume trying too hard. "Just wanted to check how you were holding up. I mean, I know you've always liked Vance. Must be so hard watching him choose someone else."

I choked on my drink. What the hell?

The girls laughed at my reaction.

"Oh, come on, Solayne." Brielle grinned with that mean sparkle in her eyes. "It's not exactly a secret you've been drooling over him since middle school. You made it too obvious, dummy."

"Oh, you poor thing. To be honest, I really thought you'd be the one he asks out. Guess you're not so pretty in his eyes."

Brielle rolled her eyes. "Pretty? Who told you she was pretty to start with?"

I gripped my bottle a little too hard. For a second, I imagined smashing it, just to hear something break other than me. But I swallowed it down, forcing another sip instead.

Don't let them get to you, Solayne. You're bigger than this. You have to be.

I focused on my drink and let them talk themselves into silence. Their voices eventually fizzled out, like cheap fireworks that couldn't last.

I swiveled my stool toward them, raising a brow. "Oh, you done? Why don't you go back to the party now? I mean, you just got into a relationship. Shouldn't you be paying more attention to your man?"

Nessa laughed. "Congrats by the way. I heard that in ninety days, you'll be voted CEO of your father's company. Although, that is if you don't get involved in any kind of scandal."

I lifted the bottle to my lips, keeping my eyes on the amber swirl instead of her face.

"Brielle, do you think she can avoid scandals?"

"Hmm." Brielle pretended to think, tapping a finger to her chin. "I don't know. As annoying as it is though, she's never been in one. But I wonder, will she keep her halo clean for these ninety days?"

"I hope not. If she fails, ownership will be moved to you. To be honest, I think you'll do better at the company."

I paid no heed to them. I just kept drinking until their perfume faded down the walkway, carrying their laughter with it.

'You'll do better at the company.'

Over my dead body. One of the reasons I worked so hard was to make sure father never chose my stepsister over me. After what she and her mistress of a mother put my mother and I through, I'd need to be insane to ever let them take what was ours.

I was on a ninety-day trial. Ninety days to stay scandal-free before the board handed me full control of the company. And I was going to make sure they did.

But the thought of Brielle even imagining she could replace me lit a fuse under my skin. Frustration clawed up my throat and I drank more than I was supposed to. Before I knew it, I was dead drunk.

The world started to tilt in soft, silly angles. My body felt too heavy for my bones. Even my bladder started to protest.

Fuck, I needed to pee.

For a second, I thought briefly about calling Leo to help me to the bathroom, but that little brat was only going to mock me about Vance and Nessa. I couldn't take that.

So, I stumbled off the stool, grabbed my purse, and started my little drunken pilgrimage toward the pool house.

I couldn't walk into the main house looking like this. The pool house was better. Plus I knew every corner of it. Vance and I had spent countless days there. So yeah, I could find my way around even with the room spinning.

The pool house was practically a two-story home by itself—glass walls, pale stone, luxury.

Thank God it was open.

It should be empty. Guests were not allowed here.

The living room was dark when I pushed the door open. I hiccupped softly, then reached for the light switch.

Okay, Solayne. Bathroom. There was one in the first room on the left.

I half-stumbled, half-marched forward, steadying myself with one hand against the wall. Man, I deserved a medal for fighting all these battles in heels. I laughed at the whole thing.

Somehow, I made it to the first room without face-planting. Maybe after this, I'd just call Leo to drive me home.

I turned the knob and walked in, my eyes half-closed from exhaustion.

Then a furious voice sliced through the haze.

"What the fuck!? Are you insane?" someone yelled. A woman.

My eyes snapped open; my body jerked.

Oh, my God.

A stranger was on the bed unclothed, her hands and legs spread and cuffed to the bed stand. She laid there like some sacrifice, her pussy bare, wet, and staring at me in the face.

She had cum on her thighs, her chest, and even her face.

My pulse fluttered so fast it felt reckless. My lungs stopped collecting air.

What in God's name...

"Get out of here! Fuck!" She pulled at the cuffs.

She wanted to close her legs; I could see it in her struggle. But the cuffs kept them spread. Her hands too. She was completely helpless and vulnerable.

It was the first time I was ever seeing a thing like this, and I didn't know how it made me feel.

"Looking for something?"

That didn't come from her.

Huh? There was someone else in the room?

My sight had already turned into a blur.

I squeezed my eyes shut, opened them with the hope that they'd be better. I looked to the side where the voice had come from, and everything in me went still.

Marshall Domayne. In the flesh.