Chapter 2

B I A N C A

The media was going crazy with the news of the engagement between Lucas and Natalia. It was literally the talk of town with everyone wondering what would happen to his previous girlfriend; me.

And people took this as the perfect opportunity to show just how much they had never shipped us together. 

I read several comments from people, one said, "Why did he stay with her for so long? I mean, look at her! She isn’t even pretty, let alone worthy enough to stand beside Lucas. I bet she seduced him. He should have never broken up with Natalia for her in the beginning.”

Another comment was, "What is so special about her? She doesn't have money, and I bet he only got with her out of pity!"

But the one that hurt me the most was the last comment.

"I’m pretty sure she’s a nobody. I’ve never heard her name before. It makes sense. She is not famous or rich. It was only a matter of time before he left her. They never were meant to be. She could never win his heart. She’s just a replacement for Natalia, and no one wants a miserable and used toy."

Was I miserable and stupid enough to think those three years had meant something to Lucas? That I hadn’t sacrificed everything for a man who only used me and was never going to marry me?

Yes yes, I was.

But was I the poor girl who could barely afford anything for herself? Was I the puppet that the media painted me out to be all because I had been hiding under Lucas’ shadow and never really revealed myself?

Hell no.

They didn't know who I was. They didn’t know just how much money and power I had.

No one did.

I was the only daughter of the most powerful man in America. A billionaire whose empire extended worldwide. The only heiress of the Salvatore family. A man who owns chains of businesses in Italy, America and several other countries.

But the world didn’t know me. Only a handful of people did, and they all worked directly under him. No one in the media knew the name of his only daughter, Bianca, except for the fact that she existed.

Three years ago, I ran away from home because I absolutely hated the idea of being married to a guy that my father had chosen for me. And so I did the unthinkable. I ran.

I packed up a few things and moved to the other side of the country.

And it was the worst decision I ever made. Lucas had met me at my lowest due to this. I was penniless and had nothing but the clothes on my back. Of course, he would think I swam in poverty. I was desperate and lonely, and he had offered me comfort and love.

Or so I thought.

And today… today was supposed to be the day that I would finally tell him the truth about my real identity. I had planned to announce to him after our engagement by telling him that the girl he fell in love with was an heiress of an international empire.

How ironic.

But now, the tables had turned. He had cheated on me and was planning to make me his mistress.

Fuck him.

I had been the puppet he had wanted all along, the one who was supposed to stand in the shadow and smile while he did whatever he wanted.

I wasn't going to play this game anymore.

I was done. I was done living this way. I have never imagined myself being a second option, and I wouldn’t bend my rules for a man. Especially a man that thinks it was okay to embarrass me this way to the whole world. 

The first thing I did was walk into the bathroom and dye my hair back to its original colors, fighting back the angry tears that threatened to spill from my eyes. I had been so eager to please him that I hadn’t noticed he was turning me into her! And I was desperate to change that, I felt so disgusted. 

I had just finished applying the dye to my hair when my phone suddenly rang and I checked the caller ID. It was Lucas’s grandmother. 

"Hello?" I cleared my throat and spoke softly, not wanting her to notice the distress in my voice.

"Bianca dear, it is my eightieth birthday tomorrow. And you know an old lady only turns eighty once in her life. I am holding a huge party at the Hart Estate. And I would really appreciate it if you came."

I really wanted to decline, my heart really wasn’t strong anymore to see the faces of his family, but then I remembered how sweet Nonna has been to me. 

She was a wonderful woman, and she has always treated me with so much kindness and affection. It would be rude to leave the country for good without at least saying my final goodbye to her. After all, it was her grandson who had hurt me, and not her. 

She deserved that much. 

"Of course, Nonna," I finally said reluctantly. "I would love to."

"Great! See you there!" 

After the phone call ended, I went back to the bathroom, washing off the dye after a few minutes. And when I stared at myself, I saw the girl I used to be. The girl I used to love, staring back at me. 

I brought out the limited edition designer bag I had gotten as a birthday gift for her a few weeks ago. It was a one owner custom made design worth 750k, and was handcrafted by an Italian designer who also happens to be our very close family friend.

He had always treated me like his own daughter, and he was the one who had given me my first designer purse as a gift for my sixteenth birthday. And now, I was returning the favor by buying out his most expensive bag collection for Lucas’s grandmother.

The next day, I wrapped it nicely and headed over to Hart estate. I was almost at the door when my phone pinged, signaling a new text message.

"When are you coming back to LA?"

It was the last person I had expected to hear from. It was Damian. 

My fiancé. 

Or rather, my arranged fiancé. Who also happens to be a friend of my cousin. 

My cousin  has lived with my family for years now after the death of his parents, which also meant Damian was a regular guest at our house. He has always been a brooding and unapproachable man who cared about nobody but his work. So, imagine my surprise that he would even initiate a conversation with me.

I typed back, "I’ll be back soon. When I have settled some things here."

He responded almost immediately, "Good. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need any help."

My brows furrowed. Damian has always hated being bothered by anyone’s problems. And now, he was offering help.

"Thanks, will do."

Just as I kept my phone back in my purse, a car screeched to a stop in front of me. It was Lucas and Natalia. And they were kissing each other passionately. Right in front of me.