Chapter 06

“Damn it, Amy, you stepped on my foot,” Nora’s voice cut through the constant buzz of people around us, drawing everyone’s attention. The scowl on her face mimicked pain, but not a single mark showed on her designer shoe.

Nora immediately bent down to massage the foot I supposedly stepped on. I should have yelled at her and ended her cynicism right there. Was she putting on this whole show just to get Warren’s attention? She could have him—I didn’t care.

I was ready to ignore their little theater and turn my back when Warren grabbed my hand. His touch filled me with disgust. The same hand that once drove a blade into my heart now caressed me. Instinct told me to run, but if I wanted my plan for revenge to work, I had to pretend everything was fine.

“Are you all right, Amy?” Every time he spoke to me, a sharp ache pierced my chest. “I’m sorry about Nora’s behavior; she didn’t do it on purpose.”

So he had seen what Nora did? I was honestly shocked by his awareness—especially since he was actually trying to appease me while letting his mistress take the blame for all the commotion.

“I’m fine.” My eyes dropped to Nora’s feet in her crimson shoes before I lifted my head to meet her gaze.

Without a trace of resentment, Warren turned his back on Nora and, still holding my hand, led me away. I let him guide me deeper into the party.

Whispers about my beauty spread across the room. Hot stares landed on me, and Warren shifted uneasily. When I looked at his face, I didn’t see pride for his future wife—I saw irritation, as if the attention I drew somehow undermined him.

The ballroom was crowded. Unable to stand Warren’s presence, Sara slipped away, joining other guests across the room. Left alone with Warren, I felt uneasy. I wasn’t used to crowds. Being surrounded by so many people squeezed the air from my lungs.

I shifted in my seat every time I heard laughter or caught someone staring. Clutching the edges of my chair, I knew I had to get out before I lost control.

Taking advantage of Warren’s distraction while he chatted with other guests, I slipped away, wandering aimlessly until I stumbled upon a beautiful garden tucked beside the ballroom.

Closing my eyes, I exhaled sharply. Relief washed over me as the wind brushed my skin and silence reigned, if only for a few seconds. A noise shattered my peace, and when I turned, I saw Simon. He wore a white suit, striding confidently toward me.

I shook my head, finding it difficult to believe. I had ended up in a place where I knew half the people—and Simon was among them. When I opened my eyes again, he stood inches from me, scanning me from head to toe with the same shrewd gaze he’d given me that morning.

“You look stunning, Amy,” he whispered. Without reason, I found the gesture seductive. “That dress you’re wearing—did you buy it with my money?”

For a few seconds, I couldn’t speak. His words hit me, then made me laugh, breaking the tension crushing my shoulders.

“I could say your card came in very handy.” I waited for his eyes to soften, for him to stop staring at me so intensely, but Simon didn’t look away for even a second. “I bought ten more just like this one, in different colors.”

“That money was supposed to fix your car,” he said, his voice low but amused. “But since you spent it on new dresses, I can say you already are mine.”

He raked his fingers through his hair, hesitating. My cheeks burned hot like embers. In half a second, I’d be flushed red, exposing my weakness to him.

“I’m curious about something, Amy.” He stepped closer, and I instinctively recoiled. “Why did you change your attitude toward Warren so suddenly? You seemed so in love. What did he do that was so unforgivable you’d want to destroy him?”

His question dragged me back to the future only I knew. Silence wrapped around me as I tried to untie the knot strangling my throat. I could tell him a little of what I knew. Simon still didn’t trust me—I saw it in his eyes.

This was my chance to make him believe in me.

“Warren plans to take my entire fortune once we’re married.” I cleared my throat before continuing. “And that woman you saw with him—she’s much more than a secretary. I caught them having sex, naked, in his office.”

Simon’s lips curved into an arc, but his face showed no surprise, as if he already expected it. Everyone knew who Warren was—except me. Was I really the only one blind to the greedy, womanizing man he truly was?

“Warren really is an idiot.” Simon smirked, mocking the situation. “But if you know who he is and what he wants, why not end it? Tell him you won’t marry him and be free.”

“Warren won’t give up that easily.” My eyes drifted into nothingness as words spilled without thought. “I won’t let him go until I see him humiliated, his plans in ruins.”

Simon’s eyes widened, unable to hide his shock. Pride swelled in me for finally seizing this chance to set things right.

“You really want to do this,” he murmured, piecing it together. “And I’m ready to help you with whatever it takes.”

Before I could answer, hurried footsteps approached. I turned and suddenly Warren’s arms closed around me. My eyes stayed locked on Simon’s, and guilt rushed through me—as if I were betraying our silent alliance by standing in Warren’s embrace.

“Finally, I found you.” Warren pulled back with a smile, but it vanished the moment his eyes met Simon’s. “You shouldn’t be out here talking to strangers.”

Simon’s cold brown eyes glimmered with amusement, and he smiled, dismissing Warren’s words as irrelevant. He turned to leave, but halfway down the path, he stopped, glanced back at Warren, and said:

“Keep an eye on your beautiful fiancée, Mr. West. Or someone might just steal her from you.”