Chapter 3

The sun was already climbing high into the sky, its relentless light filtering through the heavy velvet curtains of the room, when I finally regained consciousness. My first sensation wasn’t the light, however, it was the dull, rhythmic throb in my lower back and a sharp ache behind my eyes that felt like a pulse.

"Ugh, why is my back aching so much?" I groaned, my voice sounding raspy and unfamiliar in the quiet air

I shifted slightly, trying to find a more comfortable position, but as I blinked my eyes open, the breath caught in my throat. I wasn't alone. Lying right beside me was a man, his face softened by a deep, peaceful sleep. For a terrifying second, my heart stopped.

I looked down and realized with a jolt of pure adrenaline that I wasn't wearing a single stitch of clothing. Only a thick, expensive-feeling duvet was draped over me, shielding my skin from the cool air of the room.

Fvck! Fvck! Fvck! What did I do last night?

Panic surged through me like an electric current. Memories of the gallery, the betrayal, and the heat of the night flashed through my mind in a chaotic montage.

"Gosh, Primrose, you are so incredibly stupid!" I hissed to myself, burying my face in my hands for a fleeting second before the survival instinct took over.

I couldn't stay here. I couldn't be here when he woke up. I didn't even know his name, and the thought of facing the reality of a one-night stand on top of my ruined life was more than I could handle.

Moving with the stealth of a thief, I rolled to the edge of the bed, moving inch by inch to ensure the mattress didn't creak and wake the sleeping giant beside me. Once my feet hit the floor, I scrambled to find my clothes. They were scattered across the carpet—my dress a crumpled heap near the sofa, my heels discarded like fallen soldiers.

I dressed in a blur of frantic motion, my fingers fumbling with zippers and buttons. Once I was decent, I reached for my wallet. I felt a pang of guilt or maybe it was just survival as I pulled out several large bills. I didn't know how to handle this, so I did the only thing I could think of... I left a tip. I laid the money on the side table as a silent, awkward "thank you" or perhaps a "sorry for running." It was compensation for leaving him without a word.

"Sorry, handsome." I whispered toward his sleeping form, unable to deny even in my panic that he was strikingly handsome.

Then, I turned and bolted.

The hallway of the bar was quiet, the heavy bass of the night replaced by the hum of industrial vacuum cleaners. When I pushed through the exit, the transition was jarring. The world outside was bright, loud, and indifferent to my personal catastrophe.

I ducked my head, pulling my hair forward to shield my face as if the morning commuters could see the shame written on my forehead.

I was just starting to see the familiar silhouette of my condo building when my phone began to vibrate in my hand. The name on the screen made me exhale in a rush of relief.

It was Luisa, my best friend.

"Hello?" I answered immediately, my voice trembling.

"Hi bestie! I'm back from my vacation!" her voice boomed, cheerful and full of life. It was a sharp contrast to my internal state.

"Did you miss me? How was the art exhibition last night? Tell me everything! Was it a total hit?"

"Luisa... I need to talk to you. Please, go to my condo right now," I said, skipping the pleasantries.

My voice was tight, bordering on a sob. I was so stressed that I felt like I was standing on the edge of a nervous breakdown. I needed a witness to my life before I completely lost my mind.

"Actually, I’m already on my way! I’m practically there," she replied, her tone shifting to one of concern.

"Thank you. Be careful," I said and hung up.

When I stepped inside my condo, the sight of it made my stomach turn. The decorations Xavier and Zinnia had set up were still there, the streamers, the balloons, the table laden with gourmet food that no one had eaten. It was a monument to a celebration that had turned into a funeral.

I ignored the mess and ran straight to the bathroom. I needed to wash the night off me. But as I peeled off my clothes and caught my reflection in the full-length mirror, I froze. My skin was a map of the night’s intensity. Dark marks—love bites and hickeys, were scattered across my neck, my shoulders, and my chest.

"Wow," I muttered, touching a mark on my collarbone.

"He really took the opportunity."

The physical toll was setting in, too. My legs felt weak, and my waist ached with every movement. I leaned my head against the cool tile of the shower. I am never, ever drinking again, I promised the universe.

I scrubbed myself until my skin was pink, trying to erase the feeling of the stranger’s hands, though the memory of the heat stayed stubbornly lodged in my mind.

By the time I stepped out, wrapped in a robe, I heard the front door click open. Luisa was already there, sitting on my sofa, looking at the untouched party spread with a confused expression.

"AAAHHH, I miss you!" she squealed, jumping up to hug me, though she paused when she saw my pale face.

"Girl, you have to tell me everything! Did you sell a lot of paintings? Are you a millionaire now?"

I sat down heavily in the chair opposite her, my damp hair clinging to my neck.

"The exhibition was successful. We sold several pieces, but no, I’m not a millionaire yet."

Luisa’s eyes drifted to the table.

"Did Xavier do all this? The food, the decorations? Honestly, that boyfriend of yours is a catch. Rich, handsome, and so sweet to you. I don't know why you guys aren't married yet. You’re definitely old enough!" She reached out and took an impulsive bite of an apple from a fruit bowl

I looked at her, the weight of the secret pressing down on my chest.

"We... we actually broke up yesterday," I confessed, my voice flat.

"I caught him cheating."

Luisa practically choked, coughing out the piece of apple as her eyes nearly bulged out of her head.

"What the hell?! Are you serious? How? Where? Who was the girl? Do I know her?"

I took a shaky breath.

"I caught them right here, Luisa. In my condo. It was... it was Zinnia."

The apple fell from her hand, thudding onto the carpet. Her jaw dropped in a look of pure, unadulterated shock.

"I knew it!" she finally exploded, slamming her hand on the coffee table.

"I knew my gut feeling about your sister was right! I didn't want to offend you by saying anything, but I noticed the way she looked at Xavier. It was... it was sticky! She looked at him like she wanted to eat him alive. That little snake!"

"That’s why I have this massive hangover," I said, rubbing my temples.

"I went out and got trashed last night."

"You know what? I never really liked Xavier for you anyway!" Luisa said, standing up to come and pull me into a tight squeeze.

"There are so many people more deserving of you than that guy. You’re way too good for that rat. Honestly, he and your sister deserve each other, they’re both trash!"

I leaned into her, feeling a small spark of gratitude. At least I wasn't entirely alone.

"Bestie... that’s not even the whole problem."

Luisa pulled back, her eyebrows shot up.

"There's more?"

"I told you I got drunk. Well... I think I slept with a stranger."

Luisa’s jaw dropped for the second time, and this time, it stayed there for a full five seconds.

"Primrose Zobel!"

"I’m sorry! I didn't know what I was doing! I was so far gone, Luisa. I just wanted to forget everything," I pleaded, covering my face with my hands.

"Not going to lie, you kind of slayed. Sleeping with a stranger right after your boyfriend cheats on you? It’s like something out of a movie."

Then, her face went pale.

"But wait—did you guys use protection? Prim, you can't get pregnant by some random guy from a bar! What if he has an STD?"

The realization hit me like a bucket of ice water. In my haze, I hadn't even thought about the consequences.

"I don't know," I whispered, the panic returning.

"I can't remember the details. Everything is a blur."

I felt like such a failure. A stupid, impulsive failure.

"It’s okay, Prim. Stop beating yourself up," Luisa said

"Don't be sad. What you should be doing right now is finding a way to get back at that cheating ex-boyfriend of yours!"

I looked up at her, blinking.

"How am I supposed to do that? What, should I burn his clothes? Post his secrets on social media?" I shook my head

"He’s a Castellano, Luisa. He can have anything I post deleted in seconds. How do you fight someone with that much money and power?"

"No, no, no! Those are all terrible ideas," Luisa said, waving her hand dismissively.

"Those things don't hurt people like him. They just make you look bitter."

"Do you have a better idea then?"

A slow, mischievous grin spread across Luisa’s face. It was the look she got right before she suggested something truly insane.

"Think about it. He traded you for your sister, right? So... you should trade him for his brother!"

I rolled my eyes.

"He doesn't have a brother. He’s an only child."

"Much better!" she chirped.

"I read somewhere that if you really want to hurt an ex, you should go for the cousin he’s always being compared to. The one he’s jealous of."

"He doesn't have any relatives like that," I countered.

"Xavier always told me his father never talked about other family members. It’s just them."

Luisa pouted, tapping her chin as she brainstormed. Then, her eyes lit up with a wild, dangerous spark.

"Oh! Well then, just go for his father!"

I stared at her, my mouth falling open.

"Are you insane? I want revenge, not a retirement home! He’s way older than me. People would think I’m just some sugar baby."

"Do you even know who Lysander Gray Castellano is?" Luisa asked, leaning in.

"You wouldn't even think he was a father if you saw him. Girl, he is a total DILF. He is yummy! One look at him and you’re full for the day."

I frowned.

"How would you know? Have you even seen him?"

"Yes! My mom and I were at a high-end restaurant last month and he was at the next table. I am telling you, he is incredibly handsome, he looks like he smells like a billion dollars, and his physique? Incredible. He looks... delicious." She looked off into the distance, clearly reliving the sight of him.

"Okay, okay, calm down, girl," I said, though a seed of curiosity was planted.

"Even if I agreed to this crazy plan, how would I even meet him? He’s a billionaire businessman. 'Busy' is literally in the job title. We’d probably need an appointment three years in advance just to get a 'hello.'"

Luisa chewed her lip, thinking.

"Okay, here’s the plan. Go to their mansion. Pretend you’re just there to pick up your leftover clothes from Xavier’s room. If the father catches you, act cute. Use that artist charm. Make him fall for you."

"Luisa, that is so unrealistic. And besides, Xavier never took me to their house. He said his dad is almost never there because he’s always traveling for work."

Luisa groaned, throwing her hands up.

"Everything is 'Xavier said this' or 'Xavier told me that.' This is why you can't move on! You’re still living in his version of reality!"

"It happened less than twenty-four hours ago, Luisa! Give me a break," I snapped.

"And honestly, I think I’ll just let it go. I’ll be the bigger person. I don't want the drama. I'll be focusing on healing."

Luisa sighed, looking disappointed, but she nodded.

"Fine. Whatever you say, Bestie. I'm hungry. Go turn on the TV while I find something to eat in this mountain of party food."

I picked up the remote and flicked on the TV. It was tuned to a morning news channel, and a flashy "Showbiz Update" graphic appeared on the screen.

"In breaking news this morning, Xavier Castellano has publicly announced his relationship with Zinnia Zobel. The two were spotted looking very cozy at a private event late last night. Is a wedding on the horizon? Is this a sign that Xavier is finally preparing to step into a larger role at Castellano Industries? We'll have the full story after the break!"

The remote slipped from my hand. I stared at the screen, watching a blurry paparazzi photo of Xavier with his arm around Zinnia, the same sister who had been 'supporting' me just hours before.

"Bestie..." I felt Luisa’s hand on my shoulder, her voice soft and full of pity.

He publicized it. He went public with her immediately. For four years, I was his "secret." He told me he wanted to "protect our privacy" and that he didn't want the media "invading our space." He told me he hated the spotlight.

It was all a lie. He didn't want to protect me. He just didn't want the world to know I was the one he was with.

The pain in my chest hardened. It crystallized into something cold, sharp, and purposeful. The "bigger person" inside me died right then and there.

"Luisa," I said, my voice was steady and cold.

"We’re doing the plan. I’m going to find a way to get to Lysander Gray Castellano."

Luisa turned to me, her eyes wide.

"Are you sure? What happened to being the 'bigger person'?"

I looked at the TV screen, at the smiling face of the man who had broken my heart and the sister who had stabbed me in the back.

"Why should I let them be happy while I’m sitting here picking up the pieces?" I asked.

"He gave me pain and humiliation. I’m going to give it all back to him, with interest."

I stood up, feeling a strange sense of power. Xavier thought he could discard me like a sketch he was bored with. He had no idea what was about to hit him.

"Oh, Xavier," I whispered to the empty room.

"Since you like adding salt to my wounds, I’m going to hit you where it hurts the most."

I looked at Luisa and smirked.

"By the time I’m done, he won't be calling me his ex. He’ll be calling me 'Mother.'"

***