Chapter 2

Faint bruises in shades of purple and green marked Averie's bare shoulders, a quiet reminder of the night before.

When she saw me, she lowered her head, a coy smile tugging at her lips as her lashes fluttered. "Eleanor, you're not mad about yesterday, are you?" she murmured.

"Rafe only stepped in to help me. It's my fault. I should've been more careful. I never should've let myself get drugged. Please don't hold it against me. I'd hate to think I messed things up for your wedding."

As she spoke, her eyes glistened with unshed tears as if she were the victim of all of this.

When Rafael heard her, he stormed in, his face clouded with anger.

His eyes locked on me with a sharp glare. "Didn't I ask last night, Eleanor? You said it was fine. So what's this? Are you trying to make Avie cry now?"

I stared at him, baffled. "She started crying on her own. How is that my fault?"

At that, his frown deepened. "Then why is she upset? I already said I'm marrying you. What more do you want from me?"

I'd already given in. Wasn't that enough? Why couldn't they just leave me alone?

I met his gaze, frustration rising in my chest. "If this is so hard for you, maybe we should just call off the wedding."

Rafael froze. "Call it off?"

His eyes went cold, a flicker of sharpness behind them. "Eleanor, what the hell are you trying to pull? Avie was drugged. If I hadn't stepped in, who knows what could've happened?

"You'd seriously call off our engagement because of this? Is marriage just a game to you?"

He was wrong. I never took marriage lightly. I meant every word, every step. In the end, he was the one who let the act slip first.

I didn't bother saying anything more. "I've finally seen it for what it is, Rafael. We're not right for each other."

"Not right?" His gaze hardened, his voice rising with anger. "Don't get it twisted, Eleanor. Weren't you the one who said you liked me first?"

Yeah, it was me.

I was the one who fell for him first.

After years of studying abroad, I returned home and met Rafael at a welcome banquet. The moment I saw him, I knew it was love at first sight. From that second on, I was lost.

I did everything I could to learn about him. When I finally had his number, I gathered all my courage and confessed.

To my surprise, he didn't accept or reject me. Instead, he just said we could give it a try. And for me, that was enough.

We began spending more time together, getting to know each other through long talks, movies, and walks around the city. Slowly, his gaze softened, and when we crossed the street, he would instinctively shield me with his arm.

Back then, I thought that was love, and I couldn't wait to tell my dad about getting engaged. However, after the engagement, Rafael started pulling away.

I'd been a fool, loving too deeply and bringing this upon myself.

I drew in a few deep breaths and forced a tired smile. "Yeah, I fell for you first. But that's over now. Got it?"

"Eleanor!" Rafael's voice cracked with anger. He grabbed my arm and yanked me into the bedroom, his fury clear in every movement.

"What's your problem? I've already explained Avie was in trouble. We've known each other forever. What was I supposed to do? Turn my back on her? Don't make this into something disgusting."

I let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Disgusting? Rafael, it was Valentine's Day. I asked you out, and you told me you were working late. But the moment Averie called, you dropped everything and ran to her. Who exactly are you trying to fool?"

I kept my voice steady as I asked, "She has your name tattooed on her collarbone. You expect me to believe there's nothing between you?"

I couldn't hold it in anymore. The weight in my chest had been there too long, and it still ached.

He stood there, silent, struggling to find the right words before he turned and stormed off.

I couldn't be bothered to argue anymore. I took a cab and went to my mom's place. I told her I was calling off the engagement.

She was stunned at first, but after I explained, fury took over. "I can't believe I was so wrong about him! Fine! Let's act like the wedding's still on and let everyone watch him make a fool of himself!"

By the time I got home that evening, I was exhausted. However, when I stepped inside, the shoe rack and closet were in disarray, as if a thief had ransacked them.

As I looked closer, I realized every limited edition designer dress and pair of heels Rafael had given me were gone.

Just then, the door swung open. Rafael walked in, hand in hand with Averie. She was wearing my clothes, my shoes—everything taken right from my closet.