Chapter 3

Grayson's hand trembled slightly in mine.

"What act? I don't know what you're talking about."

He tightened his grip on my hand, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"My love for Lisa has never been an act. I'll say this again—anyone who dares disrespect my fiancée is making an enemy of me."

The moment his words fell, the room went silent.

Ethan was stunned at first, then seemed to arrive at some conclusion of his own. He probably assumed Grayson was covering for him.

With a scoff, he looked at me, his eyes laced with mockery.

"Lisa, do you really think your fiancé loves you? You must've forgotten how he used to treat you."

Before he could finish, Grayson took me away.

Back at the villa, I watched Grayson busy himself taking care of me, my confusion deepening.

I looked at him quietly and asked softly, "Grayson… do you really love me?"

He didn't hesitate. His gaze was earnest, burning with sincerity.

"Yes. I always have."

There was something in his eyes—too open, too real—that made my heart tremble.

Over the next month, he set aside all his work to stay by my side. Our days were simple, yet filled with a quiet happiness. His gentle, thoughtful care seeped into every corner of my life, bringing me an unfamiliar sense of peace.

One day, I casually mentioned that I wanted to go to an amusement park. He immediately set aside what he was doing.

"If you want to go, I'll take you."

The park was lively, filled with laughter and bright sunlight.

But not long after we entered, we ran into Ethan and Sarah.

Ethan had always loved extreme sports, despite his weak heart. In the past, I never let him go near anything dangerous—yet he always complained that I was too controlling.

Now, he had finally broken free from my restraints and found someone like Sarah who indulged him.

I used to beg him to come to the amusement park with me for photos, but he always brushed me off, calling it childish.

Now, for Sarah, he was willing to break every rule.

When Ethan saw us, he walked straight over.

Looking at me, his tone carried deliberate showmanship.

"Sarah wanted to play, so I rented out the whole place. If you want to join, you're welcome."

I said nothing, my expression calm.

Grayson suggested taking me to another park, but I shook my head.

"Since your buddy is treating us, we should accept."

The two of them got on the roller coaster. As it slowly climbed to the top, rose petals and balloons suddenly rained down from the sky.

With his arm around Sarah, Ethan kissed her openly, as if no one else existed.

Gasps and cheers rose from the surrounding crowd as people snapped photos—the scene was extravagant and romantic.

I remained expressionless, as though watching a performance that had nothing to do with me.

After they got off the ride, Ethan looked especially pleased—perhaps delighted at how he could juggle two women at once.

He walked over, lifting his phone slightly.

"I'm planning a birthday party for Sarah. You should come."

I glanced at it and replied evenly, "Sure."

Before his expression could soften, I turned to Grayson beside me.

"Darling, why don't we go pick out our wedding outfits before the party?"

Grayson froze, his eyes instantly flooding with excitement and joy.

"Of course. I'll get you the most beautiful wedding dress—make you the most stunning bride in the world."

The smile on Ethan's face stiffened at once. He probably believed I would always be the woman who could never live without him.

But what he didn't know was that the moment he chose to deceive me, I had already decided to replace him.