เข้าสู่ระบบVICTORIAFour years laterThe air feels different today — softer, lighter, almost unreal.The sun pours gently over the gardens of Valemont estate, painting the marble white and the grass gold.Children run barefoot across the lawn, their laughter spilling through the breeze like music.I am standin
******************************************************************************************CHASEThe music floats across the beach, slow and warm, the kind that makes the night feel softer than it is.Fairy lights sway in the ocean breeze, and laughter ripples through the guests as I stand near the
VICTORIAThe sand is warm under my heels as we walk down the narrow path leading to the beach, the faint hum of waves mixing with distant laughter.My hand rests lightly on my belly, the other laced tightly with Chase’s because I still can’t believe this is real — that he’s this happy, that we are.
I pretend not to notice, but something cracks quietly inside me.On the jet, she wasn’t exaggerating about sleeping. The moment she sits down, she curls up, adjusts the blanket, and shuts her eyes without a word. I sit across from her and just… stare as the engines hum softly, clouds drift past the
CHASE“That’s it. Close that laptop; we’ll be late,” I say, standing from the couch at House of Valemont, telling her for the tenth time, pretending she didn’t hear me.Victoria doesn’t even flinch. Her eyes stay fixed on the screen, the faint light tracing her sharp cheekbones as she scrolls. “One
The entire ride to House of Valemont, I can’t calm down. I keep rehearsing my steps, my greetings, my smile. My mind runs wild with what-ifs—what if nothing’s the same, what if I walk in and everyone stares? What if I can’t do this? but I try to remain strong until we get there.Once we finally arr
I turn away from him, staring at the skyline glowing through the windows. His words are right, but they don’t soothe me.My patience is running thin, my name is still buried, and my freedom seems to be out of reach. And with Vivienne smiling for the cameras, I can feel my revenge slipping further an
For a second, I forget to breath. “You what?” My voice rises, sharp, uncontrolled. “You snuck into Valemont? Are you insane? What if someone saw you? If they’d caught you—if a camera had picked you up—”Her expression doesn’t flinch. She just leans forward, steady, her eyes locking on mine. “This i
I take off my sunglasses for a clearer view and I remember.“Of course. The wedding vendors,” I whisper, a grin tugging at my lips. I glance up at the sky, clasping my hands together. “Thank you, big guy.”I stroll toward one of the trucks, and everyone is too busy to notice me. I grab one of clipb
VICTORIAI sit curled on the sofa, the iPad heavy in my lap, the television buzzing in the background. My face feels hot even though the room is cool.Every channel, every headline, every whisper of the world outside—it’s all about us. About Chase. About me. They are dragging us through the mud.I s







