chapter 2

“So... it’s true. He really is Rafael’s uncle.”

Lexie whispered to herself in disbelief, fingers clicking rhythmically on the mouse as she scrolled through article after article. Images of him were everywhere. Ram Jordan. Wealthy, intimidating, powerful... and, as of this very moment, the only thing she could think about.

“What are you looking at?”

Lexie jumped in surprise, slamming her laptop shut as her cousin Claire’s voice cut through her thoughts. She spun around with a frown.

“Whatever I’m doing doesn’t concern you, Claire.”

Her tone was sharper than intended, but she didn’t care. She wasn’t even sure why she’d fallen into this rabbit hole of researching Ram instead of reviewing for her law exam. Somehow, seeing his face had given her something else to obsess over—something that wasn’t Amanda and Rafael’s betrayal.

“Wait... is he seriously rich rich?” Claire leaned forward, trying to peek at the laptop.

Lexie barely acknowledged her, muttering under her breath again.

“Unbelievable. He’s not just rich—he’s obscenely rich.”

Claire’s brows lifted. “Lex, you’ve officially lost it. Are you stalking some billionaire now?”

Lexie sighed and glared at her. “I’m not stalking anyone. Now can you please leave me alone?”

“I’d love to, believe me, but no can do. Grandpa’s calling a family meeting at the hotel, and you’re expected to be there too. His words, not mine.”

Lexie blinked. “Why now?”

“Because Amanda and the guy are doing some big presentation or whatever. Something about the wedding.”

Lexie clenched her jaw. “Of course. The wedding.”

“They’re acting like this whole thing is some grand love story, not a total dumpster fire.” Claire paused, then added, “Honestly, I don’t know how they thought you would actually show up.”

Lexie crossed her arms. “I’m not going. I don’t care what Grandpa wants.”

Lexie’s heels struck the hotel’s marble floors with fury. Her refusal to attend the meeting had lasted all of ten minutes before Claire—and a passive-aggressive call from her mother—forced her into the car.

Now here she was, walking straight into enemy territory.

The family-owned hotel, usually a place of comfort, now felt like a cage.

“Fix your face, Lex. You look like you’re ready to commit murder,” Claire muttered beside her.

“Then maybe people should stop giving me reasons to,” Lexie shot back coldly.

Claire held up her hands in surrender. “Just saying. Maybe dial down the homicidal energy. For Grandpa’s sake.”

Lexie ignored her. She had no interest in pretending to be civil—not when she was about to be trapped in a room with the two people who’d gutted her heart.

As they reached the lounge, Lexie’s footsteps slowed. Through the glass doors, she saw them. Her entire family, gathered together, laughing over coffee like it was any other day.

And among them was him.

Rafael.

Her ex-fiancé. The man who had sworn he loved her—while sleeping with her cousin behind her back.

Lexie’s expression turned to stone. She walked in slowly, head held high. The second her presence registered, the room fell into uncomfortable silence.

Good.

She offered no greeting, no fake smile. Just walked straight to a seat by the glass wall and sat down like she belonged there more than anyone.

“H-hi, Lexie. H-how are you?”

Amanda’s voice cracked nervously. Lexie didn’t even look at her. Her gaze flicked briefly to Rafael, who had the nerve to look... worried.

Please.

She turned her eyes toward her grandfather instead, who sat at the head of the table with his usual stern composure, silently observing.

Lexie tilted her head, amused.

How could they all sit here, sipping tea and making wedding plans like this wasn’t insane?

“So...” she finally said, her voice loud in the quiet room, “are we just going to pretend everything’s fine and chat about flowers and venue options? Or are we going to talk about the fact that this wedding is a complete joke?”

Her grandfather’s eyes narrowed. “Lexie. Mind your tone.”

She didn’t flinch.

“Sorry. I just thought we were all done pretending. Guess not.” Her eyes locked with Amanda’s. “You know, acting like none of this is messed up takes a lot of nerve.”

“Lexie, sweetheart, please—” her grandfather tried again.

“No. Let’s not do this. Amanda and Rafael don’t want to talk about what they did. They just want us all to play along so they can feel good about it.”

Amanda’s cheeks flushed. She stared at the table.

“Maybe you should leave if you’re going to make this harder than it already is,” she mumbled.

Lexie slowly turned to face her. Her laugh was soft, bitter. “Oh, I’m sorry. Is this hard for you, Amanda?”

Amanda winced.

“Why am I even here? You invited me to humiliate me again? To twist the knife a little deeper? You want a reaction? Fine.”

Her voice trembled as she stood, hands clenched at her sides.

“You two wrecked everything. And now you want a party to celebrate it?” she asked, voice rising.

“Lexie, stop—” a cousin tried to intervene.

“No, you stop!” she snapped. “They don’t get to play house and pretend they didn’t betray me in the worst possible way.”

Amanda stood, eyes brimming with tears. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I swear, Lex. I’m sorry. I—I feel awful.”

Lexie let out a hollow laugh.

“Oh please. You feel awful? That’s your big excuse? That you feel bad now?”

“You never even let us explain—” Amanda started.

“Because I shouldn’t have had to ask. You were my cousin, Amanda. Rafael was your best friend. I trusted you both. I convinced myself I was just being paranoid. I told myself it was all in my head. But it wasn’t, was it?”

Amanda lowered her head.

Lexie’s voice shook, but she kept going. “And today? You show up here like you’re some blushing bride-to-be, dragging me into this charade?”

Her eyes were wild with pain.

“You didn’t just betray me—you took something from me like a thief in the night. A petty, heartless thief.”

Amanda sobbed.

“Don’t you dare ask me for forgiveness,” Lexie hissed. “You don’t deserve it.”

She yanked her arm free as Amanda tried to reach for her again.

Then she turned to Rafael.

“And you. You’re just as bad. You destroyed us. And you’re going to regret it.”

She spun on her heel and marched out, her heart racing. The tears she’d been fighting finally broke free as she stormed down the hallway.

“Lexie!” Claire called after her.

She didn’t stop.

Until she slammed full-speed into something—or someone.

“Shit—are you okay?” a voice asked, strong hands catching her as she stumbled.

Lexie looked up, breath catching.

Her lips parted in disbelief.

“Ram Jordan?”

“Lexie?” he said at the same time, brow raised.

“I—I’m sorry. I wasn’t looking,” she said, cheeks flushed, eyes flickering over his perfectly tailored suit... and the body beneath it.

He’s even hotter in real life...

Ram smiled, still holding her steady.

“No harm done. You sure you’re alright?”

Lexie nodded. “Yeah. Just... rough day.”

And then the thought hit her.

Like a wicked spark igniting inside her chest.

Maybe today didn’t have to be a total disaster.

Maybe Ram Jordan—Rafael’s powerful, enigmatic uncle—was the answer.

Her revenge didn’t have to be loud.

It just had to be smart.

And devastating.