Chapter 4

"Honestly, Tania and Shane are a much better match."

I glanced down at the teal gown I wore. I wasn’t a goddess, not by any stretch, but Shane used to call me beautiful all the time. He used to tuck the stray strands of hair behind my ear with tender hands.

Across the room, Tania pouted playfully. "Uncle, don’t say things like that in front of Lila. She’ll feel hurt."

Mr. and Mrs. Dawson chuckled under their breath.

At last, Shane looked at me, but his expression was one of annoyance. "My parents watched Tania grow up. Can’t you stop being so petty? Why take offense at harmless words? No wonder my mom says upbringing matters most. You grew up with your grandmother and didn’t move to the city until you were eighteen. You really don’t have a shred of proper upbringing."

My brows knitted, disbelief burning through me. "Shane, you know how much Grandma Mae cared for you. Don’t you think words like that would break her heart?"

For a flicker of a second, guilt shadowed his face. Still, with his family around him, he hardened.

"In the end, Tania and I are just childhood friends. Don’t let your jealous streak make her uncomfortable."

He always defended her.

A crushing weight pressed down on me. All those years we had shared now felt like a mountain pinning me breathless.

At last, I forced myself to speak, "I came here today because I wanted to say—"

Tania cut across my words, her voice bright and eager, "Shane, my best friend, Sophie Blair, wants to come to Spain too. Are there still seats left on the flight?"

"Of course," Shane said immediately. "I’ll arrange it."

However, Mark hesitated. "Mr. Dawson, wasn’t the last open seat reserved for Miss Quinn?"

Tania backtracked with a soft, guilty sigh. "Then, never mind. I don’t want to upset Lila..."

Shane couldn’t bear her look of dejection. He made his decision on the spot. "Lila can take another flight. Sophie doesn’t know anyone. She has to travel with us."

Joy lit up Tania’s face as she looped her arm through his, swaying against him. "Shane, I knew you were the best."

With that, the eyes around the room turned on me with even more contempt.

"Imagine that! Shane even chartered two private direct flights for this wedding, and in the end, the bride herself won’t be on board."

"What does it matter? The Quinns are desperate to save their family. Even if she had to walk there, she’d still marry him."

Laughter and whispers buzzed around me, sharp as thorns. Shane’s gaze was fixed entirely on Tania, deaf to every word I might have spoken.

Once again, I was nothing but a bystander.

I sighed inwardly and turned to leave, deciding I would call off the engagement later. In my peripheral vision, a glint caught my eye. Tania wore a gold necklace with a diamond pendant shaped like a rose.

My mind exploded. "That diamond… Where did you get it?"

Before my fingers could reach the necklace at her throat, Shane shoved me back, hard. "Lila Quinn, are you insane?"

Tania’s face went pale as she cowered behind him. "Lila, I know I upset you, but this is the family lunch. Let me apologize now, and once it’s over, you can scold me all you want, okay?"

The guests crowded around, showering her with comfort and sympathy.

Shane’s face was dark, and his voice was sharp. "Look at Tania’s grace and manners, and then look at you. When my parents compliment her, you lose your mind. If I marry you, God knows how you’ll disgrace the Dawsons once you’re through the door!"

Fury had already swallowed me whole. I pointed at the chain trembling at Tania’s throat, my teeth gritted together. "Lose my mind? That diamond pendant used to be my grandmother’s ring. And she turned it into her necklace. I can’t even ask her about it?"