Chapter 3

Ryan's mother finally snapped. She grabbed the collar of my dress.

"Sienna! Enough is enough!"

"You wanted the picture changed, now it's changed, and you still want out? You think your family's money makes you special? My son is an executive, lots of girls like him. He doesn't need you!"

I couldn't help but let out a derisive laugh.

An executive? Only because my parents had pulled strings behind the scenes to push him up the ladder.

My attitude angered my dad.

He gripped my shoulders hard, forcing me to bend over.

"All these relatives and friends came today for your engagement, and you keep throwing a childish tantrum."

"Apologize to everyone. Now."

Ryan was quick to pull my dad's hands away, speaking up for me anxiously.

"Mr. Sterling, please don't. It's my fault. I shouldn't have used that picture and upset Sienna. Don't blame her."

Ryan gently rubbed my sore shoulders, his eyes overflowing with a tenderness so thick it was almost tangible.

"Sienna, does it hurt? I'm so sorry I made you jealous. I can explain."

The guests were visibly moved by Ryan's actions.

"Oh, Sienna hit the jackpot with a guy like Ryan. What more could she want?"

"Some people just don't know when they're well off. Maybe Sienna's just testing how much he loves her by making a scene. Poor Ryan has to put up with so much."

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Ryan's lips. He showed me his phone's chat screen.

"Sienna, my colleague just likes to draw. For Christmas, she drew Santa hats for a few colleagues' profile pictures. Mine included."

"She works in the same company. I see her every day. I couldn't really refuse. It's just a holiday trend."

Ryan's mother shrilled at me.

"Open your eyes and see! Ryan is popular with women. But he'd never do anything to hurt you. Stop trying to smear his name!"

It was true. Ryan's chat log with the person was perfectly normal.

He had her saved as [Marketing - Chloe], and the conversations were all about work.

Her profile picture was a selfie of a young, lively-looking girl with a similar Santa hat photoshopped on. Nothing unusual.

The most recent messages showed Chloe sending Ryan a picture.

[Wearing a Santa hat at Christmas brings good luck!]

Ryan's reply was perfectly proper, just two words.

[Thanks.]

It was so polite, so normal, it made me look like a paranoid, jealous mess.

The parents at the main table saw the chat.

My dad glared at me.

"The misunderstanding about the picture is cleared up. Can we proceed now?"

My reply was ironclad.

"No. I want to call off the engagement."