Chapter 2
Suddenly, Anna's phone buzzed in her purse. She pulled it out and saw Ethan's name lighting up on the screen.
She answered, and Ethan's voice, smooth and commanding, came through the line. "Where are you?"
"Just got off work," Anna replied quickly.
"Stay there. I'm coming," Ethan said.
The conversation ended as abruptly as it started. Anna stared at her phone in disbelief.
Five minutes later, a sleek black Bentley pulled up.
It had been ages since Anna had ridden in Ethan's car. Without thinking, she walked over to the passenger side and opened the door, only to lock eyes with Camilla. Anna hesitated, caught off guard for a second.
Camilla was the first to react, flashing a warm smile. "Sorry, Ann. I know you're used to riding up front with Ethan. Let me switch with you."
With that, Camilla started to get out of the car.
However, Ethan reached over, keeping her in place. He shot a cold look at Camilla and said, "She's just a maid. Why would she think she deserves to sit in the front seat? If it weren't for you dragging her along to pick out a wedding dress, I wouldn't even let someone as awful as her in my car."
The words stung, and Anna's grip on the door handle tightened. "Sorry," she muttered. Then she quickly slid into the back seat.
"Ethan, don't talk about Ann like that," Camilla said gently. "I want Ann with me while I try on wedding dresses. She was raised by my parents, and since I never got to meet them, I'm hoping she can help me choose something they would have liked."
Camilla's words were filled with sadness, but Anna could almost feel Ethan's disgust burning through the rearview mirror.
Three years had passed, yet he still resented her for taking the life that was supposed to be Camilla's.
*****
The car cruised smoothly to the wedding dress shop.
Anna quietly followed Camilla and Ethan inside.
As soon as they entered, the shop assistant spotted Ethan and quickly ushered them into the VIP suite.
Anna just wanted to fade into the background, but Camilla grabbed her hand, bubbling with excitement. "Ann, guess what? The wedding dress I'm trying on today was designed by Ethan himself. I seriously can't wait to wear it."
Anna's heart sank as memories flooded back.
At 16, she often helped Ethan clean his study, since he only let her in out of caution.
One day, she stumbled upon a wedding dress sketch, hand-drawn by Ethan and hidden in a cabinet. She was caught by him in the act.
Her heart raced with excitement back then. Blushing, she had asked him who the dress was for.
Ethan's gaze softened with affection as he ruffled her hair. "Of course, it's for you, Ann. Your wedding only happens once, so I'm designing the best for you. I wouldn't trust anyone else to do it."
At that time, Anna was so naive, thinking that Ethan had feelings for her. She had daydreamed about the day she would wear that dress and marry him.
But now, she realized that the dream was nothing more than wishful thinking.
"Really? I can't wait to see you in it," Anna said.
As she said it, she felt Ethan's gaze, sharp and warning, burning into her.
Anna chose to ignore him, following Camilla into the fitting room without hesitation.
As she passed Ethan, he warned her in a low voice, "Don't do anything stupid. Just do what you're told and help Camilla with the dress."
"Fine," Anna shot back coolly, not even bothering to look his way.
Back then, she would have snapped right back, but now, she didn't even care.
After all, in three days, Anna Conroy would be gone for good.
Trying on the wedding dress felt like it took forever. Anna waited anxiously for more than ten minutes before the fitting room curtain finally parted.
Her eyes were fixed ahead. Camilla stepped out, glowing in the spotlight, her white gown dazzling.
At that moment, Anna's nose tingled, and she almost burst into tears.
She watched Camilla in the dress—a dress that had once existed in her dreams.
Almost in a daze, Anna drifted toward Camilla, standing right in front of her with misty eyes.
Anna was so dazed that she didn't realize everyone else, including the shop assistants, had already left the fitting room.
"Do you like it?" Camilla said, her voice pulling Anna back to reality.
Anna wiped her eyes and stiffened her expression. "Seriously, what woman doesn't love a wedding dress? I've done my part. I'm leaving now."
With that, Anna turned to leave, but Camilla's words made her freeze in her tracks.
"Anna, I know what's been going on between you and Ethan behind my back. How could you be so cheap? He took you in for sixteen years, and you still tried to seduce him?" Camilla sneered.
"Don't worry. It won't be long before I'm completely out of your life," Anna replied.
Right then, Camilla slapped Anna's cheek, not hard, but enough to sting and humiliate her.