Chapter 2

Rowan definitely heard it.

That bright, joyful female voice burst in his mind, like surround sound turned up to max.

Billions in alimony? Hot young boy? Stone-cold face?

So this was what she had thought of him these past three years.

Briseis, always so meek, always keeping her head down, blushing whenever he spoke, was this what she was really thinking all along?

"Just a hallucination," Rowan muttered, rubbing his throbbing temples. He must be exhausted from work. He was probably hearing her mind.

He locked the divorce papers in his drawer, as if that could somehow seal away those crazy thoughts for good.

"Get the car ready. I'm heading to the airport," he said coldly.

Winona was back, and he was going to pick her up. Now, this was what he'd really been looking forward to.

I rolled my suitcase right up to the penthouse suite of the swankiest hotel downtown.

First thing, I slipped into the oversized jacuzzi and uncorked a bottle of vintage '82 champagne.

My phone chimed with a bank alert. [You have received a credit 3 billion in your account.]

Seeing that endless string of zeros, I let out a satisfied sigh. 'Money really did have a sweet scent. Three years locked up in that marriage? Totally worth it for this payday.'

I called up my bestie, Anna. "Hey, Anna, I'm officially divorced. Tonight at Nightram, no holding back, drinks on me."

Anna shrieked on the other end. "Girl, you finally snapped out of it. Wait for me. I'm coming right now."

After hanging up, I started humming and headed to the closet to pick out tonight's gear.

I ruthlessly tossed aside all those neutral-colored gowns I wore to play Ms. Ashwick.

Then I grabbed the red spaghetti strap mini I'd bought ages ago but never dared to wear. The woman in the mirror was glowing, her eyes full of life. Finally, the real me was back.

This was Briseis, the real me.

*****

Nightram was the hottest money pit in Harboin, where the rich come to play and cash flows like water.

Anna and I were lounging in a VIP booth, surrounded by pricey bottles of every kind of liquor.

Anna raised her glass. "To Briseis, finally out of misery and living her best life."

I grinned, tapped my glass to hers, and knocked it back in one shot.

'Hell yeah, this booze blows that coffee the Ashwick family's butler brewed for me out of the water,' I wondered.

Anna shot me a weird look. "Briseis, what did you just say?"

"I said this drink is amazing," I replied, swirling my glass.

"No, what did you say right before that?" she said.

"Right before?" I paused, thinking. "Did I say, "finally free and living my best life?"

"No, that's not it. Eh, maybe I misheard." Anna scratched her head and let it go.

We were having a great time when someone suddenly pulled aside the booth curtain from outside.

I looked up and met Rowan's familiar, ice-cold expression.

Standing close to him was a woman in a white dress, looking delicate and beautiful.

It was Winona.

The smile on my lips faded.

I sneered inwardly, 'Just my luck. Even when I'm out trying to have a good time, I bump into my ex. Wasn't he supposed to be at the airport picking up his precious first love? Why is he here?

'Oh, I see. He's here to show off his soulmate right in front of me. How immature.'

Rowan's expression grew even darker.

He caught it again.

That damn voice was loud and clear.

He'd brought Winona here to meet some friends and celebrate her return. The moment they walked in, Rowan caught sight of her by the edge of the dance floor, her smile dazzling and effortless.

She wore a fiery red dress, her bare, flawless back on display, a far cry from the woman in his memories, who always favored those modest cotton and linen dresses.

Before he knew it, Rowan found himself moving toward her.

Winona clearly recognized me, too. She spoke up in that soft, measured voice, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. "Briseis? What a coincidence. Rowan and I just got back, and I didn't expect to run into you here."

She paused, giving me an apologetic look. "Briseis, I'm really sorry. It's all because of me that you and Rowan..."

What a perfect fake woman.

I sneered inwardly, but kept my expression calm. "Ms. Fairmoor, you give yourself too much credit. Rowan and I ended things peacefully. It has nothing to do with you."

'Of course, it has everything to do with you, drama queen. But honestly, I should thank you. If you hadn't come back, who knows when I'd finally get my 3-billion payout? You deserve a medal for this,' I thought.

Suddenly, a few barely suppressed giggles rippled through the crowd.

The trust fund brats at the next table started eyeing Winona with open amusement and curiosity.

Winona's face drained of color, her eyes darting to Rowan, silently begging him to save her.

Rowan's gaze was cold as steel, drilling into me like he wanted to pierce right through my face.

"Briseis," he said, his voice carrying a clear warning.

I stared at him, genuinely confused. Seriously? Shouldn't he be busy comforting his perfect girl right now? Why was he coming at me?

I thought, 'He's out of his mind. Can't even handle his girlfriend, and now he's taking it out on me.

'Whatever, not worth my time. Anna, let's go party somewhere else.'

I took Anna's hand and headed out.

"Wait." Rowan suddenly grabbed me by the wrist.

His palm was scorching, sending a jolt through me.

"Mr. Ashwick, please behave yourself," I said with a frown, trying to pull my hand away.

He'd never been this forward with me, not once in our three years of marriage.

Rowan stared at me, his eyes a tangled mess of emotions. He looked desperate to say something, but couldn't figure out where to begin.

He wanted to ask if that was really what I thought.

Which one was the real me? Was I the sweet, obedient Briseis, or the one whose inner monologue was sharper than a blade?

"Rowan," Winona's eyes were rimmed with tears. "You're hurting Briseis."

I scoffed inwardly, 'Wow, she's really got the acting chops. Should've gone for the Best Actress instead.

'Rowan must be blind. He's got a genuine beauty right here, but he insists on picking the drama queen. His taste is seriously off.'

Rowan froze, then abruptly let go of my wrist.

His expression was so dark.

More and more people were gathering to watch the drama, pointing and whispering as the rumors spread.

"So this is what Mr. Ashwick's legendary first crush is really like?"

"Damn, so Briseis was a stand-in the whole time?"

"Briseis is wild, sweet on the surface, but she's got a whole different vibe inside. She's savage."

I listened to all the chatter around me, completely clueless about what was going on.

What were they even talking about? Why did none of this make any sense to me?

And why did Rowan and Winona look so freaked out?

It didn't matter. I was done thinking about this.

I grabbed Anna, who looked just as lost as I did, and we made a quick escape from this circus.

*****

The next day, I was at the hotel, working through some files for Grimshaw Group, when I got a call out of the blue.

It was Hartwell Nightshade. Hartwell was one of the top ceramic artists in the country, known for his dreamy, expressive style.

I'd been hoping to get him to do a collab with Grimshaw Group's high-end home brand for a long time.

I'd tried every way I could think of to reach him, but he always shot me down, claiming he had no inspiration.

"Ms. Grimshaw, this is Hartwell. I'd like to meet in person to discuss the collaboration," he said, his voice clear and warm, like a mountain spring.