Chapter 3

Right now, Dani's eyes were sharp and fierce, nothing like the frail gentle act she'd put on when Luis was around.

I met her gaze without fear and shot back coldly, "What are you so smug about? He'll treat you the same way he's treating me now. Believe me, you won't end up any better than me."

Dani laughed. "You think too much. I never planned on marrying Luis. You can be his perfect wife."

I was stunned. But what Dani said next? That completely blew my mind.

Dani grinned, "You just don't get guys at all. The wife never wins, the mistress is more fun, but nothing tops the excitement of sneaking around. Guys live for the thrill. If I marry Luis, that would just kill all the passion."

Dani propped her chin in her hands, tilting her head at me. Her smile was innocent but her words sent shivers down my spine.

Suddenly, despair washed over me.

Luis had been toying with my feelings, and the girl he was obsessed with? She was scheming in their relationship as well.

*****

For the next two days, I couldn't tell if Luis and Dani thought I was just in their way, or if Dani's whole suggestion to stay at my place had only been a test from the start.

Either way, they didn't come home for two nights in a row.

It was the perfect chance for me to gather my things and clear out.

I'd walked away with dignity, erasing every trace of my existence there.

As I was packing up my stuff, an exquisite ring box caught my attention.

The box had a brand name on it—the very same brand I'd once mentioned to Luis.

I'd always dreamed that, when we finally got married, he'd slip the diamond ring from that brand onto my finger. Its name was "The One", meaning loving just one person for a whole lifetime.

I wondered if the ring was really meant for me.

I opened the ring box carefully, and there it was—a diamond ring, sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight.

It was the ring I'd always wanted.

A wave of hope rippled through my heart, but as soon as I caught sight of the engraving inside, every bit of wishful thinking shattered.

Etched inside the band were Dani's initials.

So Luis had remembered this ring, and that it meant loving one person for a lifetime, but in the end, he bought it for Dani, his childhood sweetheart.

Even after Dani had been abroad for so long, he still bought the ring and kept waiting for her to return, so he could slip it on her finger.

I glanced around the apartment I'd lived in for three years, and everything suddenly felt absurd. In the end, I'd given my heart to the wrong person.

*****

Luis and Dani came back on the very last night before I left.

The fresh hickeys on Luis's neck stood out blatantly.

I shot a glance their way, completely numb inside.

Luis tensed for just a second, then shrugged it off and headed inside with Dani as if nothing had happened.

"Whoa, why's the place so cleaned out?" Luis asked.

That was when it hit him—the house that was always packed with stuff now looked almost empty.

I continued to wipe down the living room, keeping my tone casual. "Yeah, the wedding's coming up, so I figured it was time to clear things out."

Luis nodded with a satisfied smile and walked over, reaching out to hug me from behind.

I calmly stepped aside. "I just finished cleaning. I'm covered in dust."

Maybe Luis felt guilty for staying out the last few nights. He paused, and as though it took him a great deal of effort, said, "Once work slows down in a couple days, let's book our wedding photoshoot and lock in our wedding date."

I scanned Luis's face, and only now did I finally see through his fake affection.

But I couldn't even bother to expose him. Not like it mattered anyway. The next time Luis and I crossed paths, it'd be at my wedding to Jared.

Luis and Dani headed into the bedroom, with Dani's laughter ringing out every so often.

I didn't bother with them. All I wanted was to finish packing up and leave this place early tomorrow.

When I got into bed that night, Luis sneaked into my room and slipped his arm around my waist like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Disgusted, I moved away from him.

But Luis just ignored my reaction, scooting closer again, determined to hold me tight.

I couldn't help it any longer. Nausea hit me, and I launched myself out of bed, stumbling into the bathroom, retching.

Every single time he tried to get close, I felt sick to my stomach.

Luis hurried over, his face all worried. He rubbed my back gently and asked, "Gwen, are you pregnant?"

He watched me carefully, with a hint of hope in his eyes.

I shook my head. "No, my stomach's just been acting up these past few days."

Seeing that flash of disappointment on his face, I just found him ridiculous.

He then said, "Oh, by the way, I'm heading to Leilaburgh in a couple days for a business trip. The heir to Dawson Group is getting married, and I've got an invite to the wedding.

"Get this—the bride's name is actually the same as yours. Want to come with me?"