Chapter 2

The moment the icy water hit me, I could barely breathe.

The glass conservatory door was locked from the outside. All four walls were transparent, and the lights were blindingly bright, illuminating my pathetic state with nowhere to hide.

The terrace of the banquet hall downstairs was packed with people.

They stood, champagne glasses in hand, as if watching a meticulously planned performance.

Some laughed, some whistled. Others held up their phones, their cameras pointed at my rain-soaked face.

“This show is intense!”

“Mr. Vance really knows how to have fun, arranging this kind of surprise for his fiancée the night before their engagement.”

“What surprise? Didn’t Tiffany Blackwood say? It’s a test.”

“A test to see if she’s worthy of joining the Vance family!”

One taunt after another, they pierced through the sound of the rain and into my ears.

My fingers gripped the doorknob, but the door wouldn't open.

An electronic lock hung outside the glass conservatory, its screen glowing red.

Tiffany stood outside, wearing a pristine, beautiful evening gown, her makeup flawless, like an untouched gardenia.

She held a white umbrella, a wide smile on her face, and waved a remote control at me.

“Aria, don’t look at me like that.”

“Everyone just wants to see how much you truly love Ethan.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but it was just enough for those nearby to hear, and another burst of laughter erupted from the crowd.

I raised a hand to wipe the water from my face, my voice trembling. “Tiffany, open the door.”

She tilted her head, as if she’d heard something amusing.

“But the game has just begun.”

“We made a bet to see how long you can last without begging for mercy.”

She took a step closer, looking at me through the glass.

“Haven't you always said you're independent, strong, and capable?”

“Well, prove it to us.”

I looked at her innocent face, my heart growing colder by the inch.

Tonight was the eve of my engagement party with Ethan.

The Vance family had booked the entire mountaintop hotel. Tomorrow morning, all the media would be present.

Ethan had said it was the proper recognition he owed me.

He said I had stood by him through the Vance Group’s toughest three years, helped him rise from a marginalized illegitimate son on the board to his current position of power.

He owed me a proper status.

I had once felt truly happy.

For this engagement party, I had canceled three important meetings, personally reviewed every guest list, and every financial transaction.

But now, the man who was supposed to give me that recognition stood in the center of the terrace downstairs.

He didn't come up, nor did he tell anyone to open the door.

The rain was blocked by the eaves. Ethan stood in the warm, bright light, wearing a black suit, watching me with cold eyes as I shivered under the icy water in the glass conservatory.

I shouted at him through the glass.

“Ethan! Tell her to open the door!”

I thought he would at least frown, but he merely flicked his cigarette ash, unhurriedly.

“Aria, Tiffany Blackwood just likes to play games.”

“You’re older than her, and more sensible. Don’t hold it against her.”