Chapter 3

A few weeks later, Northfield hosted its annual town fair and crafts festival.

It was the biggest event of the year, the prime spot for local factories to showcase their products and network.

I usually hated these things, but Mercer Hardware Works needed the exposure, so I personally led the team.

The fairgrounds were packed, a chaotic mix of live music and shouting vendors.

As I navigated the crowd, a familiar figure caught my eye.

Adrian was standing near a booth. Lily was right beside him.

When the crowd briefly separated Adrian from her, Lily locked eyes with me. A triumphant smirk spread across her face as she walked over.

"It doesn't matter how long you two were together, Evelyn. He chose me."

The second the words left her mouth, she lunged forward, slamming her plastic cup of iced tea directly into my chest.

The cup crumpled. Dark red liquid splashed over her own dress, staining it from the collar down to the hem.

Right on cue, Adrian materialized, frantically brushing the ice off Lily's clothes.

Lily looked up at me, her voice trembling with perfect, manufactured terror.

"Adrian, don't be mad at Evelyn. I'm sure she didn't mean to push me."

Adrian whipped his head around, glaring at me with pure venom.

"Are you out of your mind, Evelyn? It's over. Are you really still pulling these pathetic stunts?"

"You think hurting her is going to make me come back to you?"

"I'm warning you. If you ever lay a hand on Lily again, I won't care about our families' business ties. I will ruin you."

I stared at him. A laugh actually bubbled up in my throat.

"Lay a hand on her?"

I took a slow, deliberate step toward Lily. I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face.

The sharp crack echoed over the noise of the crowd.

"Did you see that clearly, Adrian? That is what it looks like when I lay a hand on her."

"Consider that slap my wedding gift. May you two deserve each other forever."

Adrian stood frozen in shock. By the time his brain caught up, I was already walking away.

No one tried to stop me.

The next morning, I drove straight to the most exclusive bridal boutique in Northfield.

Adrian had always claimed he was too busy to help with the wedding prep, so I had handled the dress, the accessories, and the venue all by myself.

To make sure Adrian looked good, I had paid out of my own pocket for a custom ivory gown.

I had also sent in the Carter family heirloom pendant to be polished for the ceremony.

Since the wedding was off, I was taking my things back.

When I walked into the shop, the owner, Martha Bennett, looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.

"Miss Carter... Adrian already picked up the gown and the pendant."

"He had the confirmation slip. We assumed you were just tied up with work, so we handed everything over to him..."

Of all the days to finally run a wedding errand, he chose today.

I knew exactly what he was doing.

He could keep the damn dress, but I wasn't leaving my family's heirloom in his hands.

I dialed his number immediately. He answered, his tone dripping with leverage.

"Want the pendant back? Sure. But your mill just signed a joint manufacturing contract with us, and we've hit a bit of a snag..."

He was blackmailing me.

I let out a cold scoff into the receiver.

Hearing my silence, Adrian softened his voice, playing the reasonable one.

"Come on, Evie, it's not like you're short on jewelry. When we finally get married, I'll buy you a custom piece. Just let Lily wear this one. I want her to look decent on the day."

This time, I actually laughed out loud.

When I didn't argue, he took it as a win.

"Evelyn, the wedding is coming up. If you want to attend..."

"I'll pass," I cut him off, my voice like ice. "I won't have the time."

Adrian sounded confused. "Why? What are you busy with?"

I answered him with absolute calm.

"My parents are planning my wedding."

Dead silence on the other end of the line.

"Oh. I see. Well, that's fine."

"You always did think of everything, Evelyn. Alright, I'll adjust the schedule."

He hung up before I could say another word.

I didn't bother calling back.

I only cared about one thing: getting that heirloom pendant back.

I'd let my lawyers handle the rest.

My wedding with Julian was set for the exact same day as Adrian and Lily's.

Early that morning, my friends, family, and neighbors gathered outside my house to send me off.

The route my motorcade took happened to pass right by Adrian and Lily's venue.

As my car rolled past, I glanced out the window and saw Lily stepping out of her bridal car.

She was wearing my custom ivory gown. I could see the hand-stitched detailing from here. And resting against her collarbone was my family's heirloom pendant.

She was beaming, leaning into Adrian's chest, soaking up the attention of the crowd.

But a second later, both of their smiles completely froze...