Chapter 1

“Drink it.”

Lucas’s voice was a sheet of ice, sharp enough to cut through the crystal ballroom.

The music slowed.

Dozens of eyes—investors, socialites, fake friends—locked onto us.

In the center of the spotlight stood Mia Lane, holding a bowl of seafood chowder.

Her eyelashes already trembled with well-rehearsed tears.

She was standing where I should have been standing.

Beside my husband.

One hand resting lightly on his sleeve.

As if she had practiced being his wife in rooms I was no longer invited into.

“I can’t,” I said, backing away.

“I’m severely allergic to seafood, Lucas.”

“You know this.”

Mia had millions of followers and a face that could turn any lie into a sob story.

She knew exactly how to play the victim.

She lowered her head perfectly.

“Sophie, I just wanted to make things less awkward for Lucas’s birthday.”

With one sentence, she had the whole room staring at me like I was the problem.

Lucas stepped closer, his jaw tightening.

“Stop being unreasonable,” he hissed.

“Everyone important is watching.”

“Mia planned this entire birthday dinner for me.”

“Don’t ruin her night with another allergy act.”

“It has shrimp in it,” I whispered.

“It could close my airway.”

“Mia checked with the kitchen. It’s just for flavor.” His eyes were cold with impatience.

Mia had spent weeks gaslighting him, telling him my allergy was just a dramatic lie to ruin his events.

Two weeks ago, she had even staged a private dinner where the kitchen served me a “seafood-style” cream soup with no actual seafood inside.

When I didn’t react, Lucas believed her completely.

Before I could step back, Lucas grabbed my wrist.

His grip was like iron.

He forced my hand around the porcelain bowl and shoved it toward my face.

“Don’t embarrass me tonight,” he commanded.

The spoon pressed against my lips.

I struggled.

But the liquid spilled into my mouth.

I swallowed one mouthful.

For one fractured second, my eyes lifted toward the black security camera above the ballroom.

Then my throat closed.

The sound disappeared first.

Then the light.

My knees hit the marble floor.

Someone laughed.

“Is she actually acting?”

“She really picked his birthday to do a stunt like this?”

Lucas stood three feet away.

His face wasn’t pale with fear.

It was dark with rage.

“Get her to the holding room,” Lucas ordered coldly.

“Don’t let her ruin the party.”

I tried to breathe.

Nothing came in.

Through the fading blur, I saw Lucas take Mia’s hand again.

The music started.

Then everything went black.

After that, I remembered nothing.