Chapter 2

A few days later, Theo came to propose. He had guys lugging in millions in gold bars, a villa, a bunch of sports cars, even a real painting by my favorite artist.

Watching the pile stack up in our entryway, I cocked an eyebrow. "Theo, didn't you say your family was broke?"

He shot me a grin. "Can't let my wife settle for less."

He was like a wagging puppy. Pretty cute.

As he was leaving, he snuck a quick peck on my cheek when my parents weren't looking and whispered, "Babe, you're gorgeous. I'm crazy about you."

I was still processing when he dashed off.

Right then, Lydia showed up.

Her eyes bugged out at the mountain of gifts. "Elara, you must be head over heels for Rowan—look at all these gifts you got ready to marry him."

Then she sighed, staring at the floor. "Wish I could've done that, but my family's got nothing. Good thing Rowan doesn't care. He even gave me a huge wedding gift."

Every word made it sound like I was throwing myself at him. I didn't bother setting her straight. We were done.

Then I spotted the ring on her finger—the exact wedding band Rowan and I picked out together. He'd sworn he'd slide it on my finger.

Now it was on hers.

She noticed me staring and stretched her hand out a bit more.

Pain hit my chest like a knife. I grabbed her wrist, twisting the ring. There it was—my initials, "ED," etched inside.

Rowan burst in right then. He glared at me. "Elara, jealous much? You didn't have to hurt her."

He helped Lydia up, looking at her like she was made of glass.

Lydia pouted. "Elara, I know you're mad Rowan gave me your ring, but I didn't mean to take it. He just felt bad for me—said he couldn't let me go without.

"I'm sorry. If you don't want me to have it, I'll give it back."

She started pulling it off. Rowan grabbed her hand. "It's yours. Wear it."

He led her to my walk-in closet to change—like he still owned the place.

A minute later, they came back. She was wearing the dress Rowan gave me for my birthday.

My face froze. Rowan shrugged. "You never even wore it. Let Lydia have it."

I hadn't worn it because I loved it too much. He barely ever gave me gifts. I'd kept it perfect. But now, in a heartbeat, he made it someone else's with barely a thought.

Lydia dug two rings out of her bag and held them out. "Elara, I know you're upset I took your ring, so I got these for you and Rowan. Hope you're not mad at me."

They were just two cheap silver bands—the kind nobody would ever pick for a wedding. Total insult.

I looked up, calm. "I don't want them."

Lydia bit her lip, looking all wounded. "Elara, are you looking down on me or something?"

Even Rowan jumped in. "She's trying to make it right. You gotta embarrass her?"

I ignored him, went to my room, and came back with a fancy box. I flipped it over, dumping everything onto the table. "Rowan, every single thing you gave me—from when we were kids until now. Take it. I'm done with your stuff."

Stuff clattered everywhere—bracelets, necklaces, random junk. Rowan's face went stormy.

He started to blow up, but then his eyes snagged on the pile I hadn't hidden yet: Theo's gifts.

A cocky smirk spread across his face. "Elara, classic you—saying no while secretly packing gifts.

"Fine, whatever. Wedding's still happening."

I was stunned, not expecting Rowan to humiliate me like that. He'd already married Lydia, and now he was still talking about having a wedding with me? Was he seriously trying to turn me into the other woman?

I laughed, cold. "Rowan, dream on. I'm not marrying you."