Chapter 1

I'd been with Charles for three years. I wanted his money, and he wanted my body.

We both got what we wanted, making us the most "harmonious" lovers in the Ventaris Circle.

But then the girl he'd always loved came back, and he kicked me out, tossing me a check for 3 million dollars and telling me to get lost.

I ripped the check to shreds right in front of him.

Then I turned around and dialed a number. "Mr. Foster, is that marriage alliance you mentioned last time still on the table?"

Later, at the Foster Family's dinner party, he had his arm around his first love, looking all high and mighty as he announced, "Let me introduce you. This is my fiancée."

I linked arms with the aloof, distinguished man beside him and gave a faint smile.

I said, "What a coincidence. Let me introduce you. This is my fiancé. Charles, next time we meet, don't forget to call me Aunt."

*****

The day I broke up with Charles, he had just finished his shower. Steam filled the room, blurring the edges of his handsome face.

He was wrapped in a towel, drying his hair, every muscle on his body perfectly defined, radiating raw strength.

I'd been with him for three years, never had any official status with him, and since I couldn't get his heart, I settled for his body. But today, he was seriously off his game.

I could tell he was hiding something. And as luck would have it, I had something to say too. For once, we were actually on the same wavelength.

I sat on the edge of the bed, pulling my silk robe tighter around me, my voice as casual as if we were just chatting about the weather. "Charles, let's end this."

He paused, towel in hand, and turned to look at me. His eyes were empty, showing no emotion. "Bored already?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "Kind of."

He let out a mocking laugh, tossed the towel aside, and walked over, looming above me. "Lydia, did you forget our agreement? It ends when I say it ends."

His voice had that usual controlling tone, like I was just a canary locked in his cage, never getting out from under his thumb.

I didn't bother looking up. I lazily grabbed a cigarette from the nightstand and lit it, the tip glowing red in the dim light. "Charles, I'm not giving you a choice."

I took a slow drag and exhaled a ring of smoke, my voice muffled by the haze. "I'm just informing you."

He'd probably never seen this side of me before.

For three years, I'd always been the obedient, sensible one, never causing him any trouble. He must've thought I'd fall apart without him.

He leaned in, gripping my chin hard. "Where did you get the nerve?"

I was forced to meet his gaze, ash dropping onto the pricey carpet, but I couldn't care less. "I did."

I smiled, pushed his hand away, and stubbed out my cigarette in the ashtray.

Then I looked up, meeting his probing gaze, and dropped a bombshell. "I'm getting married."

I saw his pupils shrink suddenly. For once, that calm, unreadable face finally showed a crack.

A rush of vindictive satisfaction surged through me as I drawled, twisting the knife a little deeper. "I'm getting married in a couple of days. Will you come?"

The air was thick with silence. Charles stared at me, like he was trying to drill a hole right through my face.

After a while, he finally smiled, but it never touched his eyes, just an icy, sinister curve. "Lydia, what kind of game are you playing?"

He clearly didn't buy it. And honestly, in his eyes, I was just a gold-digger who'd do anything for a dollar.

I only started seeing him because his offer was high enough. Someone like me wouldn't just walk away from a meal ticket like him.

"I'm not playing games," I said, standing up and meeting his eyes. "I'm serious."

"Who is it?" he asked.

"You don't know him."

He scoffed, picked up a strand of my hair and brought it to his nose for a sniff. "Lydia, you really think I'd believe that? Trying to use marriage to force me into giving you some status? You're not even in the right league for that game."

I brushed his hand away and stepped back, putting some space between us. "Believe whatever you want."

I turned and walked to the walk-in closet, starting to pack up my pitiful little pile of things. Honestly, there wasn't much to take. I'd lived here, but always felt like a guest just passing through.

Other than a few clothes and some toiletries, I hadn't left a single trace of myself behind.

Charles just leaned against the doorframe, watching me with that calm, unhurried look. "Are you done making a scene?"

I paid him no mind, packed the last piece of clothing into my suitcase, and zipped it shut.

"Leave the car and the bank cards," he said, his voice turning cold. "You're walking out with nothing."

That was spelled out in the agreement. Of course I knew. "Don't worry. I'm not taking a single thing that isn't mine."

I pulled my suitcase right past him.

As I brushed past, he suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he was trying to crush my bones. "Lydia, I'm asking you one last time. What the hell are you playing at?"

I winced in pain, but didn't fight back.

"Charles, do you really think the whole world's women should orbit around you?" I stared at him, my gaze steady and cold. "Isn't your precious Grace coming back? Perfect timing for you to toss me aside and run straight to your real soulmate, huh?"

His face instantly turned cold. "Have you been investigating me?"

"Do I even need to?" I let out a self-mocking laugh. "Every time you get drunk, whose name do you call out? Don't you know it yourself?

"For three years, I've played the perfect stand-in, acting out your drama right alongside you. Now that your real soulmate's back, it's my cue to exit the stage.

"Relax, I'm out of your hair for good. Wishing you two a lifetime of happiness—and hey, hope you start popping out kids soon."

With that, I yanked my hand free and walked out of the cage I'd been trapped in for three years, not even bothering to look back.

As the door clicked shut behind me, I heard the sound of something shattering inside.

I curled my lips into a cold, icy smile. I thought, 'Charles, the game's over.'