Chapter 3

Julian, pretending not to know what had just happened, pulled me into a hug. "I'll fund a few major fashion shoots for you. How about that?"

"And I have a surprise for you tonight, at the observatory. It'll be better than any supermodel title."

I just forced a smile. His words, which used to be so sweet, now just made me sick. "Okay," I said, just to get him off my back.

After saying my goodbyes, I started to leave.

Julian dismissed the driver, saying he wanted to take me to the observatory himself.

Just as he was about to start the car, he got a text. I saw her name on the screen.

His face changed. He looked at me, a hesitant expression in his eyes. "Rory, something's come up at the office. Can you just go to the observatory by yourself?"

I just smiled. "It's okay. You go take care of your work."

He gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and rushed back into the party.

I started the car. But I wasn't going to the observatory. I was going to the Croft mansion, to prepare for my own death.

I threw our wedding photos on the floor. All the gifts he had given me, the ones I had treasured so much, I threw them in the trash.

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was a message from her.

A picture of him, passed out drunk beside her.

【He's a lightweight, but he drank so much for me tonight. You don't mind, do you, sis?】

【And did you know? He's been secretly helping me all along, even when he was pretending to be your enemy.】

【He's always been my knight in shining armor. He's always loved me. He only married you to use you.】

【You didn't really think he loved you, did you?】

【He told me that every night, he had to pretend you were me just to get it up. He said you were just Silas's sloppy seconds, that you were disgusting.】

Reading her words, I just felt… numb. I just packed faster.

I forwarded her messages to the most ruthless paparazzi I knew. Then I placed the life-sized doll in the bedroom and lit our wedding photo on fire.

I watched as the flames consumed our smiling faces, consumed the gifts I had once cherished. I threw my phone into the fire and walked away.

Forever.

He, of course, knew nothing. He was just looking at her, a hint of a complaint in his voice. "Seraphina, tomorrow is my and Rory's anniversary. This really isn't a good time."

Her eyes filled with tears. "Are you blaming me, Julian?"

He immediately panicked. "No, of course not. I'm sorry."

She just crossed her arms and pouted.

The family butler was calling him, over and over. He kept hanging up. Finally, he knew something was wrong. "What is it?"

"Sir, it's… it's the missus. She… she set the house on fire and… and took her own life."

"We tried to save her, but… it was too late."