Chapter 1

1

At our wedding, my fiancé looked me in the eye and dropped a bombshell.

"Even though I'm marrying you, my heart will always belong to my childhood sweetheart."

The ballroom fell into a deafening silence.

Every guest turned to look at me, expecting me to scream, flip the cake, or leave in tears.

Instead, I started clapping. I smiled and said, "Since you feel so miserable, I won't stand in the way of true love. Just remember to return my trust fund money."

Suddenly, my fiancé was the one who looked panicked.

...

At the altar, Jace Sterling looked like a man attending a funeral rather than his own wedding. His eyes were red, brimming with unshed tears.

A mutual friend tried to smooth things over. "Tiana, did you do something to upset Jace? Just apologize to him after the ceremony. Don't make a scene today."

I looked at Jace with genuine concern.

His face was deathly pale. I thought he was physically ill and was about to suggest he go lie down in the bridal suite.

Then, a woman appeared at the entrance of the hall. She stared at Jace with an intensity that made my skin crawl.

When Jace saw her, his eyes lit up with a terrifying, desperate glow.

He set his champagne flute down and turned to me. "Tiana, there's something I have to say."

"I'm marrying you, but Penny will always have my heart. You love me so much, so you must want me to be happy, right? You won't mind this small truth?"

The room went icy cold.

Our friend's mouth hung open, his face twitching as he tried to find a joke to save the moment.

But Jace didn't let him speak.

"I'm serious," Jace added, his voice steady now. "I'm grateful Tiana is willing to marry me, but Penny is my one true love."

Penny Underwood was the girl he grew up with.

Listening to his firm, resolute voice, I felt a wave of pure absurdity wash over me.

This was our wedding day. After this, we were supposed to sign the papers and start our lives together as a couple.

By saying this in front of everyone, he wasn't just being honest. He was slapping me in the face in front of the entire city's elite.

I felt a stinging heat in my cheeks. The pitying stares from the guests felt like needles pricking every inch of my skin.

Jace stared at me, waiting for my submission.

He had chosen her. Even at the altar, he was willing to throw me away for a memory.

We had been together for three years. For three years, I had been the perfect, submissive girlfriend.

I had given up a prestigious job offer in London just to stay in New York with him.

I had poured my soul into this relationship.

He hated driving and the subway, so I became his personal chauffeur, driving him through snowstorms and rain.

He hated corporate cafeterias and takeout, so I spent hours every evening perfecting gourmet meals tailored to his taste.

When Jace finally asked me to marry him, I was over the moon. I wanted to scream my happiness from the rooftops.

And then, just as I reached the peak of my joy, he shoved me into the dirt.

I opened my mouth to ask him why, but I realized any question would just make me look more pathetic.

So, I swallowed the agonizing pain in my chest. I began to clap, a bright smile fixed on my face.

"Since you're so miserable, I won't be the villain who steals someone else's love. Penny is right there, so why don't you marry her instead?"

I paused, then added, "But don't forget to wire back the three hundred thousand my father gave you for our house deposit."

Jace's face twisted in an instant. "Tiana, how can you be so shallow? It's always about money with you!"

"You've been a stay-at-home housewife for years. I paid for everything while we lived together. Did I ever complain?"

"You're a talentless loser with no ambition. You aren't half the woman Penny is. How dare you even mention the money?"

I froze, staring at him.

The man in front of me looked cruel. His words were like jagged blades, carving into my heart until it was a bloody mess.

I realized then that I didn't know Jace Sterling at all.

He had become a complete stranger.

We met years ago at an international alumni mixer.

I noticed him immediately. He was handsome and carried himself with a quiet, shimmering grace.

Back then, no one understood my art, but Jace did.

He was kind, gentle, and encouraged me to keep painting when I was at my lowest.

I have to admit, his presence was the only ray of sunshine in my gray life.

It was love at first sight. As we spent more time together, I became obsessed with his every virtue.

When I found out he was single, I pursued him relentlessly.

Jace acted like my attention was a burden. He told me he was only in the city for his MBA and didn't want a distraction.

He even told me about a woman he loved deeply. Even though they were apart, he couldn't move on.

His honesty only made me admire him more.

I stayed by his side, waiting for him to notice me.

To put it nicely, I was a devoted suitor. To be blunt, I was his lapdog.

One night, we were out late in a rough neighborhood when a riot broke out. He huddled in my arms, shaking with fear.

I pulled him into a dark alley, praying the thugs would pass us by.

I was terrified too, but I knew I had to be the strong one. I had to protect him.

But Jace was too striking. He caught the eye of a group of men with metal bats.

Seeing their predatory smiles, I shoved Jace behind me.

Even now, I can feel the sickening thud of the iron rods against my back. I can still hear the sound of my own bones cracking.

My mind went blank, except for one single thought.

Jace is behind me. He can't get hurt. I have to save him.

Even if it costs me my life.