Chapter 2

"Your world."

Those two words echoed in my head, louder than the polite chatter and clinking glasses around us. They sliced through four years of shared memories, late-night coding sessions I did to build our future, and the quiet belief that our love transcended class.

In that instant, I knew my marriage was over. The gift, this mansion, felt like a monument to my own stupidity.

Her brother, James, swaggered over, a look of contempt on his face. "How did a bum like you even get past security? This event has a strict nine-figure net worth requirement for entry."

I looked from his smug face to Sabrina's, who was pointedly looking away as if she didn't know me.

"I own the place," I said calmly. "I set the rules."

A harsh, ugly laugh burst from James. "Own the place? You? Don't lie to save face, Lester. It's pathetic."

Sabrina finally looked at me, her eyes flashing with fury. "Stop it, Ethan! Stop making things worse with your ridiculous lies!"

Her mother, Caroline, glided over, her face a mask of perfectly applied outrage. "Ethan, I don't know what game you're playing, but you are jeopardizing a major deal for the Anderson family. A deal that secures Sabrina's future."

The deal. Marrying her off to Ryan Clark like a prize mare.

"The pitches today," I said, my voice dangerously low. "Every startup here is pitching for a single, final investment from an anonymous backer. E.L."

They stared at me blankly.

"I'm E.L.," I stated. "I'm the final decision-maker."

They laughed. All of them. A chorus of mocking, incredulous laughter that drew stares from nearby guests. They thought I was delusional, a desperate man making a last, pathetic stand.

"You're insane," James spat.

I turned to walk away, my heart a cold, heavy stone in my chest. I just wanted to leave, to disappear from their world for good.

Suddenly, a hand shoved me hard from behind. I stumbled, catching myself before I fell. It was Ryan Clark.

He looked me up and down with a condescending smirk. "Hey, buddy. I'll let you stick around. See how real business is done. Consider it a favor... for Sabrina."

He winked at her. She didn't protest. She just watched, her face a mixture of shame and annoyance.

The humiliation was a physical thing, hot and suffocating.

I turned back to face Sabrina, my voice devoid of all warmth. "Is it true? What your brother said?"

Tears welled in her eyes, but they weren't for me. They were for herself. "Yes," she whispered, the word barely audible. "It's true. I was saving myself... for Ryan."

"Saving yourself?" I repeated, the absurdity of it tasting like ash in my mouth. "After last night?"

She flinched but didn't answer.

A cold rage settled over me. Fine. They wanted a show. I'd give them one.

I walked over to an empty chair at a nearby table and sat down, crossing my legs. I would see this charade through to its bitter end.

James scoffed. "Look at him, thinks he belongs here."

Ryan waved a dismissive hand. "Let him stay, James. Let the guy get a glimpse of the real world. Besides, the main event is about to start. I hear some major D.C. power players are arriving. The legendary Gabrielle Jones is supposed to be here."

At the mention of her name, James's eyes lit up. "Gabby Jones? Wow. She's a goddess. Powerful, beautiful... out of everyone's league."

Sabrina, in a moment of sheer panic, leaned down and whispered in my ear, her breath hot with deceit. "Ethan, please. I'm only playing along to secure a future for my family. I still love you, I swear."

She straightened up, then added, "You should thank Ryan for letting you stay. It's a real opportunity for you."

That was it. The final straw.

I stood up, my voice ringing out, clear and loud, silencing the nearby conversations.

"Sabrina. Our marriage is over."

Her family scoffed. Her mother sneered, "As if. Everyone will know we dumped you, you pathetic gold-digger."

"Gold-digger?" I let out a short, humorless laugh. I looked directly at her mother. "That multi-million dollar diamond necklace you're wearing? The one you told everyone was a family heirloom? I bought it. A quiet gift after your husband's 'investment portfolio' took a nosedive."

Her hand flew to her throat, her face draining of color.

I turned to her father, the patriarch. "Your gambling debts in Monaco. The seven figures you almost lost the family name over? Wiped clean. By me."

His jaw went slack.

Then I looked at James. "And you. Your little insider trading stunt with that biotech firm. The one the SEC was about to nail you for? The evidence just... disappeared. You're welcome."

They were stunned into silence. Their faces were a perfect picture of disbelief and dawning horror. They had no idea who I was, and now, they were just beginning to understand the catastrophic scale of their mistake.