Chapter 1

I’d been Sterling Royce’s secret for three years. When he suddenly announced he had good news to share at the company, I thought my time had finally come.

Earlier that afternoon, I’d seen a flower order on his phone.

I flew to a neighboring state that very night, just to get the most beautiful dress made in time.

But when I rushed back to the office the next day, I walked in just as he was wrapping his arm around another girl, announcing to everyone:

"I'm getting married. To put an end to any rumors and stop anyone from trying to climb into my bed, I wanted to introduce you all to my fiancée, Poppy."

Amid the applause, the girl shyly buried her face in his chest.

Across the sea of people, I met his gaze and smiled. Then, without a shred of hesitation, I turned and walked away.

I was still holding the hem of my dress as I walked through the company's revolving doors, just in time to hear Sterling's commanding announcement.

The smile on my face froze. I looked up at him on the stage.

He was wearing the suit I had so carefully picked out and ironed for him last night.

The flowers in his arms were from the exact order I had seen.

I had been so sure that all these preparations were for us. I’d been buzzing with excitement all night.

But now, he was holding another woman.

When our eyes met, I saw the smile playing on his lips, but his gaze was as cold as ice.

Every employee of Royce Industries was gathered in the lobby.

When they saw me, their faces lit up with the promise of a good show.

I knew they didn't like me.

Even though I worked my ass off and helped Sterling a great deal, in their eyes, I was just a pretty face.

All because of our secret three-year affair, he treated me differently.

It made everyone who wanted him resent me, thinking I wasn't good enough for their god-like CEO.

Seeing the color drain from my face, they seemed to revel in my pain.

The applause and cheers grew even louder.

Someone even had the guts to start teasing the perfect couple on stage.

"Mr. Royce, you have excellent taste! Don't forget to send us wedding gifts!"

"Yeah, Poppy is so beautiful. She and the CEO are a perfect match, unlike some people who don't know their place."

A wave of laughter rippled through the crowd, and all eyes, sharp with malice, turned to me.

Hearing the compliments, Poppy snuggled deeper into his arms and whispered something to him.

Sterling leaned in to listen, and the ice in his eyes melted into a warm spring. He smiled and gently ruffled her hair.

The scene was so beautiful it hurt.

I clenched my fists, my long nails digging into my palms. The physical pain was the only thing that could numb the agony in my heart.

When Sterling looked at me again, his expression was back to its usual cold indifference.

He made another solemn announcement. "From this day on, Poppy will be the future Mrs. Royce. I expect you all to treat her with the utmost respect."

The crowd, which had been joking just moments before, immediately straightened up and agreed in unison.

I just stood there, a misfit smiling back at him.

I turned on my heel, desperate to get out of there.