Chapter 3

3

The next morning, Gavin stood in front of the mirror adjusting his tie.

He was dressed in a sharp three-piece suit, claiming he had to meet an important client.

I sat at the dining table, sipping my coffee at a leisurely pace.

“By the way, Lucas mentioned he’s getting married next month.”

I brought it up casually.

“He wants to treat us to dinner so we can meet his fiancée.”

Gavin’s hands froze on his silk tie.

He glared at me through the mirror, his gaze turning instantly hostile.

“We’re not going.”

His refusal was sharp and absolute.

“Sadie, how many times do I have to tell you? I don't want you having anything to do with him.”

“Why is he asking you out right before his wedding? God knows what he’s planning.”

“If you dare go, we’re done.”

The same old threat.

In the past, I would have believed he was just being protective and canceled on my friends to appease him.

“Okay, then I won't go.”

I set my cup down and nodded submissively.

“That’s my good girl.”

Gavin walked over and patted my head with satisfaction.

“I’m heading out. Don't wait up for dinner tonight.”

The second the door clicked shut, I grabbed my car keys and followed him.

Gavin drove fast.

Instead of heading toward his corporate office downtown, he turned into a luxury high-rise residential complex.

I slipped quietly into the visitor lane behind him.

Gavin parked in a reserved space.

The door opened, and he stepped out.

Almost simultaneously, a young woman in a micro-skirt walked out from the private elevator lobby.

Voluminous curls, heavy makeup―she was unmistakably @SugarBarbie, Candy.

When she saw Gavin, she didn't rush into his arms like a typical mistress.

Instead, she crossed her arms and stomped her foot with open irritation.

“Why are you so late? I’ve been waiting for five whole minutes!”

Gavin, the man who acted so proud and authoritative in front of me, jogged toward her with an eager, pleading smile.

“I’m so sorry, baby. Traffic was terrible.”

“Excuses! Always excuses!”

Candy kicked him petulantly.

Her sharp heel slammed against his expensive slacks, leaving a dirty smudge on the fabric.

Instead of getting angry, Gavin immediately dropped down.

“Your strap is loose. Be careful, you might trip.”

He knelt on one knee on the cold concrete, carefully fastening the strap of her designer heel.

Watching this from my car, bile rose into my throat.

Candy looked down at him with an amused smirk.

She lifted her foot and rested it directly on Gavin’s knee.

“Number Three, does what you said yesterday still count?”

Gavin looked up at her, his eyes filled with pure infatuation.

“It counts. Of course it counts.”

“Then let me hear you bark.”

Candy wiggled the tip of her toe against his chest.

The parking garage was deathly quiet.

I held my breath, unable to believe what was about to happen.

Gavin glanced left and right to make sure no one was around.

Then, he lowered his head and pressed his cheek against the top of her shoe.

“Woof.”

A low, subservient dog bark echoed through the empty garage.

My entire perception of reality shattered right then and there.

It was ridiculous.

Utterly sickening.

Beneath that dignified, high-society exterior lay such a pathetic, degrading soul.

Candy burst into a giggle and patted his hair.

“Good boy.”

“So, when are you finally dumping that plain Jane?”

“I can't wait to move into your penthouse.”

Gavin stood up, brushing the dust off his knee.

His tone returned to its usual cold confidence.

“Soon.”

“Once my sister Genevieve signs off and hands me full control of the European expansion, I’ll end things with Sadie.”

“I can't do it just yet.”

“Sadie comes from a clean background and she’s meek and easy to control. Genevieve loves having a docile sister-in-law around.”

“Sadie is my best shield.”

“Without her keeping my sister satisfied, Genevieve would watch me like a hawk, and we wouldn't be able to play like this.”

A shield.

Meek.

Easy to control.

So that was all I ever was to him―a convenient pawn.

I leaned back against the headrest, my fingernails digging deep into my palms.

I didn't cry.

A piece of trash like him didn't deserve a single tear.

I picked up my phone and dialed a number.

It belonged to the only person Gavin truly feared.

The real powerhouse behind the Vance family empire―Genevieve Vance.

Her crisp, commanding voice came through the line: “Who is this?”

I took a steadying breath to keep my tone level.

“Ms. Vance, it’s Sadie.”

“I’d like to speak with you.”

“About your brother, and about the European landmark project.”