Chapter 2

2

Vivienne's face twisted in anger. "Fine, Caleb. Have it your way. Just don't come crawling back when you realize how much you messed up."

She turned on her heel and dragged Ashton away.

As I walked toward the exit, I heard a soft voice call my name.

"Caleb?" I turned around to see a young woman in a simple, clean dress walking toward me.

"I heard what happened. Are you okay?"

It was Daisy Miller. My family had sponsored her education through a charity program since she was a teenager.

After Vivienne and I got engaged, Daisy moved out of the guest house to avoid any awkwardness. It was the first time I had seen her in three years.

I didn't want to dump my problems on her. I just shook my head. "I'm fine. Just ending a long mistake."

Daisy hesitated, then reached out and gently patted my shoulder. "Don't be sad. You deserve better."

I looked into her kind eyes. "Shouldn't you be congratulating me for escaping a toxic nightmare?"

Daisy let out a small laugh. "You're right. Congratulations on finally getting your freedom."

Talking to her made me feel lighter. But the moment I stepped into my family's penthouse, I saw Vivienne and Ashton sitting in the living room, putting on a performance for my parents.

Vivienne's eyes were red from fake crying.

"Mr. and Mrs. Thorne, you've known me since I was a little girl. You know I'm not a mean person."

"I think of Ashton as a brother. I just wanted him to have a chance at the design competition so he could build a life for himself."

"Caleb already has everything. He doesn't need another trophy. But he's so jealous of Ashton that he's trying to ruin him. I didn't know what else to do but come to you for help."

I couldn't believe my ears. She was actually trying to turn my parents against me.

She wasn't just lying; she was doing it with total confidence.

My father slammed his hand on the mahogany table. "Caleb! Is this how we raised you? To be a selfish brat who won't help those in need?"

I clenched my jaw, my blood boiling.

Vivienne saw my reaction and smirked. "Oh, and one more thing. That ring Caleb designed... could you make him give the blueprints to Ashton? We're basically family, after all..."

I cut her off. "Who the hell is 'family' with you? Not me. Not anymore."

My mother looked between me and Vivienne. She looked conflicted.

"Vivienne, dear... that ring was Caleb's heart and soul," she whispered.

Seeing she wasn't getting her way, Vivienne's mask slipped.

She pointed a finger at my mother. "You always said you loved me like a daughter! And now you won't even give me one stupid drawing?"

"Caleb is going to be my husband, which means everything the Thornes own will eventually belong to us. A design sketch is nothing! You're being disgusting and greedy."

My eyes widened.

I couldn't believe she was saying this out loud. I must have been blind for twenty-five years.

She didn't just want me; she felt entitled to my entire family's fortune.

I let out a cold laugh. "You really think you own the world, don't you?"

Vivienne looked at my parents with a sneer.

"If I don't get those designs, the Sterling family will pull out of all our joint ventures. Consider our alliance dead."

"I suggest you hand them over now, unless you want to see your stock price tank."

I was actually amused by her stupidity now.

She seemed to forget that the Thornes were old money, one of the elite founding families of the city. The Sterlings were just lottery-winning trash who had gotten lucky in real estate ten years ago.

The only reason they were relevant was because I loved her.

"Vivienne, I think you're confused," I said, stepping into the light. "The Thorne family has never needed the Sterlings to survive."

Her face flushed with rage.

"Caleb Thorne, I've given you enough chances."

"Wait until I tell my parents. We're calling off this engagement for good. Just don't beg me for mercy when you're broke."

Ashton stood up, acting like a saint. "Caleb, just apologize. It's hard to find a woman as rich and beautiful as Viv. Don't throw it away."

I shoved him back into his seat.

"Get out. My life is none of your business."

After they scrambled out, my parents looked at me with deep concern.

I pulled out my phone and dialed my lawyer. "Draft the separation agreement. I want every cent the Sterlings owe us returned by the end of the week."