Chapter 2

2

The venue was blindingly bright, filled with the sounds of fake laughter and clinking glasses.

Marilyn was at the center of it all, wearing a designer gown and surrounded by admirers.

When she saw Quinn, she practically glided over.

"Quinn! You made it! I couldn't have won this without your help…"

She stopped, pretending to be shocked when she saw me standing behind him.

"Oh, Sienna! You're actually here. I thought you'd be too embarrassed to show your face after what happened."

"The internet says you skipped the finals because you were afraid of losing to me. I felt so bad! You aren't mad at me, are you?"

Her voice was sweet, but her eyes were dripping with malice.

Quinn cleared his throat, clearly trying to get me away from her.

"I left my phone in the car. Go grab it for me, will you?"

I didn't want to stay and watch their pathetic performance anyway.

I turned and walked out of the ballroom.

Halfway to the door, I realized I forgot to ask for the keys, so I turned back.

That was when I saw something that made my skin crawl.

Near a cluster of large indoor plants in a secluded corner, the two of them were hidden from the crowd.

Through the leaves, I saw Quinn and Marilyn locked in a heated, desperate kiss.

Quinn's hands were wandering beneath her dress, and Marilyn was moaning softly, her face a mask of pure lust.

My stomach did a somersault. I couldn't believe they were this bold.

Could they really not wait until the party was over?

I took a deep breath, turned around, and walked away.

After a long moment of silence, I wiped the stray tears from my face and regained my composure.

I walked back into the hall.

Quinn's brow furrowed in annoyance when he saw me.

"I was wrong, the phone was in my pocket. What took you so damn long?"

Looking at this man, I felt nothing but disgust and pity for my past self.

Suddenly, a voice from the crowd shouted out.

"Sienna, everyone brought a gift for Marilyn. Did you come empty-handed? Are you really that bitter about her win?"

In an instant, every eye in the room was on me.

For five years, Quinn had controlled all the finances; I didn't have a cent to my name.

Besides, he had dragged me here. I never intended to give that bitch a gift.

Quinn leaned in, whispering harshly in my ear.

"Just give her a cash gift. I'll cover it later. Don't embarrass me."

I looked at Marilyn and spoke calmly.

"This emerald pendant is a family heirloom from the Sterling family. It's worth a fortune."

"But since Quinn thinks so highly of you, I'm sure he won't mind if I give it to you."

I reached up, unclasped the necklace from my neck, and held it out.

The room went dead silent.

The looks I received from the guests were a mix of confusion and shock.

I tossed the jewelry into Marilyn's hands and walked out without looking back.

I was almost at the car when a hand gripped my wrist like a vice.

Quinn was standing there, his face dark with rage.

"What the hell was that? You gave her the heirloom my mother gave to you as her daughter-in-law?"

I met his gaze with total indifference. "So what? It's just a piece of rock."

Quinn flinched, staring at me as if I were a stranger.

"Sienna, what is wrong with you? Are you trying to leave me?"

I shrugged. "If the love is gone, I'm gone. It's that simple."

Quinn suddenly barked out a laugh.

"Everything you have, I gave to you. Without me, you're a nobody with nowhere to go."

"Understand this, Sienna: you don't leave this marriage unless I say so."

But I wasn't Sienna anymore. I was Victoria Montgomery.

This pathetic little marriage couldn't hold me for another second.

Quinn stepped closer, his voice dropping to a warning growl.

"Just play nice, and I'll give you whatever you want. Don't test my patience, babe."

I smiled inwardly. We'll see about that.