Chapter 2

2.

In front of the floor-length mirror, Luna Gable was spinning in a gown.

She was pointing at the bodice, complaining to the clerk.

"Make it tighter here. And the train needs to be three inches longer."

That was my dress. I had spent six months working with the designer on it.

It was hand-embroidered silk, a masterpiece that held all my dreams.

Fury surged into my brain.

I took a deep breath to steady myself and stepped forward.

"Take it off. That's my dress," I said coldly.

Luna flinched and ducked behind Ford, who was standing nearby.

"Can't you stop being so aggressive? You're scaring her," Ford snapped.

I almost laughed from the sheer rage. "Ford, that is my custom gown."

"It took half a year to make! Why is she wearing it?!"

Ford's expression shifted, showing a flicker of guilt.

"Evelyn, she has every right to wear it. She's the bride, so it's hers now."

I didn't understand what he was saying.

"I will still sign the legal papers. The Vance-Sterling alliance is still on."

He glanced at Luna, his eyes softening.

"But Luna went through hell to give me a child. I won't mistreat her."

"I've decided that Luna will stand at the altar for the ceremony. It's the least I can do for her."

"You... what did you just say?!"

I was shaking. If I agreed to this, my family would be the laughingstock of the century.

Ford seemed to think his plan was brilliant.

"I know it's not fair, but Luna has had it hard. Do it for the baby's sake..."

"You bastard. You expect me to play a role in this circus?"

"I sign the papers, but she gets the wedding night? And then I raise your bastard?"

"Do you think I'm a beggar waiting for your scraps, Ford?"

My voice rose, drawing stares from other customers.

Luna started to sob softly.

"Don't be mad, Miss Vance. I'm nobody. I just wanted to feel like a bride for once..."

Ford's brow deepened with a warning look.

"Evelyn, I've made my decision. You don't have a choice."

"If it weren't for my father, do you think I'd even marry you?"

I smiled coldly. It seemed Cyrus hadn't told him about the change of plans yet.

"Fine."

I looked him in the eye, my voice icy.

When the time came, he wouldn't be the one swapping brides. I'd be swapping grooms.

Ford blinked, surprised by how quickly I gave in.

Luna, hiding behind him, had a triumphant glint in her eyes.

Over the next few days, their engagement photos trended for three days straight.

The headlines still teased the Vance-Sterling wedding, but the face in the photos was Luna's.

My friends called me in a panic, asking what was going on.

The socialites mocked me, saying I was so desperate I gave my identity to a side-piece.

I ignored them and stayed by my father's side.

The doctors said his condition was worsening. He needed constant monitoring.

I blocked out all news of Ford and Luna, terrified of the stress it would cause my dad.

But Luna found her way in while I was out getting coffee.

When I walked back in, she was holding a fashion magazine, pointing at her photos.

"Look, Mr. Vance! Aren't these photos beautiful? Ford and I worked so hard on them."

"But wearing this dress was worth every bit of exhaustion."

"On the big day, I'll make sure you have the seat of honor!"

My father's face was ashen. His chest heaved as he gripped the bedsheets.

His lips trembled, but no words came out. The heart monitor began to wail.

"Dad!"

I screamed and rushed to hit the emergency button.

"Miss Vance, don't be so dramatic..." Luna said, faking concern.

I shoved her away with everything I had. "Get out! Get the hell out of here!"

I was sobbing, my vision blurred with tears.

"Move! He's crashing! Get him to the ICU!" the doctor yelled.

Nurses pulled me back as they wheeled my father away.

Ford tried to steady me, but I slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch me! You animal!" I pointed at his face, my voice raw.

"You knew how sick he was! You came here to kill him! What is wrong with you?!"

Luna hid behind Ford, her eyes wide with fake innocence.

"We just wanted to invite him to the wedding, Miss Vance."

"Bullsh*t!"

I scrambled up from the floor to lunge at her, but Ford caught me.

"Evelyn! Calm down!"

"Calm down? That's my father!" I thrashed in his grip, my nails digging into his arms.