Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Brooks is coming back to the States on the seventeenth."

"When he arrives, you're going to New York with him to have the wedding."

My father's voice on the other end of the line was cold and final.

I let the silence hang between us for a long moment. Just as he probably thought I was going to fight him again, I finally whispered, "Fine."

He sounded shocked, but before he could say another word, I hung up.

I checked my phone calendar. There were only ten days left until the seventeenth.

In ten days, I would leave this city and step into an arranged marriage.

I let out a bitter laugh and smoothed down my evening gown. Taking a deep breath, I walked into the gala ballroom.

As soon as I stepped inside, Delilah crashed right into me.

She let out an exaggerated gasp as her glass of red wine drenched my dress.

I tried to step back, but it was too late. The expensive fabric was ruined by a massive, dark stain.

Delilah looked up at me with those wide, innocent eyes that always made her look like a lost puppy. "I'm so sorry, Elara! I didn't mean to!"

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "It's fine. I'll send it to the cleaners."

"But this was a designer loaner," I added. "If they can't fix it, we're going to have to pay for the damages."

To my utter surprise, Delilah's eyes instantly welled up with tears.

She looked as though I had just slapped her. She began to tremble, her voice shaking with fake indignation.

"Elara, it's just a dress! Do you really have to be this mean? You know I can't afford to pay for something like that!"

I frowned, my patience wearing thin. "I'm just trying to solve the problem. Save the act for Caleb and Silas. It doesn't work on me."

Delilah's gaze turned icy for a split second. Then, she grabbed another glass of wine and poured it all over herself.

She bit her lip, looking both stubborn and pitiful. "There! Are you happy now? Is your ego satisfied?"

At that exact moment, Caleb and Silas walked in.

Their faces went pale when they saw the scene.

They rushed over, shoving me aside to get to Delilah.

I stumbled back, nearly losing my balance.

Caleb looked at the shivering Delilah with pure heartbreak before turning a cold glare on me. "Have you lost your mind? Bulling her in public like this? You know how much she loved that dress!"

Silas was usually the gentler one, but his eyes were filled with disappointment. "Elara, she looks up to you. How could you do this?"

"When did you become so bitter and petty?" Silas asked.

Delilah hid behind them, a tiny flash of triumph glinting in her eyes.

She didn't stop there, though. She let out a sob and ran toward the exit.

Caleb panicked and chased after her immediately. He looked more worried than I had ever seen him.

Silas stayed behind, staring at me for a long time. He sighed heavily. "Elara, I'm truly disappointed in you."

I stood there, feeling completely numb.

I never thought the day would come when Silas would say those words to me.