Chapter 2

2.

That night, I tossed and turned, thinking about Declan Gallagher.

Rumor had it the Davenport Group's cash flow was in trouble, and we owed a massive debt to a legitimate investment firm the Gallaghers used to launder their money. Declan had agreed to forgive the debt and provide new financing on one condition: a marriage alliance, their ticket into New York's high society.

The limited information I had painted Declan Gallagher as a violent, middle-aged man with a limp who had murdered his own relatives to seize power.

In my past life, Misty was sent to the Gallaghers. Within three days, she was driven insane by Declan's cruelty. She later disappeared during a shootout, her fate unknown.

From then on, she became "the one that got away" for Landon, and the reason he hated me.

Ding. My phone chimed. I glanced down―it was an Instagram DM from Misty, with a photo attached.

The picture was of Landon's handsome profile. He was looking down, gently kneading a ball of smooth dough. Next to him, Misty was smiling sweetly at the camera, flashing a peace sign.

I knew instantly what he was doing. He was making an apple pie.

Misty's message followed: "Vicki, Landon made me an apple pie today―he said it's his grandmother's secret recipe, something he only makes for someone very special. Should I save you a piece? ??"

Every word was a carefully sharpened knife. She didn't insult you; she just "casually mentioned" it.

In my past life, I would have been heartbroken by Landon's affection for Misty, furious that he broke his promise and made the pie he swore was only for me for someone else.

But now that I had decided to leave, Misty's little games were just pathetic.

I scoffed and typed a quick reply.

"Are you proud of eating my leftovers?"

The next morning, I went to the equestrian club to train, preparing myself for the dangerous life ahead.

I had just swung myself onto the horse when a powerful force grabbed my waist, nearly pulling me to the ground.

"Do you hate Misty so much that you have to send her to Boston to die?"

Before I could steady myself, a furious roar echoed in my ear.

"Landon, let go!" My face was pale as I shoved his hand away.

But Landon pressed closer, his hands gripping my shoulders like vices. His usually gentle eyes were filled with rage.

"She was in the hospital for two months, Victoria, because she saved me! I've been having nightmares since that accident, and talking to her is the only thing that helps. She's so fragile, so in need of protection! And you? You're too perfect, Vicki. So perfect it's suffocating. Sometimes, I have to think about how to breathe when I'm around you. Misty makes me feel… like I can finally be the one to protect someone, instead of being the shadow trailing behind you!"

"This marriage was Harrison's mess from the start! Why should an outsider like her have to pay the price? Forcing her to go in your place is a death sentence! Victoria, when did you become so fucking cruel?"

"Do you have any idea? Misty was so terrified by the news last night she couldn't sleep or eat. And you're here, casually riding a horse. Do you even have a heart?"

I gritted my teeth and glared at him. "I said, let go of me!"

Landon's rage intensified, his eyes burning with the hatred of a mortal enemy.

"I'm telling you, Victoria, even if you force Misty to leave, I will never marry you! I would never want a woman as cold and heartless as you!"

"Even if your mother were still alive, she would be ashamed of you!"

Seeing the hatred in his eyes, I felt a dizzying sense of déjà vu, as if we were back in our past life.

For five years of our marriage, we fought constantly over Misty, our words crafted to inflict the deepest wounds.

I raised my riding crop and swung. Crack. A bright red welt appeared on Landon's face.

"Landon Hayes, you don't get to talk about my mother."

He had sworn at her grave to take care of me, to cherish me for a lifetime.

But now, Misty was all he talked about. There wasn't a trace of me left in his eyes.

The sting on his cheek seemed to shock Landon back to his senses. He touched the wound, dazed, and reached for me as if waking from a dream.

"I'm sorry, Vicki, I was just so worried…"

I sidestepped his touch, my face a mask of indifference. "Worried about what?" I asked mockingly. "It's not the final day yet. How do you know for sure it's a dead end waiting for Misty?"

Landon laughed at himself, a bitter sound. "With you in the picture, what chance does a powerless girl like her have…?"

"Victoria, I'm begging you. For the sake of our twenty years together, please, let her go. She's my only light in the darkness."

Using our entire history together to beg me to spare Misty―the woman who triggered his savior complex.

I always knew his feelings for Misty ran deep, but hearing him say it out loud still made my breath catch.

It was then I truly understood. In our world, Landon was never a free man. He was the guardian appointed by the Hayes family for the Davenports, the protector designated in my mother's will, the most crucial piece in the alliance between our two families. All of it weighed on him for twenty years. And Misty was the first woman who made him feel like he was "choosing" instead of "fulfilling an obligation"―or rather, she made him think he was choosing. In reality, it was just a carefully woven trap.

I gave a slight, bitter smile and turned away sharply.

Landon, I'm the one marrying Declan Gallagher. You got your wish.

That evening, Landon had a large, beautifully packaged apple pie delivered.

I opened the box, took one look, and dumped it straight into the trash.

Expired food, like expired love, only gives you a stomachache.