Chapter 2

The next morning, Ethan was the picture of a doting fiancé. He brought her coffee in bed, a single perfect rose on the tray. “Morning, beautiful,” he murmured, kissing her forehead. “Thinking about our Italian villa wedding? Or the custom gown?” His smile was so convincing. It made her skin crawl.

Ava forced a small smile. “Just thinking about… forever.” She watched his eyes. Was there any flicker of guilt? Any hint of the storm raging inside her? Nothing. Just smooth, confident Ethan.

“Forever’s going to be amazing with you, Ava,” he said, his voice sincere. He traced the line of her jaw. “You’re everything to me.” Liar.

Later that week, Ethan insisted on a pre-wedding gift. They were at Cartier. He presented a stunning vintage tennis bracelet. “This is one-of-a-kind, Ava,” he said, his eyes gleaming as he fastened it on her wrist. “Custom-sourced. Just like our love. Unique.” The bracelet felt heavy, cold.

The store manager, all fawning smiles, chimed in. “Mr. Hayes has impeccable taste. This piece is truly exceptional, a testament to his devotion. We’ve never seen another like it.” Ava nodded, her smile feeling like a mask.

That evening, scrolling through Instagram with a kind of morbid curiosity, Ava’s breath hitched. Chloe Vance. A new post. A selfie, a coy smile. And on her wrist, glinting in the low light of some trendy bar… An identical vintage Cartier tennis bracelet. Chloe’s caption: “Some things are just meant to be. Feeling cherished. #Blessed #UniqueLove”

Ava stared, the two images burning in her mind – her own wrist, Chloe’s wrist. One-of-a-kind. Custom-sourced. Unique. Ethan hadn’t just lied about the affair. He’d lied about this. He’d given his mistress the exact same “unique” token of love. The casual cruelty of it, the sheer arrogance, stole her breath. He hadn’t even bothered to be original in his grand deceptions.