Chapter 2

2.

Chelsea did not come home until two in the morning.

Several packed suitcases were already stacked in the living room, filled with her things.

I caught a glimpse of her disheveled collar, where faint red marks peeked through.

She frowned, her tone dripping with irritation. "Shane, what the hell is all this?"

I stopped packing and met her eyes coldly. "We're done. Move out."

"Are you serious?"

"I just forgot about the party today! You know how busy I've been lately."

I let out a bitter sneer. "Busy enough to forget your own engagement, but not busy enough to go swimming with another guy?"

"Where is my grandmother's gown?"

Guilt flashed across her face, and she pressed her lips together.

"I don't know where I misplaced it. I'll pay you back."

She pulled out her phone to transfer money. "Is three grand enough?"

The rage I had suppressed all night exploded.

"Not even close! You know damn well how much that gown meant to me!"

"It was my late grandmother's legacy! Money can't buy that!"

She scoffed impatiently.

"So what? Fine, I'll add another two grand. That enough for you?"

My phone chimed with a notification: five thousand dollars received.

She rolled her eyes dismissively. "Whatever. I'm exhausted. Let's just cool off tonight."

With that, she slammed the guest bedroom door behind her.

Staring at the closed door, the last shred of warmth in my heart died out.

I dialed my phone.

"Hey, Jack. Find me a reliable moving crew for tomorrow morning…"