Chapter 2

2.

When I was twelve, I was sent to live with the Sterling family, distant relatives, at their estate on Long Island.

Back then, I was just a girl from a small Midwestern town, awkward, insecure, and timid.

Julian was the only one who protected me from the snobbish bullies at our private school.

And so, I fell hopelessly in love with him.

I followed in his footsteps, from prep school to the Ivy League.

But he remained as cold as ice towards me, acting as if I didn't exist.

Eventually, I got tired of it. I felt like a joke, so I gave up.

It was only then that I saw Carter, who had always been quietly by my side.

One night, during a downpour in New York, he held an umbrella over me by Central Park, getting one of his shoulders completely soaked.

He said, "Hannah, I won't force you to see me right away. I just want you to be free to be yourself."

How ironic.

I had worked so hard to evict the old tenant from my heart, joyfully welcoming Carter in.

Just as I was falling deeper into his tender trap, just as I started dreaming of a life with him in an Upper East Side townhouse...

He delivered the most fatal blow.

Tears welled up, but I quickly wiped them away.

The conversation inside continued, his scumbag friends giving him terrible ideas. "The cruelest way to get revenge on a woman is to let her fall from the height of her happiness. That's what makes it thrilling."

"Exactly. So, Carter, you have to go back. You have to go with her to the Vera Wang fitting, help her write the invitations. You have to act like everything is normal, and then, on the wedding day, leave her standing alone at the altar. I bet you Hannah will have a complete breakdown."

The room filled with sickening laughter.

I fought back the urge to vomit, waiting for Carter's response.

I was desperately hoping to hear him say, "Stop joking around, I really love Hannah."

Or at least, "That's too cruel to do to a girl."

But after a long silence.

I heard Carter's steady voice agree, "Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's do that."

An endless rage consumed me.

I managed a bleak smile, even as tears streamed shamelessly down my face.

Carter Davis, you want to play a game?

Fine. I'll play along until the very end. I, too, am very curious to see the look on your arrogant face when you discover your bride has already fled the wedding.