Chapter 3

3

Fiona, Donny, and I grew up together in a small town. Back then, everyone assumed they were the perfect couple.

I was the quiet kid, the one who always followed them around. I was sickly, and they both looked out for me.

I buried my feelings deep inside. I was content being the supportive younger brother figure.

When we graduated college, Donny left for a fancy job in the UK. He dumped her without a second thought.

Shortly after, her parents proposed a merger between our families. The condition was that I had to take her last name and join her family business.

Fiona didn't care about the vineyard at the time. Her family needed someone to run the show.

She was heartbroken and bitter over Donny, so she just went along with it. I knew she didn't love me, but I didn't care.

I had loved her for a decade. I just wanted to be by her side.

After the wedding, I gave up my own family's inheritance. I poured my soul into her family's vineyard.

I worked day and night to modernize the brand. I developed new blends and expanded the market.

Even when I was exhausted, I felt like the luckiest man alive. I had the career I loved and the woman I worshipped.

I really thought we could be happy. I thought time would eventually make her love me back.

Then Donny came back to the States. I saw the spark in her eyes the moment she saw him.

Donny wouldn't let go, either. He didn't care that she was a married woman.

He pulled every trick in the book to win her back. He spent every waking moment trying to drive a wedge between us.

And then came the cellar incident. She threw me into a barrel to avenge a liar.

Finally, I understood the truth. All those years of devotion meant nothing compared to her first love.

Fiona stayed at the hospital for days, playing nurse for Donny. They spent hours reminiscing about their high school days.

The hospital staff even complimented them on being such a devoted couple. Fiona just smiled and didn't bother correcting them.

She didn't mention her husband once. It was like I had already ceased to exist.

Then, Leo showed up looking frantic. He told her a major distributor was at the vineyard for a meeting.

Usually, I handled all the logistics. Fiona just had to show up and sign the papers.

She was clearly annoyed that her private time with Donny was being interrupted. Now that there was work to do, she finally remembered she had a husband.

She pulled out her phone and called the guards at the vineyard.

"Let him out. But only because I need him to handle this meeting!"

"Tell him he has to apologize to Donny immediately. If he doesn't, put him right back in that barrel!"

She hung up and started planning Donny's birthday party. She was smiling, completely oblivious.

A few minutes later, her phone rang again. It was the head of security.

The man on the other end was silent for a long time. Fiona lost her patience and started snapping at him.

Finally, the guard's voice came through, trembling with fear.

"Ms. Fiona… Mr. Callum… I think he's dead…"

I watched Fiona closely, expecting some kind of shock or grief. Instead, she just let out a cold, mocking laugh.

"Dead? If he's dead, drag his body out and make him work anyway!"

She thought I was playing a prank to get out of trouble. She warned the guard that she'd cut his bonus if he kept lying for me.

Leo was standing nearby, his phone blowing up with messages from the vineyard staff. He looked terrified as he turned to Fiona.

"Ms. Fiona, maybe we should go back and check?"

Donny, ever the saint, chimed in. "Fiona, the business is important. Go check on him."

"Is he mad at me? Maybe I should come with you. I don't want him to be upset."

Fiona squeezed his hand, her eyes soft. "You're too good, Donny. You're always thinking about others."

"Not like Callum. He's a drama queen who just wants to cause problems and bail on his responsibilities."

I smiled bitterly. I was the one who did everything for her. Now, I was just a "drama queen."

Fiona's expression turned into a scowl. "I'm going back there to see what kind of game he's playing."

"He clearly hasn't learned his lesson yet. He needs to remember who owns him!"