I honestly thought for the first time in my life that my silly sister had finally done something right. I turned to Lucian, waiting, hoping he would speak for me.
But he didn’t even glance at me. “Mr. Velasquez, I can’t marry Aurelia. She belongs to Viktor. I won’t stand in between them.”
The air caught in my throat. “That’s not true! Viktor and I… we’re nothing.”
Across the room, Viktor rose to his feet. The dangerous edge in his smile made my skin crawl. “Aurelia, don’t deny it. You and I share something… unforgettable. How could you betray me so easily?”
“You—” My hands curled into fists, anger burning through the shame threatening to drown me.
He came closer, lowering his voice just enough so only I could see the satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. “The cameras were there, little dove. The whole world already knows. Stop pretending.”
My heart dropped.
My father’s pale face appeared before me, his phone shoved toward my eyes. “Look at this, Aurelia. Look what you’ve done!”
I didn’t want to. But there it was.
My name was all over the headlines.
#Velasquez Heiress and the Roberts Golden Boy Lock Themselves in for Two Hours
20 pictures. Each one was worse than the last. Shadows, blurred edges, but clear enough to tell the story they wanted to tell. My skin flushed under the effect of that drug Viktor had slipped on me, my body leaning into him, eyes half closed as if I had wanted every second of it.
Heat drained from my body. I turned to Viktor, horrified, betrayal clawing at my chest. He only stood there coolly, as if none of this was his faultm
“You forced me! Rape me—”
“Enough!” My father’s roar cut me down. “Our family doesn’t raise liars who play with men and deny responsibility. You will stand by Viktor, Aurelia. You will not disgrace us further.”
My knees weakened. The whole world had already seen the pictures. My father cared about nothing but reputation. There was no way out.
And then I looked up.
Lucian’s eyes caught mine. They were sharp, cold, filled with disgust and disappointment that sliced through me like a slow knife.
Something inside me cracked.
And then Polly’s soft voice broke the tension. “Mr. Sullivan,” she said quietly, almost lifeless, “do you still mean to marry me?”
Lucian’s gaze stayed on me as he answered, “Polly, I am a man who keeps his word. You will be the only woman in my life. I won’t falter. Not ever.”
My throat burned.
“Then… yes. I’ll marry you.”
And just like that, the decision was made for both of us.
By the time the night ended, the date had already been chosen. October tenth. A double wedding.
Me and Viktor.
Polly and Lucian.
***
After everyone left, I slipped out through the back door and found myself in front of Lucian’s car. I stepped closer. “W-why did you do that? Did you really mean to propose to my sister?”
The tinted window slid down, and his deep voice came out smooth but sharp. “Yeah. I wanted you to stop thinking there’s a way out with me. Better you give up now.”
The car pulled away before I could say anything else, leaving me standing under the blazing sun. My chest felt like it was burning, and I could barely breathe. My knees gave out, and I sank onto the hot pavement, tears rolling down my face.
From that day, I shut myself in. I didn’t go anywhere, didn’t talk to anyone. I wasted away, sleepless and aching, watching my life slip further into a place I couldn’t pull back from.
Then an invitation arrived for a charity dinner. I told myself I’d go, just to breathe somewhere that wasn’t my room.
When I stepped into the hotel ballroom, my heart stopped. This was the same place where Lucian and I had first crossed paths. Back then, Polly had set me up, and I’d run off in a daze. I had stumbled into the wrong hall, and before I knew it, a clumsy waiter crashed into me. I was about to fall into a champagne tower when a strong cedar-scented arm caught me, steadying me before the whole room could turn into glass and ruin. That was the beginning of us.
The memory broke when I noticed movement. A couple was walking toward me, hand in hand.
He wore a sharp, perfectly tailored suit, and she wore a designer gown that hugged every line of her body.
My heart froze. Lucian. And Polly.
Polly’s eyes lit with triumph when she saw me. Without hesitation, she tugged on his collar and kissed him, her lips pressed against the man who once only belonged to me.
