“I really didn’t want to do this,” he said, voice breaking with fake sorrow. “I told myself I’d take the secret to my grave. But now… now you’ve forced my hand, Lana.”
He looked me straight in the eye with a sadness so fabricated it could win an Oscar.
“I can’t keep covering for you anymore,” he said, his voice full of fake sorrow. “You think I didn’t notice the massive pair of horns you put on my head? I swallowed all of it without a word. Emily and I are completely innocent, yet you choose to slander me like this, stomping all over the heart that’s loved you unconditionally.”
He clutched his chest and moaned like he was on the verge of tears. “I’m a man too, Lana. I have a heart. And what you’ve done? It hurts.”
Even though I’d already braced myself for the worst, seeing Glen drop the act in front of everyone—just to defend his mistress—still left a bitter sting in my chest.
And when I thought about how I’d spent my previous life breaking my back for a man like him, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. God, how blind and stupid had I been?
Glen’s theatrics stirred up the crowd like sharks smelling blood. A wave of gasps and whispers spread through the guests as fingers started pointing in my direction.
“Wow, who would've thought the heiress of the Snow was such a shameless woman? She’s not just a flirt—she’s a full-blown heartbreaker. Honestly, girls like her shouldn’t be allowed within ten feet of a decent man.”
“Is it just me, or does anyone else actually feel bad for Glen? The guy's a total gentleman. He bent over backward to protect her reputation. If Lana Snow hadn’t pulled rank and thrown her weight around, I doubt he would've ever gone public with this.”
“She’s unbelievable. Most women would kill to have a man like him and she goes and plays games? I’ve always said it—those rich families are all smoke and mirrors. The only thing spotless in their mansion is probably the marble floor in the foyer.”
Glen looked incredibly pleased with himself. And when he walked past me, he leaned in close enough that only I could hear him, his voice low and smug.
“See that, Lana? The world’s full of people who hate you. I’m the only one who ever truly loved you. But since you caught me and Emily today, I guess there’s no point pretending anymore. Here’s the deal—if you kneel and apologize to us and promise to serve Emily obediently after we marry, I’ll be generous and still take you as my wife. In return, I’ll keep your dirty secret private.”
“You wish,” I snapped coldly, glaring daggers at him.
His expression darkened. His fake gentleness cracked, replaced by a nasty smirk like he had something big enough on me to ruin my life. He sneered, “Fine. Then wait and see. Unless you’re on your knees and begging for forgiveness, I swear you’ll never be ‘Mrs. Rivera’. You’ll be lucky if you’re not groveling at my feet one day, begging for scraps.”
Then he strutted away, chin up, completely ignoring the storm he’d stirred.
People were dying to know what bomb Glen was planning to drop next, so they rushed after him like he was the main act in some scandalous drama.
As I stepped into the grand hall, my eyes welled up instantly at the sight of two familiar faces—Mom and Dad.
“Mom! Dad!” I rushed into their arms, wrapping myself around them and sobbing like a child waking up from a nightmare.
They held me tight, panic flashing in their eyes. “What happened, sweetheart? Did Glen do something to you? If that bastard laid a hand on you, we will—”
Their words cut off the moment Glen paraded past us, proudly holding Emily’s hand like she was the bride he was about to marry.
My parents had seen their share of deception in this world. One glance at him was all they needed to understand what kind of game he was playing.
They were furious—Dad was ready to shout at him right then and there—but I grabbed his arm and stopped him.
Because right now, more than anything, I wanted to cherish this miracle of being reborn into a moment where my family was still whole.
