You're the Master of Lies, Sweetheart

The night before the wedding, Sloan Tanner got a package from her fiancé’s sister — a used condom.

With a smug smile, she taunted, “Bet you didn’t know but…Wyatt screwed me more than ten times last night. I could barely get out of bed this morning.”

Sloan was about to confront her fiancé when she accidentally overheard him on the phone with his sister.

His voice was cold and distant, the corner of his mouth curling into a mocking smile.

“Don’t worry. Once the marriage gives me the advantage I need, I’ll find a way to divorce her and get rid of her.”

“I only see her as a practice run. She’s stiff and boring—nothing compared to you. You can always drives me wild.”

Sloan’s face turned deathly pale, her heart twisting painfully in her chest. She never imagined that after all these years of love and devotion, she’d end up being nothing more than a convenient practice run.

If that’s how it was, then fine. She’d let him have what he wanted.

——

“He is such a scumbag! I can’t believe he’s been cheating on you. And with his own sister? That guy’s disgusting!” Harper Kemp stormed toward Sloan, wrapping her in a protective hug.

Sloan’s face remained unnervingly calm, her eyes cold and empty. She glanced down at the diamond engagement ring on her finger.

“Harp, I need your help,” she started. “I want you to fake my death two weeks from now. On the day of the wedding.” A bitter smile curled her lips.

Six years. She had endured this one-sided, toxic love for six long years. Now it was time to end it.

Harper froze, staring at her in disbelief. But when she saw Sloan’s tear-filled, bloodshot eyes, she realized Sloan was serious. Her heart twisted painfully at the sight of her best friend like this. Who would have thought that Wyatt Finley—the man who seemed so deeply in love with Sloan—would be capable of such betrayal?

“Why would you want to…?” Harper trailed off, but then her expression hardened with resolve. “Alright. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

Trying to lighten the mood, Harper pulled Sloan into another comforting hug. “Anyway, it’s been ages since we last hung out. How about we hit the mall and do some shopping?”

Sloan smiled faintly, but nodded.

At the mall, wedding announcements featuring Sloan and Wyatt were plastered everywhere—sweet pictures of them smiling at each other, eyes filled with affection. Anyone looking at them would assume they were the perfect couple.

Passersby were buzzing with excitement as they talked about the lovebirds.

“Aren't they just perfect together? He's the future heir of the Finley Family and she's the heiress of the Tanner Family. I heard they've been together since they were kids. Once those two families unite, they'll be unstoppable.”

“I heard that when Sloan disappeared, Wyatt defied his family’s attempts to arrange a marriage with another woman. He even posted on social media, saying he wouldn’t marry anyone but Sloan. Apparently, it caused such a huge fight that his family almost disowned him. Isn't that just the sweetest thing? Ugh, why can’t I have a love story like that?”

The constant chatter of admiration and envy buzzed in Sloan's ears.

Her face remained impassive, but her heart twisted painfully, as though an iron fist was squeezing it tight, cutting off her breath.

It was precisely because of these beautiful memories that she had held on for so long, foolishly believing that he still loved her. But love only counts when it's still there.

And Wyatt had long since stopped loving her.

Suddenly, the sound of commotion drew her attention.

Wyatt had just walked into the mall, his arm wrapped intimately around a woman bundled up in an expensive designer coat.

“Mr. Finley, is this your fiancée? You two look so good together! I can't believe you’re taking time off from running Finley Corp just to go shopping with her. My husband only makes three grand a month and he still complain about being too busy! I should make him come here and see what a good husband looks like.”

Wyatt said nothing, but he smiled. 

The woman on his arm was Carol Finley—Wyatt’s adoptive sister. They had no blood relation, but the way they were wrapped around each other left little room for misinterpretation.