Chapter 2

The next morning, Ethan was on the phone, his voice unusually soft, almost tender.

"Chloe, darling, of course. Anything for you."

Sarah, preparing his coffee exactly how he liked it – a complicated, pretentious brew – felt a familiar pang. He never spoke to her like that.

He hung up and turned to Sarah, his face reverting to its usual impatient mask.

"Chloe's back in town. She' s having a party in the Hamptons tonight. We' re going. Get ready."

"Ethan, I..." Sarah began, thinking of the mountain of design work she had, the real work that used to define her.

"Don't argue," he cut her off. "You're coming. And wear something... presentable. Don't embarrass me."

She nodded, silent. Arguing was pointless. The wedding was the only thing that mattered.

The Hamptons party was a sea of glittering wealth and cruel smiles. Chloe Astor, beautiful and venomous, greeted Ethan with an air kiss that was more performance than affection.

Her eyes, however, lingered on Sarah with undisguised contempt.

"Ethan, darling, you brought your... little project," Chloe drawled, her voice dripping sarcasm.

Ethan just smirked, clearly enjoying the tension.

Throughout the evening, Chloe and her circle of friends, women with sharp eyes and sharper tongues, orchestrated moments of humiliation for Sarah.

They "accidentally" spilled champagne on her simple, elegant dress – the best she could afford.

They asked her pointed questions about her "background," their voices laced with condescension.

Then came the "charity auction."

"For a bit of fun," Chloe announced, her smile predatory, "we're auctioning off a dance with some of our... guests."

Her gaze fixed on Sarah. "And to start, the lovely Sarah Jenkins!"

Laughter rippled through the crowd. Sarah stood frozen, her face burning.

Ethan, looking bored, made a dismissive bid. "A dollar. Let's get this over with."

He won, of course. No one else bid.

He pulled her onto the makeshift dance floor, his grip bruising. He barely moved, just held her while the music played, his eyes scanning the room for Chloe.

Sarah endured it, her chin held high, a quiet dignity settling over her that seemed to annoy Chloe even more.

Suddenly, Chloe clapped her hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"And I have an announcement of my own!" she trilled, her eyes flashing towards Ethan.

She held up her left hand, a massive diamond sparkling on her finger.

"Julian Croft and I are engaged! We're getting married next month!"

She walked over to Ethan, a triumphant smirk on her face, and handed him a thick, cream-colored invitation.

"You'll come, won't you, Ethan? Bring... Sarah."

Ethan's face was a mask of fury. He snatched the invitation, his knuckles white.

The air crackled with unspoken history, with raw, possessive anger.

He grabbed Sarah's arm. "We're leaving."

His voice was tight, dangerous. Sarah knew the storm was about to break.