Chapter 2

When Aliana walked back into the Crawford mansion, the head housekeeper, Martha, looked at her with pity.

"Miss Aliana, you're back..." Martha started, her voice trailing off.

"It's fine, Martha. I'm used to it," Aliana said, her voice flat. She had no energy left for disappointment.

She walked towards the living room and stopped in the doorway. The scene inside was like a perfect family portrait, one she was never a part of.

Damien was on the sofa, and Hadley was curled up next to him, her head on his shoulder. His mother, Cecil Porter, sat opposite them, beaming with approval. It was a picture of domestic bliss, and Aliana found it grotesquely ironic.

Hadley saw her first and gasped, jumping up as if she' d been caught doing something wrong.

"Aliana! You're back! Damien was so worried," Hadley said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "My car broke down, and he had to come and get me. I'm so sorry."

Cecil sniffed disdainfully. "Some people just don't know their place. Damien, you shouldn't have to apologize to a servant."

Cecil then opened a velvet box. Inside was a beautiful emerald bracelet. It was a Crawford family heirloom, passed down through generations.

"Hadley, my dear," Cecil said, her voice syrupy. "This belongs to the future Mrs. Crawford. I want you to have it."

"Mrs. Porter, I can't," Hadley said, feigning modesty, but her eyes were glued to the glittering gems.

Damien looked uncomfortable. "Mom, Aliana and I were supposed to..."

"Supposed to what?" Cecil cut him off. "Hadley is the only one worthy of being your wife. Look at her, so elegant. And look at... her." She gestured dismissively at Aliana.

Hadley, ever the actress, glanced at Aliana. "Oh, Aliana, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have called Damien. You must be so upset."

Aliana walked forward, her expression unreadable. She stopped in front of Hadley and took the bracelet from Cecil's hand.

"It's beautiful," Aliana said, her voice calm. She took Hadley's delicate, manicured hand and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. "It suits you."

Hadley' s skin was soft and smooth. Aliana looked down at her own hands, at the callouses and small scars from years of physical therapy and housework. The contrast was stark.

"There," Aliana said, stepping back. "It looks perfect."

She turned to leave.

"Aliana, wait!" Damien called out, finally realizing what day it was. "The marriage license..."

He followed her out into the hallway, grabbing her arm. "I was going to come. Hadley's car really did break down."

"I know," Aliana said, not looking at him.

"Then why are you acting like this?" he demanded, his voice rising in frustration. "It's just a piece of paper. We can get it any time."

"You should get back to your mother," Aliana said, her tone icy. "And to Miss Stuart."

She had always called his mother 'Mrs. Crawford'. The sudden formality of 'your mother' was not lost on him. It was a line being drawn.

"What is wrong with you?" he snapped, his grip tightening. "Are you throwing a tantrum because I was late? After everything I've done for you, letting you stay here..."

"Everything you've done for me?" Aliana interrupted, her voice dangerously low. She finally turned to face him, and her eyes were like chips of ice. "Or is it after everything I've done for you?"

He looked taken aback by her tone. "Don't you dare try to guilt me with that. I owe you, I know that. But that doesn't mean you own me!"

The accusation, so baseless and cruel after five years of her selfless devotion, was the final blow. A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

She reached into her purse and pulled out the torn pieces of the marriage license application. She held them up in front of his face.

"You're right," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "You don't owe me anything."

She let the pieces flutter from her fingers, scattering at his feet like dead leaves.

"And I don't want anything from you anymore."

His face darkened with rage. "You think this little drama will change anything? You think throwing a fit will make me want you more?"

He grabbed her, pulling her close. "You want to be Mrs. Crawford? Fine. But don't you ever pull a stunt like this again. I'm the one who decides when and if we get married. Not you."

He still thought he was in control. He still thought she was the same weak girl who would do anything for him.

"Take your hands off me, Damien," she said, her voice devoid of all emotion.

"What did you say?" he growled, his pride wounded.

"I said, take your hands off me," she repeated, looking him straight in the eye. "And go take care of Hadley. She looked so frightened when I came in. You should comfort her."

He was so stunned by her coldness that his grip loosened. He felt a strange unease, a flicker of something he couldn't name, but he pushed it down.

She was just being dramatic. She'd get over it. She always did.

"Fine," he said, letting her go. "Stay in your room and cool off. I'll call you when I'm ready to deal with you."

He turned and walked back to the living room, back to Hadley, not giving Aliana a second glance.

Aliana watched him go. A bitter smile touched her lips.

Call me? she thought. You won't have my number for much longer.

The game was over. And she had finally decided to stop playing.