Chapter 3

I sent Lucas a message without hesitation. "Let's break up."

I pulled out a suitcase and started packing.

Less than thirty seconds later, his call came through.

The background was filled with lively chatter and the clink of glasses. "Elena, have you had enough of this tantrum? Over a little thing, a stupid bag, you're talking about breaking up? How childish are you? I'm warning you, my patience has limits."

Lucas's voice dripped with irritation.

He paused, as if certain I couldn't live without him, then spoke in a patronizing tone. "I'll give you three days to cool off and think clearly. Come back and beg for my forgiveness on your knees. Then, I might consider pretending nothing happened and staying with you."

I laughed, anger bubbling up.

How had I never noticed how narcissistic and arrogant Lucas was? "No need."

"Break up? Fine! You think I care about you? No looks, no wealth, nobody else would even glance at you! Plus, you're an unreasonable woman. Who could stand you? I, on the other hand, have people lining up around the globe for me!"

He roared, then hung up without waiting for my response.

A minute later, Claire sent a new message.

It was a recording.

The background noise was still chaotic, but Lucas's voice came through clearly, light with relief and dripping with malice. "Hey? Jay! Come out for drinks! Bring a crowd, it's on me! It's over! I finally dumped that jinx!"

The man on the other end cheered. "Bro, nicely done! Tomorrow, I'll introduce you to some new friends! Love is a trap. The sooner you're free, the happier you'll be."

"Absolutely! Tonight, we're popping ten-grand bottles of champagne to celebrate. Everyone's invited. No more pretending to be poor. It was so suffocating. It was all fake anyway, and I still had to coddle her, tiptoe around her. What a hassle. Golden bachelor Lucas is back! Freedom's the best!"

The last shred of warmth I held for him vanished.

Whatever sliver of genuine affection I thought we had was just part of a bet.

I was the laughable wager.

I deleted every trace of Lucas from my contacts and dialed another number. "Jefferson, send a car to pick me up."

Half an hour later, a black Bentley pulled up to the apartment building.

I dragged a small suitcase behind me, packed with just a few daily essentials.

This place, where I'd pretended to live as "home" for two years, held no pull on me.

The car glided out of the city, entering the heavily guarded hillside district.

It stopped in front of a sprawling estate.

A white-haired butler in a tuxedo, Jefferson, waited at the entrance.

He opened the car door and bowed respectfully. "Miss, welcome home."

I stepped into the familiar, opulent hall.

Crystal chandeliers cast light across the space.

I slipped off the three-dollar flats I'd worn and felt the cool, smooth marble floor under my bare feet. "Jefferson, arrange an auction. Send invitations to everyone, especially the companies we've recently partnered with. The item is a chance to become my husband."

Jefferson nodded and returned the next day with a list of participants.

I flipped through the list, feeling bored.

Picking through them was like choosing the shiniest trinket from a pile of similar goods.

Utterly dull.

"Since so many want to marry me, let them fight for it." I smiled at Jefferson. "Jefferson, make it good. Don't let me down."