Chapter 2

I returned to the Morrison family home and started thinking about what to do next.

Not long ago, Lucas used the promise of marriage to shower me with affection, recording even more explicit videos.

Now, it was clear those were just ploys to keep me as his secret mistress.

I needed to find a way to delete those videos Lucas had if I wanted to leave.

With my mind made up, I began packing my things.

I grabbed a few boxes and stuffed them with everything Lucas had given me.

Over three years, his gifts piled up-matching pajamas, matching slippers, photos we took together. I hauled them out trip after trip.

I worked until late at night before collapsing into sleep, only to be woken the next morning by Laura's shrill voice. "Why? You and Derek are sworn enemies! Why are you making me marry him? I heard Derek's brutal and vicious, that he's ruined countless women!"

"The company's fighting for a massive project, and we're facing a huge funding gap. If you marry him, Derek's promised to cover fifty percent of the funds to secure it!" Lucas's voice was cold and unyielding. "It's settled. You're marrying Derek."

Lucas slammed the door, and soon the roar of his luxury car speeding away echoed outside.

I hadn't expected Derek to arrange a marriage deal with Lucas so quickly.

I stepped out of my room and found Laura throwing a tantrum in the living room.

I stood in front of her, lips curling into a determined smile, my gaze unwavering. "One billion, and I'll marry into the Walton family in your place."

Laura transferred the money to my account on the spot.

...

That evening, Lucas insisted on taking me to an auction. I changed and got into his car.

At the auction house, I spotted Braelynn, dressed in a perfectly tailored designer gown, chatting and laughing with a group of wealthy heirs.

Lucas's eyes shifted instantly. Though he stood by my side, his heart was clearly elsewhere.

He kept his arm around me as we sat in the main hall, while Braelynn boldly took the seat next to him.

Lucas fussed over me, asking if I was cold, feeding me fruit by hand, not sparing Braelynn a single glance.

But in the dim light, my peripheral vision caught their hands secretly entwined.

Soon, he excused himself to the restroom, and Braelynn followed.

I sat for a moment before getting up to follow them.

At the corner near the restroom, I saw Lucas pinning Braelynn against the wall, kissing her fiercely, with an unrestrained passion I'd never seen.

In our three years together, through countless intimate moments, I'd never witnessed such raw desire from him.

My heart twisted in agony, and it took all my strength to turn away.

Not long after, Lucas left first, answering a phone call.

Braelynn returned, her lips swollen, her eyes shimmering with emotion. "You know Lucas proposed to me, right? We're having a wedding in Las Vela, every detail designed to fulfill the dreams I once shared with him. He never forgot them."

I knew she wanted me to break down, to scream and cry, but I refused to give her the satisfaction.

I stared blankly at the auction stage ahead, spine straight, ignoring her taunts.

Braelynn frowned. "You don't seem surprised at all."

I forced a faint smile, my heart icy and desolate.

Surprised? How could I be when I'd heard it all with my own ears?

I once dreamed of a future with Lucas, and for a fleeting moment, his expression had faltered-probably thinking of Braelynn.

But now, I was completely done with him. Whatever he did, I no longer cared.

I looked up at Braelynn. "When's your wedding?"

"In two weeks."

I lowered my gaze. Two weeks to prepare my exit.

Braelynn's face darkened when she saw I wasn't rattled.

Just then, the auctioneer lifted the red cloth on a tray, revealing an emerald bracelet.

My breath caught.

It was the bracelet my grandmother left me.

When Lucas's company was struggling, I sold it to anonymously fund him.

I never thought I'd see it again, here of all places.

I raised my bidding paddle. "One hundred million!"

"Two hundred million," Braelynn countered, raising her paddle with a smug smile. "I like this bracelet too. Shall we compete fairly?"

My fingers dug into my palm. "Three hundred million!"

"Four hundred million!"

"Five hundred million!"

The price soared to one billion.

My account was nearly drained, but Braelynn remained calm, her eyes mocking. "Need to call Lucas for help, Miss Walton?"

The auctioneer politely asked if I'd raise my bid.

"Yes!" I lifted my paddle. "Two billion!"

Braelynn's face twisted with anger. She frantically messaged her father, but the Phillips family had been declining for years-where would they find that kind of money?

Just as I exhaled in relief, Lucas's secretary burst into the hall and shouted, "Bid unconditionally!

Every item Miss Braelynn Phillips desires today will be claimed by Mr. Morrison bidding unconditionally!"