Chapter 4

My fingers trembled uncontrollably, and my phone slipped, clattering to the floor.

The car crash was his doing.

Grief, betrayal, and confusion twisted together, making my chest ache with a sour, throbbing pain.

I couldn't fathom what Lucas wanted.

During the crash, he had steered toward the passenger side, where I sat. I should've been the one hurt. Yet, at the last second, he shielded me.

If I was just a mistress to toy with, my misery should've delighted him.

Why he saved me and broke his own rib?

I hoped he meant it when he said he felt nothing for me.

Because if he ever thought of me in the future, it would tear him apart.

For the next three days, Lucas clung to me.

Despite his own injuries, he stayed by my side, never leaving.

He acted playful, fed me meals, even told me bedtime stories.

His friends teased that he was head over heels, unable to live without me.

But I found it laughable. His tenderness, his care-it was all a ruse to keep me as his plaything.

On the day I left the hospital, Lucas was swamped with work and told me to wait for him to pick me up.

While scrolling on my phone, I saw Braelynn's post on social media, showing off her wedding dress fitting, a sparkling diamond ring on her finger.

I scoffed, gave her post a like, grabbed my luggage, and walked out of the hospital.

The autumn breeze felt chilly. I wondered what my parents and Derek were doing. If they knew their cherished princess had been treated this way, their hearts would break.

Derek, who always doted on me, would probably storm Sterling City if he knew.

Seven days left until I married Derek.

...

When Lucas called, I was already back at the villa.

Thinking I was still upset, he splurged on jewelry and designer clothes, sending them to the house in heaps.

The home I'd emptied of his gifts was filled again.

But my heart was ice-cold. No matter what he did, I felt nothing.

Lucas grew more cautious around me, his voice hoarse. "Baby, I messed up. I didn't know they treated you like that. I've punished them. Please, just smile for me."

My face stayed blank, my gaze as cold as frost.

He crouched before me, looking up, his voice catching. "What do I have to do to get you back to how things were? I'll do anything."

I looked down into his eyes, my voice barely a whisper. "What's the password to your phone?"

He froze, then smiled. "300729-the day we got together. All my passwords are that day because that's when I got the most precious thing in my life."

My heart jolted painfully. "Lucas, do you love me?"

He took my hand, kissing my palm. "Of course I love you."

But I no longer believed a single word he said.

My eyes stung, but I forced a slow smile.

Lucas exhaled in relief, pulling me into a hug. "Baby, seven days from now is the Morrison-Walton alliance. I need to take Laura to Ashton City. Stay home and wait for me, okay?"

I looked up at him. "Can't I come? It's been a while since I've been to Ashton City."

He was silent for a long moment before answering. "The Morrison-Walton alliance will keep me swamped. I won't have time for my baby. Stay home, and when I'm back, we'll get married."

I smiled, my eyes like ice. "Fine."

While Lucas busied himself with the alliance preparations, I started packing my bags.

The first day, Braelynn posted on social media about the new house Lucas prepared for her-a sprawling, opulent villa, every detail lavish. Their bedroom had a massive wedding portrait above the bed.

I packed up all the expensive jewelry Lucas gave me, sold it to an auction house, and donated the money to a shelter for homeless children.

The second day, Braelynn shared a photo of the Morrisons and Phillips dining together. Lucas sat beside her, patiently peeling shrimp for her, his fingers wearing a matching wedding band.

I burned every photo I had with Lucas from the past three years.

The third day, Braelynn posted their marriage certificate, thanking Lucas for waiting for her, their youthful love finally fulfilled.

I hired workers to rip out every rose in the villa's back garden-the ones Lucas had planted for me when we first got together.

The fourth day, Braelynn didn't post online. Instead, she sent me a video of her and Lucas entangled together, along with a message.

"You've been liking my posts, so you must know Lucas and I are married. I'm the rightful Mrs. Morrison, and you're just a shameful mistress! Why don't you just die"

I dug out the diaries I'd kept over the years, starting from the day we met until two weeks ago. Every stroke, every word was filled with my love for Lucas. Some pages had yellowed with time, but the writing remained clear.

I ran my fingers over the words, then tossed the diaries into a fire basin without hesitation.

The flames surged, consuming the pages, as if burning away the naive girl I used to be.