Chapter 3
The final 24 hours of the countdown.
Jared came home, his face dark and stormy. “Siena was here, wasn’t she?”
There was a note of accusation in his voice.
“Yeah.”
“She invited you to the engagement party?”
He scrutinized me, his gaze sharp as a blade.
“Yeah.”
I didn’t look up, just kept packing my things.
book been added on your bookshelf.
‘Amelia.”
His tone was cold and sharp.
“Tomorrow’s event is important. I don’t want you showing up and causing a scene, making Siena uncomfortable.”
“Uncomfortable?”
I finally looked up at him, letting out a bitter laugh. “Jared, do you really think I’m not humiliated enough already?”
His eyes flickered, but impatience quickly took over. “Let the past stay in the past. Siena and I are serious.
“If you just behave, you’ll keep your place as Mrs. Hurlow. You’ll get everything you deserve.”
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Chapter 3
“My place as Mrs. Hurlow?”
I scoffed.
“What is that, exactly? An empty title? A prop? Just a backdrop to showcase your true love with Siena? Jared, what am I to you?!”
288 Vouchers
“Amelia!” he snapped, voice low and harsh. “Don’t be ungrateful! I can give you a life of luxury, a status everyone envies–what more do you
want?
“Siena… she’s different. She understands me. She needs me.”
“She needs you?”
I stared at him, my face expressionless.
“Jared, when you had nothing, when you were beaten down and abandoned, who stood by you? Who needed you then?
“It was me!
“And where was Siena? When you hit rock bottom, she turned her back and ran straight into someone else’s arms!
“And now that you’ve made it, now she’s back, and suddenly she understands you? Suddenly she needs you?!”
“Shut up!”
He raised his hand, then slammed it down on the cabinet beside him, the crash echoing through the room.
His chest heaved, his face thunderous.
“Don’t you dare insult Siena! She had her reasons back then–you wouldn’t understand! All you ever do is nitpick, acting like some bitter shrew!”
Chapter 3
“Fine, I don’t understand.”
The last bit of warmth in my chest vanished for good.
I nodded, refusing to look at him again.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be there. After all, as Mrs. Hurlow, I have to keep up appearances, don’t I?”
288 Vouchers
He eyed me suspiciously, then let out a cold snort and slammed the door on his way out.
