###Chapter 6
6
Colin paused at the door. “What did you throw away?”
I didn’t even look at him.
“Just some garbage I should’ve gotten rid of long ago.”
He didn’t seem to care. As if suddenly remembering something, he added casually, “I heard Piper accidentally damaged the wedding dress. But don’t worry. I’ve asked the designer to rush a new one. It’ll be ready in time for the ceremony.”
He slung his jacket over one shoulder.
“Remember, tomorrow night’s the gala at my house. Don’t be late. I’ve got work, so I’m not coming home tonight.”
He grabbed his keys and left. Not once did he glance at the overflowing trash bin behind me- filled with everything he’d ever given me.
The next night, 8:00 PM.
I arrived at the Marks Family’s hotel alone.
The moment I stepped into the garden, I saw them.
Colin and Piper.
Dressed in matching custom couture, bathed in warm lawn lights like royalty.
Mrs. Marks’s face twisted the moment she saw me.
Her smile dropped like a cracked mask.
She wore the Bulgari necklace Piper had gifted her and her eyes ran over me with undisguised
disdain.
‘You’re an hour late. No surprise. No manners at all-just like your mother the thief.”
But Colin told me the banquet started at eight.
clenched my fists.
A long time ago, I’d mentioned in passing that Piper’s mother had been a mistress. The next day. Mrs. Marks’s missing jewelry “miraculously” appeared under my mother’s pillow.
Colin knew my mother hadbeen framed.
He never defended me. Not once.
But now-I didn’t grovel. I looked straight into Mrs. Marks’s eyes, then right at Piper’s smug little face.
‘I’m not here to be insulted,” I said coldly. Then I looked Piper dead in the eye. “My mother was not a thief. She didn’t raise me to seduce men like some women raise their daughters.”
The words had barely left my mouth when a vicious slap exploded across my cheek.
My ears rang. My body hit the ground hard.
The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.
Colin stood over me, expression cold and condescending.
“You spread rumors about her! Don’t you know it makes her suffer? How long are you gonna keep this going? Do you want her to kill herself?”
I pushed myself up, my face burning with rage.
“She suffered? She?!” I barked out a laugh, bitter and broken. “She suffered from her own stupid choices! And you-you know exactly what she did. My mother is dead! I lost everything and you’re just going to stand there and let her play the victim?!”
The whispers started-quiet at first, like a ripple, then louder as the crowd leaned in.
Colin’s jaw clenched tight.
“Leave,” he growled under his breath. “Go calm yourself down. You’ve embarrassed yoursel enough in front of the guests.”
The garden buzzed with elite chatter.
Mr. and Mrs. Marks quickly stepped in with flutes of champagne, smiling stiffly.
‘Let’s not ruin the evening. Come, everyone-drink up!”
Guests swarmed Colin and Piper with congratulations.
‘Cheers to the happy couple!”
‘Congratulations to the future Mr. and Mrs. Marks-such a perfect match!”
Colin had always said he wanted our relationship to be a “surprise.”
He never told a soul about us.
And now?
He smiled like a gentleman, standing next to Piper like she’d always been the bride. He didn’t even try to explain.
She clung to his arm like she belonged there.
Under the glittering lights, they looked like a picture-perfect couple.
While I stood there like a wet stain on a white rug.
I let out a breathless, bitter laugh and turned to go, but a hand blocked my way.
Piper.
She smiled like she’d already won.
‘Leaving so soon?” she cooed. But I haven’t told you how that old woman died.”
My heart stopped.
“What did you just say?”
She leaned in close, her voice low enough that only I could hear.
“I told her if she wanted the money back, she’d have to film herself doing something… special.
You know, the kind men pay for.” She grinned. “But she got all high and mighty. She refused and
even had the nerve to insult me and my mom.”
A twisted laugh.
“So I gave her what she deserved.”
She sighed dramatically.
“Did you know? She barely made it through fifty men before she collapsed. Still had the nerve to clutch my leg and beg-beg-me to return the money to her ‘sweet daughter.””
She made a clicking sound with her tongue.
“Pathetic, really.”
7
