Chapter 2
The final three days.
I drifted through them like a soulless spectator.
Jared rented out the city’s largest revolving restaurant to celebrate Siena’s return.
Her massive portraits flashed across the giant LED screens.
Reporters swarmed the place, headlines screaming, “Mr. Hurlow Spares No Expense for His Muse.”
I sat at home, quietly sorting through what was left of my life.
Clothes. Design sketches.
In the wedding photo on the wall, Jared had his arm around my waist, his smile genuine.
I reached up, took the frame down, and smashed it hard against the floor.
The glass shattered–just like our marriage had, long ago.
The wedding ring–supposedly the only one he’d ever given in his life.
I tossed it carelessly into the pile of broken glass.
Jared came home once, his clothes scented with another woman’s perfume.
He noticed the empty spaces in the closet and the bare walls, his brow furrowing.
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Chapter 2
“What are you doing now?”
His tone was impatient. “Siena just got back. There are a lot of events. I have to be with her–it’s for work, you should understand.”
He tossed a velvet box onto the coffee table.
“Limited edition Van Cleef & Arpels. To make it up to you.”
I opened the box. Inside was a diamond necklace worth a small fortune.
It was worlds apart from the cheap silver chain he once gave me in that basement the one he’d saved up for six months to buy, the one warmed by his hands.
“Thank you.‘
I closed the lid, my voice flat. “It’s beautiful.”
He seemed surprised by
This book had been added
on your bookshelf. for a few seconds.
Then his annoyance only deepened.
“As long as you like it.”
He loosened his tie, turned, and disappeared into the study. He never
came out.
48 hours left on the countdown.
The doorbell rang.
Standing outside was Siena.
She wore a couture dress from this season, her smile gentle, but her eyes glittered with triumph.
“Ms. Kirwell, aren’t you going to invite me in?”
Chapter 2
She let herself in without waiting for an answer.
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She looked around, taking in the home that once belonged to Jared and
- me.
Her gaze landed on the Van Cleef & Arpels box on the coffee table.
She laughed lightly. “Oh, Jay gave me the same one. He said it suits me better.”
She came closer. “Ms. Kirwell, I heard you helped Jay a lot in the past. That must have been tough. But now, I will take care of him.”
Her tone was cool, a declaration that she was the real mistress of this
house.
“Jay says the place is too big, too cold. Once I move in, we’ll redecorate, add some warmth.”
I watched her performand
This book had been added on your bookshelf.
- n.
“Oh, right,” she said, as if just remembering. She pulled an invitation from her purse.
“Tomorrow’s my engagement party–top floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, the one owned by the Hurlow Group.
“Jay insisted you be there to witness our happiness.”
She pressed the invitation into my hand. “Ms. Kirwell, you’ll come, won’t you?”
I took the glaring invitation, my voice even. “Sure.”
Satisfied, Siena smiled and swept out the door.
