Chapter 2

2: 2

The next day, I took a cab downtown by myself to the bridal shop.

The wedding had been set for the following month. Since there was no longer any reason to hold it, the gown obviously had to go back too.

The moment I stepped inside, I heard a familiar voice coming from the VIP fitting room.

I followed the sound and found the door left ajar.

Through the gap, I saw Lucy standing in front of the full-length mirror, wearing my main gown.

That gown had taken me half a year to settle on.

From the curve of the neckline to every last tiny crystal along the hem, all of it was something the designer and I had gone over again and again.

The day I went in for the fitting, Russ had a last-minute meeting and didn't come.

Afterward I sent him the photos, and three hours later he replied with a single "Nice."

Yet now he was standing right behind Lucy, patiently adjusting the sheer fabric at her waist.

Lucy turned, looked at herself in the mirror, and laughed.

"Russ, the waist is a little tight."

"Then again, Olivia never works out, she's kind of shapeless, so this probably wouldn't fill out on her anyway."

Russ studied her reflection and actually nodded, in all seriousness.

"True. It really does look better with your figure."

"We'll have the size taken in, and you can wear it to the dinner next week."

I pushed the door open.

It banged against the wall, and both of them turned at the same time.

Russ let go fast, took half a step back, and started explaining.

"I was worried you were still upset over last night and wouldn't come try it on, so I had Lucy check the fit for you first."

I looked at that gown on Lucy's body, and my stomach turned.

"No need to try anything on."

"I don't want this gown anymore. Return it."

The smile on Lucy's face dimmed a little.

She gathered up the skirt and came toward me. "Olivia, don't be angry, I'll take it off right now—"

When she reached me, Lucy suddenly seized my wrist, let herself fall backward using my arm for leverage, and at the same time shoved me hard toward the full-length mirror behind me.

"Olivia, why did you push me?"

Caught completely off guard, I staggered back a couple of steps.

My back slammed into the mirror, and the glass shattered with a sharp crack.

Cracks spread out fast, and a jagged shard sliced straight into my calf.

Blood ran down my skin and dripped, one drop after another, onto the snow-white carpet.

Russ rushed over instantly.

Only to pull Lucy in and shield her against him.

"Lucy, are you hurt?"

He checked her over, and once he confirmed she was fine, he turned to look at me where I sat on the floor.

His eyes swept across my bleeding calf, and his brows drew tight.

"Olivia Henson, what the hell is wrong with you?"

"Lucy was kind enough to help you try on the gown, and you shove her?"

He stood in front of Lucy, and from start to finish he never once reached out a hand to me.

The pain in my leg slowly gave way to numbness.

I braced against the wall, avoiding the glass scattered across the floor, and steadied myself back onto my feet.

"There are cameras in this shop. If you want to know who pushed who, go check them yourself."

Russ's expression stalled for a moment.

Lucy clutched at his sleeve and said softly, "Let it go. It was all my fault."

I didn't stay to hear the rest. I turned and walked out.

I had barely made it out the door when a dragging pain hit my abdomen.

The cut on my leg was still bleeding. I forced myself a few more steps, and then everything in front of me started going white.

As my body lost its balance, someone caught me in time.

"Careful, Ms. Henson."

I looked up and recognized him: Quinn James, of James Group.

He handed me a handkerchief and turned to instruct the assistant behind him, "The nearest hospital."

When he looked back at me, his voice was certain.

"If Delgado Group isn't worth any more of your effort, James Group would welcome you anytime, the real force behind the scenes."

The pain left me cold all over, yet my mind was strangely clear.

I took the handkerchief and closed my fist around it.

"All right. I'll start tomorrow."