Chapter 2

With nowhere else to go, I ended up returning to the family estate, still wearing my wedding dress.

I locked myself in my room, tears streaming down my face.

But once the sadness faded, a burning resentment took over. I would make both Ethan and Scarlett pay for this.

Suddenly, my bedroom door clicked open. The maid walked in and looked at me blankly. "Victoria wants you out of here. Pack your things and leave immediately."

Victoria was Scarlett's mother—my stepmother.

I stood up, trembling with disbelief. "Her daughter stole my husband, and now she wants to steal my home? I’m not leaving! I want to see Richard!"

But life was about to kick me while I was down. The maid sneered, "Are you seriously still that naive? Your father disowned you hours ago. Now get out before I call security!"

Looking at her cold face, I realized she wasn't lying. Richard had truly abandoned me.

Grit my teeth, I grabbed my phone and my wallet, and walked out of the house.

As soon as I stepped outside the gates of the estate, the sky opened up. A heavy downpour began. I ran frantically and huddled under the awning of a boutique down the street.

I hugged my knees and sobbed. "Damn you, Scarlett... Damn you, Victoria... Damn you, Ethan..."

I cried until my voice went hoarse. Suddenly, the rain on my head stopped.

I looked up blankly, only to realize it hadn't stopped raining. Someone was holding a black umbrella over me.

A tall, handsome man stood before me. He looked down, his sharp, striking face completely expressionless. "Chloe? What are you doing crouching here?"

It took me a few seconds to recognize him. He was my high school classmate, Christian.

We hadn't spoken since graduation, and I knew nothing about his life now.

Embarrassed, I clutched the damp fabric of my wedding dress. "My family kicked me out. I have nowhere to go."

Christian didn't even look surprised. He simply extended his hand to me.

I didn't know where he was taking me, but as if possessed, I reached out and took his hand. He led me gently into the passenger seat of his luxury SUV.

To my surprise, Christian drove me straight to his penthouse.

"I live alone. There are plenty of guest rooms. You can stay here for now."

Christian showed me to a spacious guest room. I looked down at my ruined wedding dress, feeling incredibly awkward. I didn't have any change of clothes.

"I already had my assistant buy some things. They’re in the closet. Check if they fit."

I opened the closet door. It was packed with brand-new designer clothes, premium skincare products, and high-end makeup. Everything was top-tier and incredibly expensive.

Overwhelmed, I turned to look at Christian, hesitating.

"You don't need to be polite with me," he said softly.

With that, he turned and went into his study. I figured he had work to do, so I didn't bother him.

And just like that, I moved into Christian's penthouse. I planned to stay until I could find a job and rent my own place.

A week later, I received an invitation to a post-grad college alumni mixer on Snapchat.

I had been cooped up inside for days, so I figured going out would help clear my mind. I decided to go.

The moment I stepped into the VIP lounge at the restaurant, the atmosphere shifted. People looked at me with curiosity, amusement, and outright mockery.

I instantly knew something was wrong.

Then, Scarlett's voice rang out, dripping with fake sweetness. "Chloe, you're finally here! I've been waiting for you forever."