Chapter 1

The night before my wedding, Lily called my mother a mistress—and said I was no better.

The man I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with just stood there and told me it was only a joke.

Everyone thinks a bride should cry when her fiancé betrays her.

They don't know me.

I have never been the kind of woman who swallows humiliation and pretends everything is fine.

When someone throws dirt at me, I throw it back harder.

-

When I was eight, a neighbor accused me of stealing from her house.

I didn't argue.

I climbed onto her roof that night and tore it apart.

Years later, when a coworker spread rumors that I got my promotion by sleeping with my boss, I didn't explain myself.

I simply released the security footage proving she was the one having an affair with him.

After that, everyone learned one thing about Chloe Grant.

Don't provoke me.

People call me ruthless or crazy.

A woman who always makes people pay.

I don't deny it.

Because in this world, kindness without power is just an invitation to be hurt.

That's why I never thought my fiancé's longtime female friend would be bold enough to challenge me.

Especially not the night before my wedding.

The party is supposed to celebrate my marriage to Ethan Carter.

The union between two billionaire families.

Everyone here is dressed perfectly.

Everyone is smiling.

Everyone is pretending this wedding will be a happy ending.

Until Lily Hayes speaks up.

She is sitting beside Ethan, leaning against his shoulder like she belongs there.

She looks at me with a sweet smile.

The kind of smile that hides a knife.

“Chloe, I heard something interesting about your family.”

The room slowly becomes quiet.

I know exactly she wants attention.

So I let her continue.

“I heard your mother was someone's mistress before she married your father.”

A few people laugh.

Lily covers her mouth as if the words just slipped out.

“Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.”

Her eyes are full of fake guilt.

“But I also heard you weren't exactly innocent either.”

“Some people say you only got close to Ethan because your last rich boyfriend abandoned you.”

The room explodes with laughter.

Ethan's friends look at me, waiting for my reaction.

Waiting to see me break.

I slowly look at Ethan.

My fiancé.

The man who is supposed to stand beside me.

But he doesn't move.

He just watches.

Like this is entertainment.

I smile.

Then I pick up a bottle of wine on the table.

Before anyone can react, I smash it against the edge of the table.

The room goes silent.

I hold the broken bottle near Lily's lips.

Her smile disappears.

“Ethan.”

My voice is calm.

“Your friend has a lot to say.”

I look at him.

“If I got rid of one annoying person in your life, would you really miss her?”

Ethan's face darkens instantly.

“Chloe, what the hell are you doing?”

He stands up and grabs my wrist.

“Are you crazy?”

I look at him.

“Crazy?”

He pushes my hand away.

“Lily was joking.”

“You're getting angry over a joke?”

His friends immediately join in.

“Exactly.”

“Ethan is marrying you. Do you know how lucky you are?”

“Lily has been like family to us since we were kids.”

“She just made a harmless joke. You don't have to threaten her.”

I almost laugh.

A harmless joke?

Someone insults my mother.

Attacks my reputation.

Then hides behind the word “joke.”

That is the oldest trick in the world.

I pick up a piece of broken glass from the floor.

Slowly, I roll it between my fingers.

“I'm sorry.”

Everyone looks surprised.

I smile.

“I've never been good at understanding jokes.”

“So when someone jokes about me…”

I look directly at Lily.

“I make them the joke.”

Lily's expression changes.

I continue.

“For example…”

“If someone says my mother was a mistress…”

“Then maybe I should wonder if her mother was the real mistress.”

The room freezes.

Lily's face turns pale.

“And maybe…”

“Maybe her mother was the one who had to stay hidden.”

Her body stiffens.

Tears immediately fill her eyes.

“Ethan…”

She looks at him.

“I didn't mean to hurt her.”

Ethan instantly turns toward me.

“Apologize.”

I arch an eyebrow.

“What?”

“Apologize to Lily.”

His voice is cold.

“You crossed the line.”

I stare at him.

The man I am supposed to marry tomorrow.

And suddenly, everything feels ridiculous.

Because Ethan Carter is not defending his future wife.

He is protecting another woman.

I slowly smile.

“Fine.”

Everyone relaxes.

They think I gave in.

But they don't know me.

I never forgive.

I only wait.

I put the glass down.

“You're right.”

“I shouldn't get angry over such a small thing.”

Ethan's expression softens.

Then I smile.

“But if we're playing games…”

“I'm very good at games.”

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