Chapter 1

Ethan had just sent me a Snapchat when the new intern handed me a wedding invitation.

"Working late tonight. Ordered takeout for you."

As I opened the envelope, I wondered which coworker was rich enough to use heavy gold foil.

But my heart stopped when I saw the names on the card.

*The wedding of Mr. Ethan Vance & Miss Tiffany Sterling.*

The venue was The Skyline Penthouse, the most expensive rooftop restaurant in the city.

Just last week, for my birthday, he told me that place was too gaudy and overpriced. He said we should just order takeout and watch Netflix at home instead.

I snapped a photo of the invitation and sent it to Ethan.

"So you're getting married. Why am I just finding out?"

He called back almost instantly.

"It's just someone with the same name, Chloe. Are you worried I’d get married behind your back?"

Ethan’s laugh sounded forced, laced with a nervous cheerfulness.

"Not at all."

I leaned back in my chair, matching his casual tone. "Just a friendly reminder. If you ever dare to get married without me, I'll walk down that aisle and list every single dollar you owe me in front of all your guests."

"Don't talk crazy," his voice dropped, turning serious. "You're the only one I'll ever marry. Once this partnership goes through, we'll get our marriage license. Don't overthink it, babe. Eat your dinner."

The moment I hung up, my smile vanished.

Sienna, the executive assistant, glanced at the invitation in my hand and whispered.

"Chloe, isn't that Tiffany? She was bragging last week about how amazing her boyfriend is. She said he bought her a luxury condo downtown, and she even mentioned she knew you."

My mind flashed through Tiffany’s three months at our company.

As an intern who dropped in out of nowhere, she never lacked designer bags or limited-edition jewelry.

During our last team dinner, she held up her phone to show everyone a matching couple’s bracelet.

"My boyfriend picked it. He said this simple style suits me best."

It was the exact same bracelet Ethan had bought me for his birthday last year. The one he later claimed he "accidentally lost."

Over the past six months, his "late-night meetings" had become more frequent. Every time I brought up marriage, he would brush it off, claiming the company was just starting up.

So, he was keeping a side piece.

With a cold smile, I called the Skyline Penthouse booking line.

After giving the receptionist Ethan’s name and phone number, she replied politely.

"Yes, Ms. Vance has booked the main hall for tomorrow afternoon for a wedding ceremony. Would you like to modify the reservation details?"

I froze for a few seconds before hanging up.

A sharp, piercing pain stabbed at my chest.

Ethan and I had been dating for three years and living together for five.

He had never paid a single cent of rent or utilities, racking up a total of $35,000 in unpaid bills.

He always said he was too busy with work. He promised that when we bought a house, he would put my name on the deed.

It was all a lie.

I took a pen and wrote on the back of the wedding invitation, stroke by stroke.

"Wedding Gift: $35,000 in unpaid rent and utilities owed by Ethan Vance. Please collect on his behalf, Tiffany."

Once done, I stood up and walked to the breakroom.

Tiffany was drinking coffee and chatting with a colleague, a sweet, smug smile plastered on her face.

I walked over and slammed the invitation onto the table in front of her.

"Tiffany, congratulations on your upcoming wedding."

"Please accept this wedding gift. After all, you're about to own half his debts anyway."

The smile on Tiffany's face froze. She looked at me, completely bewildered.

"Chloe, what is this supposed to mean?"

"Nothing much."

I looked her straight in the eyes. "Just letting you know that the man you're marrying, Ethan, is my boyfriend."

"Liar!"

Tiffany’s face flushed red, and tears welled up in her eyes. "Ethan said he knew you, but you're just casual acquaintances!"

"Casual acquaintances?"

I laughed, pulling up my phone to show her a photo of Ethan and me.

It was taken at the beach last summer. He had his arm wrapped tightly around my shoulder, smiling warmly.

I said slowly, "We've lived together for five years. When he started his company, I borrowed $50,000 from my Aunt Sarah to fund him. When his first venture failed, I co-signed his $800,000 business debt."

"Tiffany, do you really think 'casual acquaintances' do that?"

The surrounding colleagues immediately turned to stare, whispering.

Tiffany couldn't hold back her tears. She grabbed the invitation and ran out of the office, sobbing.

Less than ten minutes later, my phone rang. It was Ethan.

His voice was dripping with fury. "Chloe! What the hell did you say to Tiffany? She’s crying and threatening to call off the wedding! Our entire partnership with Sterling Group is about to blow up!"

I let out a soft laugh. "Ethan, instead of asking what I said to her, why don't you ask yourself if you're the one marrying her tomorrow?"