Chapter 3

The party ended.

I was heading for the car when Julian caught up to me.

"Vivienne."

He stepped in front of me, blocking the door.

"Are you upset about today?"

He had the nerve to look guilty. Like he was a good man who'd done a hard thing.

"You and I grew up together. Our families wanted us to end up together. I always thought I'd marry you too." He paused.

"But then I met Selene."

"The moment I saw her, I knew. Everything I felt before — for you, for anyone — that wasn't love. She's the one, Vivienne. She's the one I'm supposed to be with."

He said it like a confession. Like I should be moved.

All I felt was cold.

Because I'd heard this speech before. In another life. Right before years of empty rooms and slow death.

I buried the chill crawling up my spine and stepped back.

"Julian, I don't know what you're talking about. My parents never discussed a match with the Cranes. And actually — my family's already working out a deal for me. The engagement will be announced soon."

I kept my voice light.

"If I ever gave you the wrong impression, I apologize."

Julian didn't even blink. Like he hadn't heard a word.

"Vivienne, don't be stupid. You're an Ashworth — you know what that's worth. I'll marry Selene. She'll have the title. But I'll set you up too."

He took a step closer.

"Your own place. Your own account. A ring on your finger. You'll run the household — Selene wouldn't know where to start. Everyone will still call you Mrs. Crane. No one will disrespect you."

"The three of us — we can make this work."

He reached for my hand.

I pulled back. Hard.

"Watch yourself, Julian."

My voice came out sharp enough to make him flinch.

"I have an engagement coming. You and I are done. Keep your distance."

Julian sighed like I was being difficult.

"I know you're embarrassed about what happened today. I'll stop by your house and apologize in person. I'll make it right."

He tilted his head, almost amused.

"Vivienne — you know how this world works. Every man in the Five Families has a wife and a mistress. That's just how it is."

"Even an Ashworth woman can't expect her husband to have no one else."

"I know today wasn't ideal. But the deal I'm offering you? It's more than fair. The wedding, the terms — I'll match everything Selene gets. Dollar for dollar."

I didn't answer. I turned and got in the car.

He followed. He was still talking when my mother came out of the house.

She saw Julian standing by our car and her face turned to stone.

"Julian. You have a fiancee now. It's not appropriate for you to be seen with my daughter. Your reputation is your business — but Vivienne's? I won't let anyone put a scratch on it."

Julian straightened up. He always behaved around my mother.

"Mrs. Ashworth, I just wanted to talk to Vivienne. Today was my fault."

He lowered his voice.

"When I work out the terms, I'll make sure Vivienne is taken care of. A proper wedding. The full thing — cathedral, reception, the whole nine yards."

My mother stared at him.

"An Ashworth woman does not share a husband. Not as a wife. Not as a mistress. Not as anything."

Julian opened his mouth.

"Drive," my mother told the chauffeur.

The car pulled away. Julian shrank in the rearview mirror.

I didn't understand what he was doing.

In our past life, he'd been so obsessed with Selene that I was invisible to him.

This time, he was just as obsessed — so why was he clinging to me?

It didn't matter. His engagement to Selene was all over New York within days.

The Archers couldn't contain themselves.

Mrs. Archer threw party after party, telling anyone who'd listen that her daughter was marrying into the Crane family.

Victoria was disgusted.

Her son had lost his mind over an illegitimate girl from a nobody family, and now the whole city knew. Every time she saw another Five Families wedding announcement, she wanted to scream.

When it came time to discuss the terms of the marriage, Victoria barely put anything on the table.

Her assistant asked if it wasn't enough.

Victoria smiled coldly.

"If we offer too much, it'll look like we're buying the girl. And what would the Archers put up in return? A walk-up in Queens and a used Honda?"

She waved her hand.

"The terms should match what her family can bring to the table. Anything more would just embarrass them."