Chapter 6

The day before the wedding.

I went to the wedding planning agency to finalize the rundown.

The moment I stepped out of the elevator, someone blocked my path.

Julian Rivers leaned against the hallway wall, a lit cigarette dangling between his fingers. Through the drifting haze of smoke, his face was as aloof and arrogant as ever.

"Shannon Vance, you really have the guts to go through with this."

He flicked an ash from his cigarette, looking at me like I was a complete idiot. "Do you honestly believe Austin Miller has turned over a new leaf?"

I stopped, staring at the man I had chased for seven agonizing years.

Once, I would have waited three hours in a blizzard just to catch a glimpse of him.

Now, looking at him, not even a single ripple stirred in my heart.

"What words of wisdom do you have for me, Julian?"

"Austin is playing you."

Julian sneered, stepping closer. "He's been competing with me for years. Marrying you is nothing more than his way of sticking it to me. Mark my words—the second the ceremony wraps, you're getting discarded."

He was right.

Pity he was too late.

"And your point is?"

I met his gaze, a teasing smirk playing on my lips. "Are you feeling sorry for me, Julian? Or are you just bitter you're losing me?"

Julian's expression twisted, as if he'd just heard the most ridiculous joke.

"Shannon Vance, don't flatter yourself. I just don't want to watch you be a brainless fool who comes crying to beg me for help later."

"Don't flatter yourself, either."

I brushed back a stray lock of hair stirred by the draft. "Even if it kills me, I will never beg you."

Julian's face darkened.

"Ungrateful."

I brushed past him and headed toward the elevator.

As our shoulders brushed past each other, I stopped in my tracks and turned my head toward him.

"Julian, make sure you take a seat in the front row at tomorrow's wedding."

I smiled, my voice soft. "After all, this show wouldn't be half as entertaining without you in the audience."

Julian stared at me, his brow tightly furrowed.

For the first time, a flicker of panic and unreadable emotion appeared in his eyes.

The elevator doors slid shut.

Cutting off his probing gaze.

My phone buzzed. It was a call from Austin Miller.

"Shannon, where are you? The wedding planner said there's a slight change in the schedule, so they need us over for a rehearsal."

I looked at the caller ID flashing on my screen.

A change?

He probably meant replacing the VCR montage of our sweet memories with something else.

"All right, I'm already downstairs."

I answered, keeping my tone gentle. "I'll be right up."