Chapter 2

As I stumbled out of the Thorne mansion, my assistant, Chloe, called.

“Aurora, the ballet company informed me that my reputation made me unsuitable for the lead role in Swan Lake. They even sent a termination letter…”

“All my endorsements are bailing, and they’re suing me for damages!”

“Please, Aurora, go beg Mr. Thorne! Everyone saw how desperately he loved you for three years. He’d never let you endure such humiliation!”

Hearing Chloe’s choked voice, my heart felt like it was being torn apart.

But even if I opened my mouth, I couldn't bring myself to say it. The man who orchestrated my ruin, who sent me spiraling to rock bottom, was Damian himself.

The sweeter our past moments, the crueler my reality now.

His so-called love at first sight? A lie.

His undying love? A lie too.

His three years of passionate pursuit, his countless extravagant gestures, his endless nights by my side – it was all just an elaborate trap meant for me.

Once he’d taken my virginity and helped his beloved deal me the ultimate blow, I became useless trash, tossed aside without a second thought.

Only last night, he’d held me so tenderly, his whispers of love echoing in my ears, kissing my forehead again and again.

“Aurora, you are the woman I, Damian Thorne, love most in this life. I want you to stay by my side forever.”

“After tonight, I’ll go back and reject the arranged marriage my family had planned for me. I’ll tell them you’re the woman I’m going to marry.”

“I’ll throw you a lavish wedding of the century that everyone will envy, and make you my cherished Mrs. Thorne, okay?”

I was so moved, I almost told him that I was the sole heiress of the powerful Reed Corporation, whom his family had desperately tried to arrange a marriage with. I’d only kept it a secret to pursue my dream of becoming a dancer.

I truly believed that when he returned to his family and discovered this, he’d be even more thrilled, convinced we were a match made in heaven.

But instead, it became the most exquisite irony against myself.

Fated love? Just a cruel performance.

From the very beginning, it was a complete sham. Damian never loved me, so how could he ever betray me?

I hung up the phone, lost in thought, and tripped in a puddle, falling hard.

Seeing me sprawled on the pavement, covered in mud, everyone around me burst into scornful laughter.

“Isn’t that the high and mighty Aurora Reed, the prima ballerina? Looks like Mr. Thorne was done with her, and now she can’t even walk straight!”

One of the rich guys I’d turned down, Blake Morrison, leered at me, his eyes slithering over my body like a snake.

“Since Mr. Thorne doesn’t want you, why not consider me?”

“My fortune isn’t as grand as his, but I can certainly afford a few cheap thrills like you!”

As they humiliated me, Damian stood behind them, arm wrapped around Scarlett, whispering intimately to her, not lifting a finger to defend me.

Seeing that, any last shred of affection I had for him evaporated.

But just as I struggled to my feet, preparing to leave, a saccharine voice suddenly chimed in from behind me.

“Damian, I lost one of the diamond earrings you gave me. Aurora was the only one near us earlier…”