Chapter 3

"Rachel, you're just too sweet. You always blame yourself for other people's mistakes."

"I just grew up with Julian. I can't stand by and watch him be forced into something he doesn't want," Rachel said, batting her innocent, wide eyes.

I couldn't even count how many times she had pulled this stunt between Julian and me.

Every single time, she played the supportive, selfless angel, painting me as the unreasonable, crazy girlfriend.

"The venue was chosen by my fiancé," I said calmly. "And as far as I know, that hotel belongs to the Vance family estate, not to you personally, Julian."

"Fiona, stop making excuses!" Julian snapped. "If you really have a fiancé, call him over right now. Let me see him."

"As your official boyfriend, I'd love to see how bold this side piece really is."

I clenched my jaw. "You're not my boyfriend anymore."

"What did you say?"

I dug my nails into my palms and enunciated every single word. "I said, we're over. You are not my boyfriend."

Julian stormed over, gripping my wrist with bruising force.

"Fiona, say that again."

"I said, we are broken up!"

Julian shoved my hand away with a cold, mocking laugh. "Fiona, you're the first person who’s ever had the guts to dump me."

"Do you have any idea what happens to people who cross me? You can't afford the consequences!"

"I heard you moved your parents into the city recently. How about this? Kneel down in front of everyone here, apologize, take back what you just said, and I'll pretend nothing happened. You can stay by my side as my little pet. How does that sound?"

"Hurry up! What are you waiting for? Julian never gives second chances!"

His friends joined in, laughing and egging him on. "Fiona, you really don't know how lucky you are. If I were you, I’d be on my knees begging for Julian’s mercy already. What are you hesitating for? Once Julian loses his temper, you're finished!"

"In this city, where else are you going to find a billionaire heir who treats you this well?"

They cheered and mocked me, while Rachel stood by, her face turning pale and uneasy.

"What? Too scared to make the call? Realized your fake fiancé doesn't exist?"

I lowered my eyes. Their cruel words hit me like a bucket of ice water, chilling me to the bone.

My fiancé was waiting for me at City Hall to sign the marriage license. Calling him over here just to prove to my toxic ex that we were getting married would be utterly absurd.

Besides, we barely knew each other.

Everything I knew about him came from my mother's brief descriptions.

He was supposedly a top corporate executive, insanely busy, his schedule booked down to the second.

I had zero confidence that a man like that would drop everything just for a random phone call.

I stood frozen, trapped in an impossible corner.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?"

Julian's smirk grew wider, convinced that my marriage was a lie and that I had no one.

He snapped his fingers.

Two of his friends immediately stepped behind me, slamming their heavy hands onto my shoulders to force me to my knees.

I struggled, refusing to give in.

One of them kicked the back of my leg hard.

A sharp, searing pain shot up my calf, forcing me onto one knee. Tears instantly welled in my eyes.

"Fiona, Julian is being generous! When he tells you to kneel, you kneel! Stop wasting our time!"

His friends shoved me ruthlessly, while Julian stood beside Rachel, his arm casually draped over her shoulder, enjoying the show.

He was waiting for me to break.

After five years together, he was used to my total obedience. A spoiled, arrogant young master like him could never stomach a woman defying his will.

"You've still got one leg up! Are you going to kneel yourself, or do I need to kick you down again?"

I bit my lip and said nothing. Just as I braced myself for another violent kick, my feet suddenly left the floor.

A pair of strong arms scooped me up, and my face crashed into a firm, warm chest.

I let out a startled gasp. A deep, commanding voice rumbled from above. "Sorry I'm late."

Before I could even see his face, Julian froze in absolute terror, his voice trembling violently.

"D-Dominic... Cousin Dominic?" [Paywall Node]