Chapter 1

“She sold her grandma’s heirloom for me. Tell me that’s not stupid.”

In 104-degree heat, I stood frozen at the villa gate, takeout bag in hand.

I knew that voice too well—my boyfriend, Brandon, the guy who had “failed” seven startups.

Then another voice chimed in from inside:

“Brandon, if she ever finds out you’re actually a billionaire and only pretending to be broke to get back at Chloe, she’ll lose it.”

Laughter erupted.

My entire body went cold.

I stepped aside, dialed a number, and said quietly, “Grandpa… you win. I’ll go through with the arranged marriage.”

Chloe's syrupy voice drifted from inside the mansion

"You’re the best, Brandon. What is Amelia, anyway? She never deserved you. Two years with you was more than she deserved."

I stood stiffly outside the door, the takeout bag suddenly heavy in my grip.

Today was our second anniversary. I’d planned to finish this delivery and surprise Brandon at home.

Brandon's voice was relaxed in a way I’d never heard.

"She never deserved me. If it weren’t to avenge how she treated you back then, why would I play this role for two years?"

Chloe giggled.

"Look at her, Brandon. So pathetic, delivering food every day and actually thinking she's saving her bankrupt prince."

Through the cracked door I saw Brandon lounging on the sofa without any trace of his failed entrepreneur act.

My grandmother's bracelet glittered around Chloe's wrist like a cruel joke.

He pinched her cheek. "Watching her beg customers for extra delivery tips never gets old."

My vision blurred. For two years I woke at 4 AM, worked until 11 PM, sold everything valuable. Even the bracelet my grandmother left me.

That night he'd held me, whispering, "When I get back on my feet, I'll give you the life you deserve."

Now I understood. His bankrupt family, his dead parents, all those failed startups. Every part of it was a lie designed to help another woman destroy me.

I slammed the door open.

The laughter died.

Brandon shot up from the sofa as if electrocuted, the blood draining from his face.

"Amelia? What are you...I can explain! This is just a business meeting."

My gaze never reached him, locked on the bracelet circling Chloe's wrist.

"The bracelet. Give it back."

She tilted her head, a smirk playing on her lips. "Why should I? Brandon gave it to me as a gift."

"That was my grandmother's," I said, my voice shaking. "I pawned it to fund his so-called startup."

Brandon's smile stiffened. He reached for my wrist, his tone softening into that familiar, poisonous sweetness. "Amelia, let me explain."

I snatched my arm back. "Explain the lies? Or how you stole my grandmother's bracelet for her?"

Chloe rose, cradling the jade bracelet protectively. “You want it? One million dollars. Pay up, and it's yours."

One million dollars!

Since cutting ties with my family and pouring every cent into Brandon's ventures, I was broke. I couldn't even scrounge up a thousand bucks.

Brandon avoided my eyes, silently endorsing Chloe's cruelty.

My heart sank. "Give me three days," I gritted out. "I'll get the money."

Chloe laughed. "Three days? You'll never earn a million delivering takeout!"

She snatched the food from my hands and flung the gourmet meal at me. Sauce dripped down my clothes as she ground the expensive steak under her heel. "This is all you're worth."

Though stained and humiliated, I stood my ground, fists clenched.

She suddenly ripped the bracelet from her wrist and threw open the window.

"Look at you. So pathetic. So cheap. Since you care this so much-"

Before I could move, she hurled it out.

I lunged forward. "No!"

The bracelet flashed in the light before vanishing into a storm drain.

My grandmother had put it on me herself before she passed. It was the last tangible link to her, to my family.