Chapter 2

In front of Blair, Ryan was like a puppy begging for a treat, nodding frantically:

"No, Blair, I really can't. Please, you have to help me."

Blair sauntered into the room, making herself at home as if this were her own territory.

She took off her leather gloves, tossing them casually onto the entryway cabinet.

Her eyes scanned my carefully chosen wedding decorations, a faint, almost imperceptible sneer playing on her lips.

"Chloe, looks like you’re not as capable as you think, can’t even handle your own husband."

She walked right up to me, looking triumphant, her contempt undisguised.

I sat on the edge of the bed, still wearing my expensive silk nightgown, feeling utterly ridiculous.

"Blair, this is my room, my wedding night. Please leave."

I tried to keep my voice steady, but my trembling fingertips betrayed my fury.

"Your room?"

Blair scoffed as if I’d said the funniest thing. She turned to Ryan.

"Ryan, tell her. Who bought this house?"

Ryan's face flushed crimson, then drained of color. He stammered:

"Blair, don't… don't be like this…"

"Like what?"

Blair cut him off, her voice suddenly turning ice-cold.

"When you bought this house, who dragged you to every corner of the city? Who helped you with the interior design? What did Chloe do, besides move her bags in?"

With every word, she took another step closer to me.

"Even the engagement ring you gave her, *I* helped you pick out. Ryan, what do you even have without me?"

Ryan hung his head, unable to meet her gaze, like a scolded child.

It all became clear to me then.

This wasn't some bullshit "unlocking." This was a blatant, outright humiliation.

Blair wanted to use the most brutal method on my most important day to show me who truly held power over Ryan.

"Are you done?"

I stood up. Though half a head shorter than Blair, I refused to let her intimidate me.

"When you’re done, get out."

"What did you say?"

Blair narrowed her eyes, a dangerous aura radiating from her.

"I said, get out."

I walked up to her, meeting her gaze head-on.

"No matter who bought this house, the deed now bears Ryan’s name and mine. I am the lady of this house, and I have every right to tell you to leave."

I paused, then turned to the trembling man.

"And you, Ryan. Either you make her leave now, or you can leave with her."

The air instantly froze.

Ryan stared at me in disbelief, clearly not expecting such a definitive statement from a woman he thought was always docile.

Blair was stunned for a moment, then let out a derisive laugh.

She reached out and patted Ryan's cheek, an intimately possessive gesture, like soothing a pet.

"Tsk, tsk. Look at you, married and suddenly got wings. Ryan, choose. Are you going to listen to your wife, or to me?"

She threw the choice at Ryan, utterly certain he would pick her.

Ryan’s face shifted through shades of uncertainty in the lamplight. He looked at me, then at Blair, his forehead beaded with sweat.

When he was nervous, he always unconsciously rubbed the wedding band on his ring finger – the one Blair had helped him pick out.

The few seconds of silence felt like an eternity.

Finally, he slowly lifted his head, looked at me, and spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Chloe, don't make a scene. Let Blair help me… just this once."

My heart, in that moment, plummeted to rock bottom.

"Fine."

I nodded, a bright smile spreading across my face.

"Since you need her so much, I'll make sure you have her."

I walked to the door, pulled it open, and gestured outside.

"The bed's all yours. I'll close the door behind me. Have a happy wedding night, you two."

With that, under their stunned gaze, I slammed the bridal suite door shut with a resounding *bang*.

I locked that pair of dogs inside.

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