Chapter 3

Effie's eyes widened in shock, and she rushed to explain herself.

"No, it's not what you think. I never saw it that way. Things between Mitchell and me have really fallen apart, and my grandma's getting older-she's always hoped I'd settle down soon. That's the only reason I want to get married."-

Use Lyman as a backup plan? She wasn't crazy.

Lyman's expression remained unreadable, giving nothing away.

"You're really willing to leave him?" he asked, voice cool.

She scoffed, a flicker of disdain in her eyes. "What's there to miss about a guy who can't stop cheating?" The sting of being humiliated in that private room still lingered, but it had also snapped her awake. After what Mitchell said, she was done-completely done.

Lyman's eyes glimmered with something bright as his brows arched, a hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.

He half-closed his eyes, lifting his chin ever so slightly, his voice low and rough as if straining with restraint. "You're sure about this?"

Tears shimmered in her eyes, but her words were steady. "I'm sure. I'm done with trash."

his breath was hot against her sensitive ear. "You're the one who came to me first," he murmured, voice smoldering. "No backing out

moment, she couldn't speak. Finally, lashes trembling, she

already thrown caution to the

we get the marriage license." Lyman didn't leave her any room to

him, caught off guard.

Is there

you take me home? I need

dropped her

to move in with his

shattered by the betrayal. She lost her grip on reality and, not long after, died in a car accident. The

it all—her mother's death, her own broken childhood. She knew she'd never

of college, and, by coincidence or fate, had landed a job at Mitchell's company, E&M Group. At the recent holiday party, Suzan performed a solo dance that wowed everyone-and, apparently,

business, earning a name for itself in just a

team. She rarely crossed paths with Mitchell, let

had already drawn a firm line between herself

she never expected Mitchell

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