The Jilted Heiress' Return To The High Life

The Betrayed Heiress' Return to Elegance 2

Chapter 2 Know Your Place

And Leave

"Yes" Bruce's affirmation struck with devastating finality.

The impact of that single word reverberated through Corrine's chest, each pulse bringing fresh waves of suffocating pain.

His muttered "sorry" trailed behind him as he rushed away, the word falling hollow in the charged air,

Corrine remained rooted in place, watching his retreating figure grow smaller. The pain in her chest intensified, as though someone were methodically carving out her heart with a dull blade.

A numbing chill crept upward from her feet, gradually claiming her entire body.

The memories surfaced unbidden. When Bruce had assumed control of the failing Ashton family business, they'd tectered on the precipice of bankruptcy.

He had confessed his inability to provide her a secure future then, but promised marriage once the company

recovered.

obscurity to prominence in the business world,

truth emerged with cruel clarity–their three years

arrangement to him.

of love, she alone had invested genuine

years of devotion and sacrifice crumbled to dust in the

down her cheeks as violent

like you-a simple country girl without education or background-if you

through Corrine's chest. "The Ashton family's current

toward her. "You think yourself so important? The Ashtons

the Ashtons viewed her contribution. Bruce's mother, Tracy Ashton, rose with practiced grace, approaching Corrine with poorly concealed revulsion. "Enough of this spectacle," she

the Ashton family's

that dismissal, Tracy turned to apologize and bid farewell

in place.

disperse, her dream wedding