took in the scene with a single, sweeping glance-Julian' s bruised face, Chloe' s fake tea

, found mine across the chaotic ballroom. He walked toward me, his steps unhurried a

en, to the astonishment of ev

urrounded by diamonds that seemed to capture all the light in the room. It was the ring I had secretly

"Julian is a fool and a disgrace. You deserve better. You deserve a man w

lding a universe of sincerity.

pers, the chaos, a single,

were not tears of rage or sorrow. They were

blind with love to listen. When my family' s fortune crumbled, he secretly funneled money to my parents. When I died, he was the only one from the T

iracle. A second chance I

y held him. "The spare? The legitimate heir with none

tempt to reclaim control, bu

d, out of my father's protective embrace and into Marcus's. I wrapp

h emotion but loud enough for everyone

t of his heart. It was the most real and reassuring sound I

ust another trap, another man using me. But then I felt his arms tight

with disbelief. "This is a joke, right? You're trying to make me

gh to look at Julian. I let him see the cold,

voice flat. "There is only you, and t

My mother was already beaming. This was a match they could be proud of. The guests, sensing the dr

bsolutely sure about this, Olivia?" he murmured, his v

r been more sure of anything

do this! I love you!" he screamed, str

uards began to drag Julian from the ballro

ded. And as Marcus slipped the beautiful sapphire ring onto m