Dumped By My EX, I Picked Up A Tycoon

ella

nized the couple bathed in the spotligh

ng deeper, as I watched Damon, the man I'd loved

t just

igh school

ling me every passing second. My soul screaming for a pause button-for someone, anyone, to see my

Giana with the same adoration he'd once reserved for me

ool, her radiant smile lighting up the room. That smile had once

his isn't

didn't make sense.

harp sting a brutal reminder-this w

his hands on me, his body claiming mine with a desperation that had felt like de

een distant lately-buried in the family business-but I hadn't questioned it. After all, I never doubted

at the engraved invitation crumpled in my shaking h

ly invited to witness this mome

thing I had to family after my parents died - had personally requested my presence. I'd been so sure this was Damo

e pearl necklace he'd given me last Christmas, imagining his eyes darkening with desire wh

d of. The carefully constructed fantasy of our future

Giana into his arms, sealing their engagement with a kiss as golden ribbons rained down around them.

ndeniabl

with some stranger-with Giana

the shame flushing my skin. They didn't get to humiliat

a hand to clamp around m

ed, perfectly arched brow raised. She might as well have been a castle gatekeeper. I'd n

, her smile razor-sharp. "I

theatrics, Daniella. I don't have

nearby guests. "Don't you want to see my brother's happy ending with the woman he

ht swinging onto me, two familiar faces turned our wa

champagne flute nearly toppling in her haste. "Belly!

this!" She pulled back, eyes sparkling. "It'

e been hap

wasn't for my boyf

rned to Damon. His expression was icy, his gaze warning me not to

s embrace, I forced the words out: "So.

ars. I'm sorry we kept it secret, but it was Damon's idea-he wanted to surprise everyone

I echoed, my

. Y

ting in my chest. Two years of lies. Two years of m

ed my hand, ready to slap the sm

ively, I reached for Damon-but he shoved me aside,

tilted in

osting and fondant. Icy buttercream splattered my face, my hair, my ruine

han the tears streaking thr

I didn't just wa

ground to swa

concern etching his features. He reached down to help me up, his grip stead

y hands clenched into fists at my sides - how I longed to wipe that smug smile off h

ebuke silenced the murmuring crowd. "I di

he past years, that's all I was to them - just another guest. The bitter taste

rd, her white dress pristine aga

y. "You and Damon are the stars tonight. Mingl

ade me more confused. "Come, let's get you clean

hock, I fol

my throat the moment we escaped the crowd's hearing. My ha

, and dried my tears when the world felt too cruel. And he'd known - he'd known about Damon and me. That secret smile when he'd found us holding

f a thousand unspoken regrets. "Belly," he murmured, reaching for me like he had

my voice breaking. "Y

l my years knowing him, his kind eyes turned flinty. "Whatever promises

cles, who'd tucked me in after nightmares. That beloved face had become a stranger's ma

erstood: every birthday gift, every pat on the

numbness. The motherly maid who'd bandaged my childhood

ips upward. "

nds gripped mine, warm against my icy fing

ht of an executioner's axe. "The Sanchez family

ryone... knew?" My voice so

waiting for Master Damon to end things properly with y

orated my funeral pyre. The Sanchez family's "kindness" had been nothing more t

it. The silk pooled at my feet, along with every illusion I'd cherished. They didn't want me?

smelled of someone else's lavender dete

llway light, his once-beloved fac