sleep t

l to destroy my ex-husband who technically wasn't even my ex yet because

ead

. Unknown number. I al

el

voice was way too cheerful for t

ke since three

I could hear the smile in his voice. "My driver w

opp

h me wearing... whatever it

t-shirt and pajama shorts. "Ho

hun

s he watching me? How di

had I gotten

bly cost more than my yearly salary used to be. He opened the doo

as alrea

e, hair slightly messy like he'd run his hands through it.

elt,"

. The car st

are we

hey're holding the

tire bo

scanned me from head to toe. Not sexual. Clinical. Like I was a pr

lingerie for you,

inevitably catch glimpses when you move, sit, dance. Every detail matters,

t look like?" I sa

d back to his phone. "Right now, you look lik

self. The words stung

s off," I said,

ice softened slightly. "

ast and dream about. Now I was being ushered inside l

atures and an even sharper accent-air-kissed both of

ning wear, casual, business. I want her w

lit up. "Con

re times than I could count. Gowns in every color. Shoes that cost more

onally he'd shake his head-no. Sometimes he'd nod-yes. Most of

aid when I was exhauste

d on thirt

y i

ilk gown that hugged every curve. It was backless, sop

ne po

om, and for the first time all d

tood

oward me

just inc

. His eyes hadn't left mine

nig

ng a charity ga

ped. "Tonight?

The gesture was gentle, but his eyes were calculating. "This is what you s

his mind,"

ed. "That's

g in front of my mirror an

waves, makeup done by professionals who knew exactly how to make my eyes look bigger,

ed exp

ed con

eone who belonged

orbell

ll tuxedo, and oh God, it wasn't f

?" he

N

onfident. Nerves will make this more bel

ook

d under my touch

're madly in love with me. You can't keep your ha

t of acting,

a knife in Adrian's chest. Every touch is a reminder o

eath. "I ca

the way he did to me so I have

o the car, then slid in be

ha

ut a small

art s

am

ngagement ring. Emerald cut diamond, easily five carats, surrounded b

me hand that used to wear A

t per

know my siz

ckles. "Your ring size. Your favorite coffee. The fact that you ha

a protein bar

ed. "You'll nee

too shock

-four hours, and he already knew more abou

Hotel-of course it was. Adrian's family

could see the photographers already gathe

to back out,"

n was probably laughing with Melissa. Probably

I told th

le was pure

pped. The d

s one of the most eligible bachelors in the city-powerful, w

ck and offer

ook

ed dress, the noise doubled. Quest

s! Who's

u two t

your gi

close, his hand on the small of my bac

ou own the wo

I d

Like I'd never cried myself to sleep.

we walk

-

iers, live orchestra, champagne towers. Ev

ding

with Melissa hanging off his arm. She was wearing pink

't seen

murmured

d on my waist. "Remember, you're wi

ig

he next few hours, I need you to pretend I'm

blue eyes. At the sharp jawline and the

eathed. "I c

d gi

he floor, and we

excellent dancer-smooth, confident, leading me effortlessly acros

ng great,"

t noticed

, and my dress flared out

back into

s with Adrian

ce wen

n r

ng toward us, draggin

," Damien