Chapter 2

Adrian’s words landed lightly.

I sat before the mirror, studying my perfectly made-up face.

“A bridesmaid greeting guests with the engaged couple?”

I picked up a lipstick tube and twisted it open.

“Adrian, do you want the whole city to think the three of us are getting engaged?”

He stopped at the door and looked back, his brow furrowing again.

“Vivienne, stop with the sarcastic comments.” His patience was clearly gone. “Chloe is bored sitting alone in the lounge. What’s wrong with letting her get some air?”

“She’s helping us welcome guests. Why does that bother you so much?”

“It’s unnecessary.”

I set the lipstick down with a sharp click.

“This is my engagement party. I don’t need another person playing hostess.”

“You’re impossible.”

Adrian yanked the door open.

“Fine. Stay in here, then. Come out or don’t. I don’t care.”

The door slammed behind him.

I closed my eyes and took a slow breath.

Impossible?

He had not even seen what truly impossible looked like yet.

I took out my phone and called my mother.

“Mom, is everything ready?”

Her voice was calmer than I expected.

“It’s ready. Your father has already pulled out the money that needed to be pulled. We’re only waiting for you to make your move.”

“My dad…” I hesitated.

“He said his daughter has been humiliated, and he intends to make it right.”

She paused.

“Vivienne, are you sure? Once you expose them at this party, everyone in our circle will know.”

“I’m sure.”

I looked into my own eyes in the mirror.

“Mom, I put up with this for three years. I didn’t do it so I could put up with it forever.”

“Good.”

That was all she said before hanging up.

Then I texted my cousin.

'Is everything ready backstage?'

He replied almost immediately.

'Yep. Sound system and screens are tested. The USB is plugged in. We’re ready whenever you are.'

I slipped my phone back into my bag and stood.

After smoothing my skirt, I walked out of the dressing room.

At the far end of the hallway, Julian Grant was talking with several guests.

He was the head of Grant Holdings, and the business partner Adrian had been trying desperately to impress.

When he saw me, he gave a slight nod.

His gaze lingered on my face for a moment.

I nodded back, then walked straight toward the ballroom.

At the entrance, Adrian was greeting several older guests.

When he saw me, some of the tension left his face, though his irritation remained.

I stepped beside him, looped my arm through his, and smiled.

Chloe immediately moved in too, taking Adrian’s other side.

“Mr. Walker, we’re so glad you made it”

She greeted a middle-aged man as though they were old friends and even reached past me to offer her hand.

Mr. Walker hesitated.

His gaze shifted from me to Chloe, clearly unsure.

“And you are?”

“I’m Adrian’s closest friend, Chloe Bennett.” She beamed. “And I’m one of the bridesmaids today.”

Adrian did not correct her.

Instead, he smiled.

“That’s right, Mr. Walker. Chloe has helped me with a lot of work over the years. I hope you’ll look out for her going forward.”

I watched the two of them work together like they had rehearsed it.

Then Adrian’s mother came over and took Chloe’s hand, smiling warmly.

“Chloe, you look gorgeous today. You picked the perfect dress. It makes you look radiant.”

She turned to me, her smile fading slightly.

“Vivienne, isn’t your dress a little too plain? It doesn’t feel grand enough for an engagement party.”

I looked at the woman who was supposed to become my mother-in-law.

She clearly had no idea what her son had been doing behind her back.