Chapter 2

Aria POV

I was once known as the prodigy of the jewelry design world. At nineteen, I won the International Gold Award in Paris. My future should have been limitless.

But the most foolish thing I ever did was give up my fellowship in Paris for Ethan Miller. I chose to stay hidden by his side for three whole years.

For three years, I lived like a shadow in this luxury villa under his name, working as his hidden designer for his family business, the Miller Group.

The only reason Miller Jewelry rose so fast in the market, even overshadowing my brother Julian's firm, the Sterling Vaughan Enterprises, was because of my designs.

Today was our third anniversary.

The kitchen was filled with a rich aroma. I had spent hours making Ethan's favorite wild mushroom cream soup.

Holding the delicate bowl, I walked quietly up to the second-floor study.

Ethan had just returned and was taking a shower. The muffled sound of running water leaked through the frosted glass door.

On the desk, Ethan's iPad kept buzzing. The notifications were relentless.

I didn't mean to spy, but as I set the bowl down, the preview on the lock screen caught my eye. It felt like a knife twisting straight into my chest.

The message was from Ethan's best friend, Zachary.

"Ethan, the paperwork for the 'Galaxy' collection is done. Chloe is going to present it tomorrow at the press conference as Miller's new Chief Designer. The press releases are ready. She's going to be a star overnight."

"If Julian Vaughan finds out his precious, sheltered little sister has been your free labor for three years, and that her masterpiece is going to his rival's fiancée, he'll probably have a stroke on the spot!"

"Brilliant move, man. You've been fighting her brother for years, and now Julian is ruined by his own sister. Aria really helped you steal some major clients from Vaughan Enterprises these past three years."

I stood frozen by the desk. It felt like all the blood had been drained from my body.

The "Galaxy" collection was the result of countless sleepless nights.

I had revised the blueprints hundreds of times, even ending up in the ER with stomach bleeding from pure exhaustion. It was supposed to be my third-anniversary gift to Ethan.

The concept was "Loving you across the galaxy."

Now, it was going to Chloe. His actual fiancée.

I stared at the screen until Ethan's reply popped up. It was only one cold sentence.

"She's just a pawn to destroy Julian Vaughan. Keep an eye on her until the launch tomorrow. Don't let her suspect anything."

My brain buzzed. Total silence.

Every sweet word, every promise over the last three years. It was all a beautifully crafted lie.

The car accident where he "saved" me in the pouring rain, his gentle care, his deep confessions... all of it was just a sick, twisted plot to get revenge on my brother.

The shower water suddenly stopped.

I snapped back to reality, forced myself to turn around, and faced away from the desk.

I dug my nails into my palms, using the physical pain to keep myself from screaming.

The door opened, and Ethan walked out in a black silk robe.

Water droplets slid down his chiseled chest. His dark eyes, always filled with apparent warmth, locked onto me.

"Babe, why are you standing there like a statue?"

He walked up, naturally wrapping his arms around my waist, burying his face in my neck. He took a deep breath of my chamomile perfume.

"The soup smells amazing. Thank you, babe." His voice was low, raspy, and incredibly seductive. Just like always.

But my body shivered uncontrollably. A wave of intense nausea hit me.

Just minutes ago, I was looking forward to our anniversary. Now, feeling his touch made me feel like I was holding a corpse.

"What's wrong? Are you cold? Why are you shaking?" Ethan noticed my reaction. He turned me around, placing his warm hand on my forehead, his eyes full of worry. He was such a good actor.

Looking at his handsome, concerned face, I felt my heart shatter into a million jagged pieces.

Ethan, how could you act so well? You made me look like the ultimate fool, willingly handing you the dagger to stab my own brother.

"I'm fine." I lowered my gaze, hiding the tears. "Just a bit tired from drawing lately. My stomach is acting up."

Ethan let out a soft laugh and kissed my forehead. "Once the launch is over tomorrow and 'Galaxy' hits the market, I'll give you a long break. I'll take you to Tahiti. You've always wanted to go, right?"

I forced a pale smile but said nothing.