Chapter 4

I nodded meekly, keeping my head down. "Yes, Ethan. I was just stressed about the wedding..."

He cut me off with an impatient wave of his hand.

He turned to a nearby waiter. "Get her a chair. Standing there just embarrasses me!"

Then he looked back at me.

"I don't have time for your excuses. You know I only like obedient women."

"Be quiet. The auction is starting."

I didn't say another word and sat on the simple folding chair they brought, continuing to stare at him with longing.

My devoted gaze cheered him up.

He bid on item after item. The waiter brought the tray of won bids to Ethan. "Mr. Vance, where should we send these?"

Ethan didn't answer directly. He smoothed Chloe's hair affectionately. "Send them to Miss Thorne's apartment. Consider it a reward for being so good lately."

Chloe gasped, hugging him. "Ethan, you're the best!"

Ethan glanced at me, waiting for me to lose control.

I didn't disappoint him.

I stood up, eyes red, and walked to him. "Ethan... what about me? Please don't stop loving me."

He chuckled, pinching the back of my neck like I was a puppy. "What's the rush? The best is saved for last."

I sat back down, seemingly mollified.

When the final item, a magnificent diamond necklace symbolizing "Eternal Love," came up, Ethan bid immediately before the starting price was even set.

"Ten million dollars!"

The crowd gasped. The auctioneer screamed, "Mr. Vance is incredibly generous! Who is the lucky lady destined for this necklace?"

Believing his earlier hint, I stood up and walked to Ethan, eyes shining. "Thank you, Ethan. I knew you still cared..."

"Who said this was for you?" Ethan interrupted, frowning.

My smile froze. I paled, standing there like an idiot.

Ethan walked past me, picked up the necklace, and put it on Chloe. "Chloe, only you can pull this off."

Snickers erupted into full-blown laughter at my expense.

Humiliated, I burst into tears, covered my face, and ran out of the hall.

Looking at my retreat, Chloe tapped Ethan's chest. "Ethan, aren't you being too mean to Rainey? What if she runs away?"

Ethan laughed arrogantly. "Run? She would never."

"Everyone knows Rainey has no dignity when it comes to me. Even if I kicked her right now, she'd crawl back to my feet tomorrow morning."

Chloe's smile stiffened with pity. Ethan asked, "What's wrong? You usually hate her. Now you feel sorry for her?"

Chloe pouted. "Of course not! I'm just worried your bride will run. Or... I could just marry you instead?"

Ethan's grip on Chloe's waist tightened painfully. His eyes turned icy. "Chloe, don't overstep. The title of Mrs. Vance belongs only to Rainey."

He patted her cheek. "Now, since you feel so 'sorry' for her, take the necklace off, find her, and give it to her. Tell her it's from me. Then bring her back."

Chloe found me in the garden, my shoulders shaking in the shadows.

"Rainey, call off the wedding," she whispered, hugging me. "Don't marry that scumbag. Don't cry..."

I turned around. There were no tears on my face. I was shaking with sheer, manic joy.

"Chloe, you were right."

"Ethan... actually fell in love with me."

I leaned in, my eyes cold as ice. "Ethan Vance is finished."