Chapter 1

At the family dinner, Chloe suddenly looked at me and asked:

"Natasha, do you still hate Cameron for making you take the rap for Louise and go to prison?"

I smiled and shook my head. "Not at all. After all, if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't have met my current fiancé."

As I spoke, I casually adjusted my collar, letting the sapphire necklace around my neck catch the light. Then, I pulled out a stack of gold-embossed engagement invitations and handed them to everyone at the table.

"My engagement party is next month. I hope you all can make it."

The moment those words left my mouth, the main table went dead silent. Everyone’s eyes instantly locked onto the man who had just crushed his wine glass with his bare hand.

His eyes were bloodshot, looking as if he wanted to tear me apart. But I was actually surprised to see him lose his mind like this.

"Natasha, what did you just say? Say that again!"

The sharp sound of shattering glass echoed through the silent banquet hall.

Cameron violently pushed his chair back. Ignoring the glass shards dug deep into his palm, he marched toward me.

Blood dripped down his fingers, leaving dark red stains on the expensive carpet.

He stared at the invitation in my hand, his eyes filled with terrifying veins, his chest heaving violently.

The relatives exchanged uneasy glances, not daring to make a sound.

I sat perfectly still, finding his loss of control utterly pathetic.

Three years ago, when he forced me into prison, he was cold and calculated.

"Is your hearing going bad with age, Cameron?"

I slid the last invitation across the table, right in front of him.

"I said, I’m getting engaged."

Cameron snatched up the invitation, his eyes locking onto the two names printed side by side.

The veins on the back of his hand bulged, his knuckles turning white from his grip.

"Kennedy Monroe?" he sneered through clenched teeth.

"Natasha, you really are desperate. You’d use any cheap trick just to get back at me."

"Hiring some random guy to play your fiancé and daring to use the Monroe family name? Do you have a death wish?"

I picked up my teacup, took a calm sip, and spoke in a flat voice.

"Whether it's an act or not, you can come and see for yourself next month."

Cameron slammed the invitation onto the table and leaned in close, looming over me.

The familiar scent of cedar cologne on him only made me feel sick now.

"Natasha, stop throwing tantrums. There's a limit to my patience."

"You’ve been out of prison for two weeks. Haven't I been accommodating enough?"

"I bought you a house, a car. And you still choose to embarrass yourself in front of my entire family?"

His tone carried a sickening, patronizing pity, as if I were just a pet throwing a childish fit.

I raised my eyes to meet his angry glare.

"Cameron, do you honestly think that because I spent three years in prison for Louise, I’m chained to you like a dog for the rest of my life?"

At the mention of "Louise," Cameron's face darkened instantly.

Before he could speak, a delicate, fragile voice echoed from the entrance of the hall.

"Natasha, please stop using this to hurt Cameron."

Louise walked in, wearing a pure white haute couture dress. She looked like a spotless white lotus.

She naturally wrapped her arm around Cameron's, pulling out a handkerchief to gently wipe the blood from his hand.

"Cameron is only doing what's best for you. You just got out of prison. With a criminal record, what decent man would ever marry you?"

She turned to look at me, a flash of smugness in her eyes.

"That necklace... it’s a cheap knockoff, isn't it?"

"If you're really that broke, or just want to show off, you could have asked us. There's no need to buy fake jewelry."

The relatives immediately began whispering, their eyes filled with disdain.

"Exactly. Who would want a woman who’s been to prison?"

"Showing off a fake necklace... how embarrassing."

I stared at Louise’s hypocritical act, feeling a wave of disgust.

Three years ago, she was the one who committed the hit-and-run.

Yet now, she stood here, glamorous and shining, mocking the scapegoat who took her place.

Cameron held Louise’s hand and looked down at me coldly.

"Take that necklace off. Stop embarrassing yourself."

I gently touched the sapphire necklace. Kennedy had put it around my neck himself last night.

"Make sure to bring your precious Louise with you, Cameron. Don't be late for the wedding toast."