Dumped By My EX, I Picked Up A Tycoon
ella
nized the couple bathed in the spotligh
ng deeper, as I watched Damon, the man I'd loved
t just
igh school
ling me every passing second. My soul screaming for a pause button-for someone, anyone, to see my
Giana with the same adoration he'd once reserved for me
ool, her radiant smile lighting up the room. That smile had once
his isn't
didn't make sense.
harp sting a brutal reminder-this w
his hands on me, his body claiming mine with a desperation that had felt like de
een distant lately-buried in the family business-but I hadn't questioned it. After all, I never doubted
at the engraved invitation crumpled in my shaking h
ly invited to witness this mome
thing I had to family after my parents died - had personally requested my presence. I'd been so sure this was Damo
e pearl necklace he'd given me last Christmas, imagining his eyes darkening with desire wh
d of. The carefully constructed fantasy of our future
Giana into his arms, sealing their engagement with a kiss as golden ribbons rained down around them.
ndeniabl
with some stranger-with Giana
the shame flushing my skin. They didn't get to humiliat
a hand to clamp around m
ed, perfectly arched brow raised. She might as well have been a castle gatekeeper. I'd n
, her smile razor-sharp. "I
theatrics, Daniella. I don't have
nearby guests. "Don't you want to see my brother's happy ending with the woman he
ht swinging onto me, two familiar faces turned our wa
champagne flute nearly toppling in her haste. "Belly!
this!" She pulled back, eyes sparkling. "It'
e been hap
wasn't for my boyf
rned to Damon. His expression was icy, his gaze warning me not to
s embrace, I forced the words out: "So.
ars. I'm sorry we kept it secret, but it was Damon's idea-he wanted to surprise everyone
I echoed, my
. Y
ting in my chest. Two years of lies. Two years of m
ed my hand, ready to slap the sm
ively, I reached for Damon-but he shoved me aside,
tilted in
osting and fondant. Icy buttercream splattered my face, my hair, my ruine
han the tears streaking thr
I didn't just wa
ground to swa
concern etching his features. He reached down to help me up, his grip stead
y hands clenched into fists at my sides - how I longed to wipe that smug smile off h
ebuke silenced the murmuring crowd. "I di
he past years, that's all I was to them - just another guest. The bitter taste
rd, her white dress pristine aga
y. "You and Damon are the stars tonight. Mingl
ade me more confused. "Come, let's get you clean
hock, I fol
my throat the moment we escaped the crowd's hearing. My ha
, and dried my tears when the world felt too cruel. And he'd known - he'd known about Damon and me. That secret smile when he'd found us holding
f a thousand unspoken regrets. "Belly," he murmured, reaching for me like he had
my voice breaking. "Y
l my years knowing him, his kind eyes turned flinty. "Whatever promises
cles, who'd tucked me in after nightmares. That beloved face had become a stranger's ma
erstood: every birthday gift, every pat on the
numbness. The motherly maid who'd bandaged my childhood
ips upward. "
nds gripped mine, warm against my icy fing
ht of an executioner's axe. "The Sanchez family
ryone... knew?" My voice so
waiting for Master Damon to end things properly with y
orated my funeral pyre. The Sanchez family's "kindness" had been nothing more t
it. The silk pooled at my feet, along with every illusion I'd cherished. They didn't want me?
smelled of someone else's lavender dete
llway light, his once-beloved fac