Chapter 1

For half a decade, I harbored secret feelings for my childhood companion. At last, I gathered the bravery to confess my love.

His response was cold, "It was just a bit of fun. Did you actually think it was serious? Who commits to a casual fling?"

Shocked, I questioned, "Our bond since childhood... Was it all a game to you?"

He answered nonchalantly, "Don't fret, Sienna. Even if I proceed with my family's arranged marriage, I won't cast you aside."

His tone softened, as if offering a consolation prize, "We can still meet, like before. Perhaps not monthly—how about weekly? Isn't that sufficient?"

Instinctively, my hand struck his face, the sound resonating between us. Then, I turned and left.

An arranged marriage, was it? Fine. I'd find my own match, and it would be exceptional.

At my pre-wedding celebration, I was astonished to see Lance Madron arrive with his betrothed.

Later, on the rooftop, he cornered me. His arms encircled my waist as he whispered in my ear.

"Sienna, it's been ages. Haven't you longed for me?"

I pushed him away, glaring. "Your fiancée is downstairs, and you're behaving like this?"

"She's aware of you," he smirked. "She came today to assert her dominance. I'm here to remind you, out of kindness. Everyone knows how long you've pursued me. So, for my sake, why not just accept it?"

"You're repulsive!" I snapped.

Unfazed, he shrugged. "Come on, I know you love me. Why not be content as my mistress? Isn't that enough?"

His eyes gleamed expectantly, as if I should be thankful. Those captivating eyes—so intense they could melt hearts—traced my collarbone, darkening with desire.

As Lance leaned in to kiss me, the sound of shattering glass from below interrupted him.

Hearing it, he recoiled as if I were toxic, his expression instantly composed.

"What's happening?" I asked, anxiety gripping my chest.

Lance adjusted his shirt, feigning innocence. "Whatever's going on down there, just endure it. It'll pass quickly."

His cryptic words made me uneasy. Without delay, I rushed downstairs.

Upon reaching the main hall, I saw a woman demolishing my possessions with a baseball bat.

"Maia!" someone cried, attempting to calm her. "What's wrong? You went upstairs and returned this angry?"

"Stop, Maia, before you destroy everything in Sienna's home!" another pleaded.

The once-grand champagne tower was now a mess of broken glass on the floor.

It wasn't hard to guess who was behind the chaos.

Maia Fowler stood there, wild-eyed, yelling, "I'll do as I please! She dared to tempt my fiancé. Am I not allowed to be furious?"

As she spoke, she raised the bat, targeting a porcelain vase on a nearby shelf.

Just then, I shouted, "Stop!"

Despite my cry, she ignored me and shattered the vase. Only then did she turn to me, glaring with tear-stained eyes.

"Sienna, Lance said he's no longer interested in you. So why are you still shamelessly pursuing him?"

Her voice dripped with contempt. "You threw this party just to seduce my fiancé and embarrass me, didn't you? Do you enjoy humiliating me?"

"I didn't seduce him!" I retorted, denying her accusation.

But she scoffed, lifting her chin defiantly. "Ask them—who here believes you? But if you really want me to believe you, slap yourself ten times. Then I might consider it."

I rolled my eyes in disbelief. Of course, nobody believed me. Years of chasing Lance had left me with a reputation I couldn't shake. Explaining myself here seemed futile.

However, Maia wasn't finished. Soon, one of her friends pulled out a phone and displayed photos on the screen.

In one, it appeared I was leaning in to kiss Lance—though I remembered pushing him away. In the next, he was coldly rejecting me, while I stood there, expressionless.

To anyone else, it painted a clear picture: I was the desperate one throwing myself at him.