Chapter 4

The wedding dress slipped from my hands, its fabric torn and tattered.

Rory was disgusted, looking at me with contempt.

He spat, "As I said, I only wanted to make up for the past regrets. Why do you still make things difficult for her?"

A lump of fire burned in my chest, rendering me speechless. After a long pause, I managed, "That dress was designed by my mother."

He scoffed, "So what? It''s just a piece of clothing. Why can''t you lend it to her for a few days? You''d rather tear it apart. Give it a rest. You''re no longer the pampered heiress."

His words sent a shiver through me, despite the spring warmth. He always knew how to hit me where it hurt the most.

Sienna snuggled into his arms and glanced at the ruined dress.

Rory reassured her, "Don''t worry. I''ll get you a new one. It''ll be ready in time for the wedding."

I bent down to pick up the remnants of my dress and left with a searing pain in my chest.

''Just a few more days,'' I told myself.

Once the paperwork was done, I could leave.

...

I had exchanged most of my jewelry and properties for cash, stashing it away.

Rory hadn''t spoken to me all day until he came to my room that evening. He informed me that my father had been transferred to an overseas branch and would be leaving in three days, with my mother accompanying him.

Rory hovered in the doorway, his face obscured by the shadows. "If you hadn''t married me, you''d be a fallen lady by now. I told you, my wedding with Sienna is just a formality, to make up for past regrets. Your position in this house won''t be shaken."

I remained silent. If I hadn''t fallen for him, I would have married into another powerful family instead of suffering in this situation.

He pulled out a diamond ring from his pocket and threw it onto the vanity.

"You lied to me. You sold this without telling me," he said, stressing his tone.

I remained composed. "If I don''t want it anymore, I sell it. What''s the big deal?"

His eyebrows shot up. "Chloe said you''ve been selling off a lot of your stuff lately. Why do you need so much money if you''re not wearing jewelry or seeing anyone?"

I met his gaze steadily. "My father is being transferred overseas. The journey is long, and there are many expenses to cover."

Rory began to throw the items I had sold onto the vanity. The sound of the jewelry clattering was sharp.

He snapped, "You sold everything I gave you. Did you do this to spite me?"

I lowered my head, organizing the jewelry and placing them back into the box. It clicked shut with a final sound.

I decided to take them abroad and sell them there. He wouldn''t be able to control me from far away.

"I didn''t," I replied.

I no longer cared about the things he gave me.

He sneered, "I was supposed to be with Sienna. Put away your jealousy."

I replied numbly, "I know. So, let''s get a divorce."

Sienna was his true love. They were meant to be together. I had heard this too many times.

I continued to fold my clothes. Once I was abroad, I wouldn''t need such fancy clothing.

Uneasy about my silence, he softened his tone. "Let the servants handle it."

I nodded dismissively. "Okay."