Chapte 0
I was utterly humiliated, feeling like nothing more than the “other woman.”
“Hello, Miss Salome,” I said, my voice trembling. “I’m President Grasso’s assistant. I must’ve dropped my work badge while setting up the proposal venue.“}
“I’m not mad. Your face is so red from nerves.” Salome winked at me.§
“Last night, Liam proposed to me,” she continued with a smile. “I want to hold the wedding here. You know, they don’t allow divorce in Ireland. I hope you can help out.“>
“Okay.“”
It felt like a thousand needles were lodged in my throat.
I had spent four years with Liam, no title and no promises, while she had been proposed to just last night and was already preparing for her wedding today.
Salome turned to Liam and threw herself into his arms.§
“Let’s go pick out a wedding dress!”
While they eagerly prepared for their wedding, I was left running in circles.
I had to pull strings and spend money just to get a spot at the hottest church in town.
I dug deep to find the best wedding videographers.§
I even had to tag along as they chose dresses and rings.
When Salome slipped into her gown, she pursed her lips, lifting her foot slightly toward me.
I instantly understood and despite the sting of humiliation, I knelt to help her slide on her shoes.
The moment I first saw Salome, I knew. She was cut from the same cloth as Liam, raised in wealth, accustomed to commanding with effortless grace.
She studied me, her gaze sharp.§
“Assistant Amadeo, we look a little alike. No wonder Liam kept you around.“}]
I knew. We were about seventy percent alike.
From the moment I saw her this morning, everything clicked.§
So that’s why Liam had sponsored me.
So that’s why he’d lost control in his drunken haze and pinned me beneath him.§
So that’s why he’d whispered “Sweetheart” while tangled in sheets.§
It turned out I was merely a cheap replacement.
I carefully wiped the dust from her shoe’s heel.
“Looking like you is my honor.”
Salome raised her foot, the stiletto heel landing squarely on the back of my hand.
“I was originally going to marry someone else. But Liam was so devoted, I gave him a chance.”
I didn’t want to feel anything. I didn’t want to care. But still, my eyes filled with tears.”
The man I’d longed for, the one I could never have, had become an afterthought to someone else.
Liam walked in, dressed in a suit and as Salome stepped off my hand, her sharp heel nearly pierced my skin.”
I clenched my jaw, biting down hard on my lower lip, as tears spilled from my eyes, big and heavy.
It was okay, Anya.
It did not hurt.”
It did not hurt at all.
Salome helped Liam fix his tie, teasing him about how handsome he looked, before standing on tiptoe to kiss him.”
I straightened myself up, but through the floor–length mirror, I caught a glimpse of Liam’s gaze.
He was looking at me.”
His expression was unreadable and for a fleeting second, I thought I saw a flicker of pity.
But as our eyes met, he quickly turned away, shifting his attention to Salome and adjusting her hair.
***
The entire day was spent shopping with them, my feet aching in high heels. Yet, no ring seemed good enough for Salome.}
She let go of Liam and came over to me, proudly showing off a 10–carat diamond ring from her friend.§
“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked, her voice full of pride.
I smiled and nodded, though it was hard to pretend I hadn’t already heard the endless stories of how much Liam adored her, how he spoiled her, how he’d give her the world.”
But just then, the crowd around us erupted into chaos.
It seemed like a protest or some kind of demonstration had broken out.”
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Liam tried to make his way toward us, but the crowd surged, pulling us in opposite directions.
For once, Liam seemed genuinely alarmed.”
He shouted toward me, “Protect her!”
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly; what a joke.
But despite the absurdity, I still moved to shield her, trying to push her closer to him.
Yet, Salome shoved me aside, stepping forward as she made her way toward Liam.” In the midst of their embrace, a stranger’s hands gripped me tightly.
It wasn’t an accident; someone was deliberately pulling me away.”
Panic clawed at my chest and I screamed, but Liam never seemed to hear.”
He was too focused on protecting the trembling Salome, guiding her through the chaos. In that split second, I saw a flash of steel, a knife slicing through the air toward me.”
Through the blur of movement, I caught sight of the bodyguard pulling up in the car.”
Liam, still holding Salome, climbed into the vehicle and without a second glance, they drove off, leaving me behind.
Chapter 2