Chapter 3

"Embarrasses you?"

I couldn't help but ask, "What about all those love letters I wrote for you? They didn't cost a dime, but you used to say they were the most precious gifts you'd ever received, that their worth couldn't be measured in cash."

Vivian let out a cold chuckle. She pulled a thick stack of papers from her designer bag, took Chad's lighter, and set them ablaze.

"Just a pile of worthless trash. And you treated it like treasure."

The flames instantly devoured the love I had poured onto every page, reducing it to ash.

It extinguished the burning warmth in my chest just as quickly.

The five sweet years we spent together were nothing more than garbage to her.

Money was all she truly cared about.

My fists clenched tight. My chest ached with disappointment, pain, and lingering attachment.

At this point, the reasons didn't matter anymore.

I swallowed the bitter lump in my throat. "Since you've made your choice, I'll let you go. I hope you get what you deserve."

Vivian slipped on her sunglasses, refusing to spare me one last glance. "Glad you finally know your place."

The engine roared to life, blasting exhaust directly into my face as if mocking my stupidity.

I turned to leave, but a circle of burly men suddenly blocked my path.

"Who are you?" I demanded, eyeing them warily.

Their faces were set like stone. "You crossed Mr. Sterling in this city. Nobody can save you now. He told us to bring this barking stray along so you can finally see how the other half lives."

I let out a cold laugh under my breath. I had played the humble boyfriend for Vivian because I loved her, because I was willing to swallow my pride for her sake.

Did a pig like Chad Sterling really think he could step on my head? Delusional.

"Move. Don't make us get rough."

A bodyguard shoved me. I offered just enough resistance to look natural before stepping into their black SUV.

If they wanted to set a trap, I was more than happy to walk right into it.

I was genuinely curious to see how big the Sterling family really was to summon me like this.

The second I sat down, a voice spoke through the hidden earpiece in my ear. "Young Master, do you want us to take them down?"

I gave a slight shake of my head. Since Chad had extended such a warm invitation, how could I turn it down?

I pulled up the dossier on Chad Sterling on my phone. It was thorough enough to detail every single sleazy message he had ever sent on Snapchat.

What a piece of work. He had even booked a hotel room with another woman just a few days ago.

Before long, we reached the private marina.

An impossibly lavish superyacht sat moored before us.

The bodyguard behind me shoved me out of the car. "Open your eyes wide and see the gap between you and Mr. Sterling."

I dusted off my clothes in disgust where his hands had touched me, which visibly ticked them off.

They gave me another hard push forward. Immediately, a crowd of people in designer evening wear turned their heads toward the commotion.

Because I had planned to propose to Vivian today, I was wearing a bespoke, high-end suit. Paired with my naturally striking features, I instantly caught the attention of several young socialites.

One of them boldly sashayed over to break the ice. "Whose family are you from? I don't think I've seen you around before."

I gave a polite nod, turning my head to scan the deck for Vivian.

She was leaning against the railing on the upper deck.

The moment her eyes landed on me, a surge of pure panic flashed across her face.

She looked around frantically. Seeing that no one was watching her closely, she urgently waved her hands at me.

She was telling me to run!

She actually cared about me. She didn't want me walking into danger!

That realization breathed life back into my deadened heart.

Before I could signal back, a sharp jolt of pain radiated across my back.

"To be a good dog, you first have to learn to walk on all fours."

Chad stood behind me, a baseball bat resting on his shoulder, an ugly sneer plastered across his face.

I didn't have time to spare him a glance. My eyes were locked on Vivian.

The moment she saw me get struck, she hitched up her gown and sprinted down the stairs in a frenzy.

She still cared. She still loved me.