Chapter 3

I smiled back, though it didn’t reach my eyes. Sienna Vaughn looked stunning in that red dress, almost like the bride.

She waltzed over to the main table and casually sat in the seat meant for Liam Prescott. As she leaned down, a glint around her neck caught my eye.

My chest tightened, and I stared.

It was a diamond ring. Not just any ring—my ring. The one I had designed myself. It's the only one like it in the world.

Now, it hung around Sienna, the mistress's neck.

I couldn’t imagine what ring Liam would’ve handed me if my wedding had gone ahead. A cheap stand-in? Or had he planned to pluck this one right off her neck? Either way, the thought turned my stomach.

Despite my efforts to stay composed, my nails dug into my palms as I fought the anger boiling inside.

At that moment, Liam entered the room with the officiant.

“Where’s the bride? Not wearing her gown? A red dress would work too—very pretty,” the officiant remarked approvingly, clearly mistaking Sienna for the bride.

Sienna glanced at me, feigning surprise, and quickly waved her hands.

“Oh, no, no! I’m not the bride! Miss Reese, don’t be upset.”

Liam stormed over, his expression thunderous.

“Why aren’t you dressed yet? Do you even care about our wedding?”

He reached out to grab my arm, but Mrs. Prescott intervened, pulling him back.

“Liam, speak to her properly! Don’t be so harsh.”

Sienna jumped in, her voice syrupy sweet.

“Miss Reese is just a little emotional. Liam, you should calm her down. We can’t let this ruin the wedding.”

But Liam’s frustration only deepened. He turned to me and barked in front of the whole room,

“Delia, enough of this! Get changed now! Stop embarrassing yourself!”

Sienna placed a soothing hand on his arm, murmuring,

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you apologize to the guests. Everything will be fine.”

I let out a bitter laugh.

“Why don’t you just finish the wedding with him while you’re at it?”

I was done pretending, and the time for quiet dignity had passed.

Raising my voice so everyone could hear, I announced,

“Sorry to make this such a spectacle, everyone. Please enjoy the food and drinks. But as of today, Liam Prescott and I are officially over. Consider yourselves witnesses.”

Liam’s eyes burned with fury.

“When are you going to stop this nonsense?”

Sienna’s face contorted in mock alarm, her high heels clicking as she stomped in frustration.

“Miss Reese, you’ve misunderstood! I was just trying to help manage the guests!”

Her act was as transparent as a windowpane, and I crossed my arms, watching her smugly.

“You weren’t just managing guests, were you? Didn’t you also manage the wedding bed?”

Her smug grin faltered for a split second before she quickly recovered, tears welling in her eyes.

“Miss Reese, I think you’re mistaken—”

Slap!

The little snake was a master of putting on an act, but I had no interest in arguing with her.