Chapter 3

Compromise a little. Lucas made it sound so easy.

Seven years ago, he'd said: "Aria, just keep raising pigs a little longer until I make it big."

Seven years later, he said: "Aria, just be my secret lover for a while. Once I'm done with Vivian's family, I'll come back to you."

He reached out to ruffle my hair, the way he used to when he wanted me to buy him new sneakers.

Lucas, even the old sow in the pigpen would get tired of your manipulations.

"You want me to be your side piece?"

I looked into his eyes, my voice steady—surprisingly so, even to myself.

Lucas frowned slightly, clearly not liking the term "side piece."

"Side piece? That sounds terrible."

He walked to the window, looking annoyed, and lit a cigarette.

Through the smoke, his expression was hazy, but his words dripped with entitlement.

"Aria, you're a smart woman. You know in today's world, it's all about who you know."

"But when it comes to feelings? I only have eyes for you."

"That Vivian—she's got money, but she's not worth one of your fingers. She's just a hollow copy of you."

He turned around and pointed at the check on the coffee table.

"Keep the hundred grand Vivian gave you—think of it as walking-around money."

"The condo I'm giving you is worth twenty million, plus an unlimited credit card."

"Quit the pig farm. Shut it down."

"That dirty, backbreaking work isn't for you."

"Just stay in the condo, take up flower arranging, get spa treatments, and wait for me to come home. Doesn't that sound better?"

He said it so earnestly, like he was offering me some amazing gift.

In his mind, pulling me out of the pigpen and locking me in a gilded cage was saving me.

I couldn't help but laugh.

Seven years ago, when he made that vow by the pigpen, he'd worn the exact same expression.

Now that he had money, the first thing he offered me was to be his secret lover.

"Lucas, do you honestly think I'd be stuck in the mud without you?"

Lucas hesitated, then put out his cigarette and pulled me into a hug.

"Aria, don't be ridiculous. You only have a high school diploma. What else can you do besides raise pigs?"

"The world out there is tough. Without me looking out for you, people will eat you alive."

"Tomorrow's wedding will be packed. I don't want Vivian's family giving you a hard time."

"I'm doing this to keep you safe."

Protect me?

Was he protecting his wedding from disruption, or keeping me as his fool?

Looking into those so-called loving eyes, the tight string I'd held for seven years suddenly snapped.

"Fine."

The worry in Lucas's eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a satisfied grin.

He bent down and kissed my forehead, like rewarding a well-behaved pet.

"I knew it—Aria's always so reasonable."

"After the wedding, I'll come stay with you."

"We'll go to the Maldives, just the two of us."

In high spirits, he grabbed his jacket, like he'd just wrapped up a big deal.

"I still have a meeting. The driver's downstairs to help you move."

"Make sure to throw out all those old clothes. I bought you new ones."

After speaking, he tried to lean in for another forehead kiss.

I stepped back, avoiding his advance.

"Fine, you're still upset. I won't push it."

He turned and strode toward his Maybach, and I stood watching the taillights disappear around the bend.

I crumpled the hundred-thousand-dollar check in my hand into a ball.

Lucas, you really didn't let me down.

You're even more rotten than I thought.