Chapter 1
“Ms. Miller, we’ve confirmed that your marriage certificate is fake. Forging one is illegal, so we’ll need your cooperation in the investigation.”
“People even fake marriage certificates these days?”
“She must’ve been tricked. Poor thing…”
With the staff and a few couples staring, Elena Miller walked out of the city hall in a daze. The sun was blazing overhead, yet she felt cold inside.
Yesterday, Justin Riggs suddenly agreed to marry her, starting a new chapter in their five-year relationship.
Later that night, the bedroom was thick with desire. Just as things reached their peak, a phone call broke
through. For once, Justin stopped and picked up.
“Don’t be ridiculous. The marriage certificate with her is fake. I married you two years ago.”
He spoke in a rare foreign language, but Elena understood him. Justin’s friends all knew that language
too, and to fit in, she’d secretly taken a class to learn it.
“I’m still jealous. I wish she didn’t exist.”
“Don’t be childish. Lena’s innocent. Wasn’t the car crash enough? She lost the use of one leg. She’ll never dance again. Nobody’s going to challenge you for the Dance Queen title.
“If you stir up more trouble, I can’t promise I’ll be able to cover for you.”
“And… what about the baby?”
‘Once she gets pregnant and has the child, I’ll make sure the baby ends up under our names. Now behave. She’s nothing compared to you. How could I ever fall for her?”
Even in her shock, Elena’s mind slowly cleared..
So, that car crash two years ago wasn’t an accident at all?
A truck had suddenly gone out of control and barreled toward her, nearly wrecking both her legs. She
spent over two weeks in the hospital to save one; but she’d never dance again.
She’d gotten her mother’s talent for dance and could’ve had a bright future.
Later, Justin told Elena it was just an accident. He said he didn’t mind her bad leg, and she was grateful.
She fell even harder for him.
But now she knew the truth. It had all been a setup. Justin had lied to her. He had even married the one
who caused it, and now they wanted her to have a baby for them!
After a sleepless night, Elena went to the city hall first thing in the morning to find out the truth. In the end, it hit her like a slap in the face.
She forced a smile and said she’d only been joking. Luckily, the staff didn’t press her. They scolded her a little, then let her go.
Her phone had been ringing for a while before she finally snapped out of it and picked up.
Justin’s voice came through, low and husky, carrying that drowsy edge that made it all the more magnetic. “Already on your way to the office?”
Elena forced her voice to stay steady. “No, something came up.”
“Where are you? I’ll come get you.”
Her eyes stung. She thought of how he used to promise her-no matter where she was, no matter when, he’d always come for her, and they’d go home together.
But now, did they even have a home together anymore? He’d already married someone else two years ago, betraying her physically and emotionally.
“Lena?”
Tears slipped down Elena’s cheeks, but her voice remained calm. “No, it’s fine. I still have things to do. I’ll go on my own.”
She wouldn’t budge, and Justin had no choice but to give in.
When the call ended, she tried to sort through the tangle of thoughts in her head. In the five years she’d been with Justin, he’d always kept himself above reproach.
Back in college, he was the handsome student body president. After graduation, he was the striking, wealthy CEO. Women chased him nonstop, but he stayed indifferent and cold, except with Elena.
So, who was the woman he’d married two years ago? And what about that car crash?
By noon, Elena reached the office.
The staff in the CEO’s office greeted her one by one. “Good day, Ms. Miller.”
She nodded quietly, acknowledging them without a word. Her desk was already buried under stacks of documents. She went through them, selecting a few to take to Justin for his signature.
He sat behind his desk, handsome and composed. His presence was commanding even in stillness. He carried an air of quiet authority. When he saw her, that intensity eased noticeably.
After signing the documents she’d brought, one by one, he looked up at her with worry in his eyes. “You don’t look well.”
Chapter 1
3/4
“I’m just a little tired. It’s nothing serious.”
“This project’s been rough on you lately,” Justin said, reaching up to gently pinch her cheek.
Then, as if by magic, he produced a long box. “A little surprise.”
Elena took the box without a word and opened it. Inside was a breathtaking diamond necklace. She recognized it instantly as the latest limited edition from Solara.
Justin stood and drew her into a hug, lowering his head as if to kiss her forehead, but she turned away. She felt nothing but disgust.
Justin’s eyes darkened slightly. “Lena?”
Over the years, he’d given her countless gifts. Each one brought her surprise and joy. So, why did this time
feel different?
“Thank you. I really like it,” Elena said, lowering her gaze as she closed the box. “But this is the office. Let’s not get too cozy.”
Justin smiled and reached up to run his fingers through her hair. “You’re always so thoughtful.”
Back at her desk, she set the box with the necklace aside without thinking. She had to admit, Justin really
did know her tastes..
If she hadn’t known he’d betrayed her, getting this necklace would’ve made her just as happy as she
always was when he gave her gifts.
On her lunch break, Elena went through all of Justin’s social media, looking for anything unusual, but there
was nothing. Besides his work posts, it was all about her.
He often posted about them as a couple, much to the eye-rolling of his friends. But scrolling through
those once-cherished moments, she felt nothing but numbness.
Then a post grabbed Elena’s attention. One of the likes was from an avatar showing a pale, delicate hand
holding a necklace. The necklace looked just like the one Justin had given her.
A pang of suspicion hit, and she clicked into the person’s profile. The latest post, from just a day ago,
read, “Someone sent me this necklace from miles away. I love it so much!”
The necklace in the photo was exactly like the one Justin had just given her. It was the latest limited edition product from Solara. There were only two in existence,
Elena couldn’t help laughing out loud. Justin had gotten one for her and the other for another woman. Was this his idea of sharing the love?
She exited the app and booked a flight for a month later. She still had a project with her team that wouldn’t be finished for another month. It was everyone’s hard work, so she couldn’t just walk away.
But in a month, she’d be gone. She’d leave this place and leave Justin behind for good.
After booking the ticket, Elena opened a chat window.
“Dad, I’ve decided. I’ll come home and help run the family business. I’ll go along with the arranged marriage, too.”
