A Love That WS Sacrificed

e cold and rehearsed. Everyone around her saw a charming billionaire, a man too composed for his own good, t

nt was elegance. That maybe love didn't always come in laughter and wa

with lips that never trembled. Three months ago, she believed she had won the heart of Lucien Thorne-the e

his penthouse, barefoot on the cold marble floor,

ands

e it had been drag

undeniable proof that her entire marriage was a transaction

hter of the man

alked right i

se quickened. She turned around-and there he was. Lucien, in his tailored

, Calysta?" he asked, v

, but her voice cr

"That depends. What

s part of a deal. That you married me to humiliate my father. T

had merely accused him of being late for dinne

escaped her.

first time since she met him, she was afraid-not

she whispered. "Or were you planning to throw it

nd, something shifted in his expression. Guilt? Pit

ive move," he said. "Your father took everyth

ver her like a tidal wave. "You could've

is voice dropping. "But where

ears. "I loved you," she said, h

hought

ploded bet

he final crack

eless home. But all she could do was stare at the man she had once thoug

d watched

ntasy while he stood behind th

onster," sh

nsters don't wear rings,

m her finger. She threw it at him-it hit his chest

ot him," she spat. "But you? You're worse. Becau

d a hand. "Don't. You got what you wa

s parted like he was going to say

between them now wasn't empty-it was fille

ving?" he a

ked toward the door, each

?" he asked again,

her voice steady despite the pain.

she wal

s trap. Out of the perfect lie

er planned to fall for her. And now that she was

regret.

hing far mor

ven he coul