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Chapter 16
A gentle female voice broke through the downpout beside Lance. He turned slowly to find Hedy holding an umbrella over him
Looking at his vacant eyes, Hedy felt a bitter lump in her throat that she couldn’t swallow or spit out]
Today should have been the happiest day of her life. From this day forward, she would no longer be Lance’s stepsister but Mrs. Rhodes, finally standing proudly by his side.]
But her groom had fled their wedding.
She’d taken an overnight private jet to England, only to find him standing like a ghost outside the Orlando estate.
Why was he so obsessed with Anthea when she clearly didn’t love him anymore?
“Can’t you just turn around and see me for once?” she pleaded.[]
Gone was Hedy’s previous smugness, replaced by endless humiliation.[]
She thought, even if Lance didn’t love her now, they shared years of history. They had a lifetime ahead of them–surely he would grow to love her eventually.
But Lance crushed her hopes with his answer.[]
“Hedy, what happened between us was a mistake. Forcing this won’t end well for either of us.“]
Hedy refused to accept it. She hurled the umbrella at him, screaming through her tears. “What about you?!“[]
“She doesn’t love you anymore! Why can’t you just move on? Lance, you have no choice but to be with me!”
Lance didn’t react. He didn’t even glance at her as he walked away into the curtain of rain.
“LANCE!”
No matter how desperately Hedy screamed his name, he never once paused.
Her entire body shook violently as she dug her nails into her palms, fighting for control.
Finally, she turned to look at the mansion one last time before disappearing into the rain herself.]
Anthea thought she’d made herself perfectly clear. She never expected to run into Lance again at a charity gala.[]
Hedy was right beside him, vigilantly warding off any woman who came near.[]
Anthea tried to pretend she hadn’t seen them and turned toward another guest, but a long arm suddenly blocked her path.[]
“Anthea.”
Lance made her stop in her tracks, but her eyes never left Hedy’s face.
Jealousy, vigilance, anxiety–every emotion imaginable played across the other woman’s features.]]
For a moment, Anthea saw her former self in Hedy, guarding against every woman who approached Lance.
While completely missing Hedy.]
She pulled her eyes away and looked up at Lance. “Excuse me, Mr. Rhodes.“]
The formal address visibly pained him. “Anthea, must we really be so distant?“]
Distant?
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A cold smile curled Anthea’s lips.
“If calling you ‘Mr. Rhodes‘ counts as distant, then what would you call your attitude toward me during our marriage?”
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“And we’re not even married anymore. You have your own wife now. Ten’t maintaining basic boundaries appropriate? “[]
Tired of this pointless exchange, Anthen pushed his atm away and walked off]]
Anthral
Lance reached out to stop her, but Hedy wasn’t having it. She clung to him, desperately holding onto his arm. “Lance, I’m your wife now![]
Het pathetic words made Lance frown. He stared coldly at the tearful woman before him.]
For the first time, he found Hedy’s crying irritating.]
Anthea never cried like this. Even when he’d sent her away for Hedy’s sake, she’d always handled herself with grace.[]
Hedy cried louder the more he ignored her.[]
Their commotion quickly drew a crowd of onlookers.[]
The scandal of the Rhodes stepsiblings‘ marriage was already a joke among the rich and elite.
Though too well–mannered to gossip openly, their mocking glances made Lance deeply uncomfortable.[]
As the Rhodes heir, he’d always been the center of admiration at social events. This was the first time he’d been scrutinized with such judgment.[]
Taking a deep breath, he ripped Hedy’s arms off him.]
“Hedy, I’m telling you for the last time: we are not married, you are not my wife, and we will never be together.”
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