“Lex Blackburn fell in love with her when they were both seventeen and he’s been head over heels for her ever since,” one of the women explained with pride. “He built her a castle-like mansion just to prove his devotion. When she mentioned a certain restaurant she loved, he didn’t just take her there—he bought it. And every other restaurant she liked, too, just so she could always get exactly what she wanted. She’s a picky eater, you see.”
Another lady chimed in with a knowing smile. “He rented out an entire mountain to give her a private view of a meteor shower the first time she was hospitalized because of leukemia.”
The first lady nodded. “Lex donated so much bone marrow to her that it nearly killed him. That man worships her. After ten years of chasing her, he finally got her to say yes. Their wedding is in ten days and the whole city is celebrating their love story. Those videos you’ve been seeing? They’re totally his style. Mr. Blackburn’s signature move for expressing his love.”
Hearing their chatter, I bit back a bitter smile. The words stung, but I didn’t want to show it.
I glanced up just as the romantic video reached the moment from a month ago when Lex had proposed to me. The man—always decisive, always commanding in front of others—knelt before me with a diamond ring in his hand, tears streaming down his face as he poured his heart out.
Abandoned by my parents at an orphanage as a child, I had believed that no one in this world would ever truly love me. But Lex had barged into my life with a love so overwhelming, so grand, that it shattered my defenses. When I nodded, accepting his proposal, he crushed me into his arms, kissing me like he would never let me go.
“Tara, when you say ‘yes,’ you’re mine forever. I promise you, you’re the only one for me in this lifetime. And you absolutely, absolutely can’t leave me. If you do, I’m a hundred percent sure I’ll die.”
For the first time in my life, I thought I had found happiness. Lex had spent ten years proving his love and I had let myself believe it was real. But just hours after his proposal, everything shattered.
Phoebe Stokes, his secretary, called me to the rooftop of the office building. Through the one-way, floor-to-ceiling glass, I saw the truth.
Lex and Phoebe—entwined in an intimate embrace. Lex’s hands gripped her hips tightly as she smirked toward the glass—toward me.