"Settled down?" I let out a dry laugh. "Not in my plans at the moment."

"So you're just going to keep clinging to something that was never yours?"

I blinked.

Then it clicked. She'd misread me completely.

"What I mean is, I'm not looking to get married because my career is still taking off. That's all."

Eileen studied me for a long moment.

She laughed suddenly.

"Don't you think that's a pathetic excuse?"

I froze.

"The CEO of Apex is a man around your age. Even he has his mind on settling down. So what exactly are you pretending for?"

I couldn't find a rebuttal.

Everyone knew I'd been lovesick for years. The problem was, now that I'd finally come to my senses, nobody believed it. Not even my own business partner.

"Let me make this clear, Russ."

She lifted her chin.

"I didn't like you before, and now that I'm engaged, there's even less of a chance. If you keep throwing yourself at me, I'll only despise you more. Unless..."

Her eyes narrowed. "You think you can be my side piece?"

In that moment, I understood myself even less than before.

This woman standing in front of me.

Shallow. Arrogant. Completely classless.

Why had I torn myself apart fighting with Marcus over her?

A cold laugh escaped my throat.

I turned and walked away.

My partner would have to come apologize on her own time.

I stood at the banquet, quietly nursing a drink.

A snap of fingers.

Seven or eight women descended on me, surrounding me on all sides.

"Well, if it isn't the eldest Farley son. Eileen's engagement party, and you actually showed up."

"We were all betting you'd be too heartbroken to come."

"Looks like the eldest young master is still carrying that torch."

A hand slid onto my thigh.

I shoved it away in irritation.

"Ooh, a few years studying abroad and suddenly he's too good for us!"

"This isn't like the old days when you were begging us to put in a good word for you."

Back when I was hopelessly in love with Eileen, I hadn't just groveled for her. I'd groveled for her entire circle. Marcus was the multi-talented one, the one I could never measure up to. My only hope had been these women, convincing them to say something kind about me in front of Eileen.

I'd memorized all of Eileen's hobbies.

I'd memorized all of their hobbies too.

Every year I sent lavish gifts, practically bribing them to help me leave a good impression.

Looking back now, I genuinely couldn't fathom the person I used to be.