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💔Marina stood outside the fitting room in the bridal shop, witnessing her future husband Lavern fooling around with another woman. "Lavern... does this wedding dress look better on me, or on your fiancée?" the woman asked. "Of course on you. I'm dying to be all over you; doesn't that prove how irresistible you are?" he said. Thrilled with his answer, the woman let out a flirtatious giggle. "I want you to remember me forever. On your wedding day, on your anniversaries, you'll always think back to today, to me." Marina listened to the soft moans from inside, feeling like she'd been plunged into an icy abyss. On the eve of their wedding, Lavern, who'd always seemed so devoted to family, had been taking frequent business trips. Turned out, he had a side piece. Fighting back the nausea churning in her stomach, Marina turned and walked away, heading to her car. They'd been together for seven years, building a business from scratch, hustling side by side to turn Ross Group into the success it was today. Her sister Elnora Finley had warned her that Lavern wasn't a good match, and there was still a message from her on the phone. Elnora: [The Finley family won't be attending your wedding to Lavern. You're on your own.] With red-rimmed eyes, Marina opened her phone and typed a reply. Marina: [I'm calling off the wedding.] It took a while for the response to come through. Elnora: [Come back to Vrufield in a month, and I'll believe you. Otherwise, we're through as sisters.] Marina sent back a simple [Okay] and pocketed her phone. She started the car and drove off. Meanwhile, Lavern stepped out of the bridal shop with his arm around the woman. Spotting the familiar license plate, he froze for a moment. In that brief hesitation, the car vanished into the distance. He shrugged off her hand from his arm, straightened his clothes, and slipped back into his polished, dignified facade. "I'll have my assistant drop you off." The woman whined, clinging to him. "Nooo, you promised we'd go shopping." Lavern lifted a hand, ruffling her hair, his eyes flashing with an unyielding chill. "Behave." She didn't dare push it, sulkily letting go and following his assistant away. Once she was gone, Lavern headed to his own car. Catching his reflection in the glossy paint, he saw no trace of debauchery in his sharp features; no hint of wine, women, or excess. Back at home, he spotted Marina's car in the garage. She was still in the driver's seat, staring at her phone. "You went out?" He opened the door, casually tossing his suit jacket onto the passenger seat before leaning in close. His black shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing glimpses of his toned muscles. No lingering signs of another woman on him. When she stayed silent, he leaned in for a kiss. Marina switched off her phone and held up a hand to stop him, her tone icy. "Are you scared of me going out?" He paused for a beat. "Of course not. You can head out whenever you want. I just worry you'll get bored without company." With that, he smiled, sliding an arm around her waist and cooing softly. "Tell me, who's got my darling all worked up?" Marina didn't respond, just staring at his strikingly handsome face, her eyes cold as frost. He was the same as ever, always quick to pick up on her mood swings, pinpoint the issue, fix it, and shower her with emotional reassurance. She shook her head, looking away, her voice flat and distant. "Lavern, you've been swamped lately. I don't see the point in going through with the wedding. I'm worried you won't have the bandwidth for it." Lavern thought Marina was being downright ungrateful at that moment. After all, he was a somebody now, a well-known figure. "Say that again!" His voice was laced with fury. Marina held his gaze without flinching. "There's no point in going through with our wedding. I'm worried you won't have the bandwidth for it." As she turned to leave, Lavern grabbed her arm, his anger flashing unmistakably in his eyes. He said, "I'm killing myself with work for our company, for our future. Do you want our kid to start off already behind the eight ball? "I just got back from a business trip, and instead of showing even a hint of concern, you're throwing a tantrum and being completely unreasonable. When did you become like this?" Marina stared at him, taking in his groundless accusations, and found the whole thing almost comical. Lavern standing before her felt like a total stranger, as if she'd never really known him at all. He was full of lies, just like so many other guys, cheating and then pinning all the blame on the other person, as if his betrayal had been unavoidable, like she'd forced him at knifepoint to sleep with someone else. The wedding was still two months away, and Elnora had given her a month to tie up loose ends here. In that time, she'd erase Lavern from her life completely. She marched straight upstairs to the bedroom and into the bathroom to wash up. Lavern trailed after her, slipping his arms around her from behind and softening his tone. "It's all my fault, Marina. I've been buried in work lately and haven't been paying attention to how you're feeling. Over the next few days, I'll clear my schedule of all commitments and come straight home after work to be with you, okay?" Marina looked up into the mirror at Lavern cooing at her with that gentle, placating voice. A sardonic smile tugged at her lips. "Why even bother? I..." Before she could finish, Lavern's phone rang, the ringtone was a warm, upbeat love song that had just gone viral. His old ringtones had always been those generic default sounds. Marina recalled their early, head-over-heels days, back when the company was just starting out. She'd suggested they both switch to a romantic duet, but he'd brushed it off, saying he met with clients too often and it wouldn't come across as professional. Turned out, it wasn't about professionalism at all; it just wasn't worth it for her. Lavern fished out his phone, glanced at the screen, and hung up. "Scam call." Marina pressed her lips into a thin line. She'd clearly caught the caller ID: [181 Seconds.] She just muttered "Oh" and dropped it. The phone rang again. He hung up, but it buzzed once more, and finally, he turned his back to answer it. He said, "We've got some major projects at the company right now; I'm swamped. I hope you can cut me a little slack. I'll stay late at the office tonight and head back first thing tomorrow to try on the wedding dress with you. Don't wait up; get some sleep." Marina didn't glance his way, just kept brushing her teeth. In the mirror, she saw him exit the bathroom and leave through the door. Once he was out, she pulled out her phone and searched online for the meaning of "181 Seconds." She immediately spotted the top explanation among the results. [People's passions usually fizzle out after three minutes, but you're my 181st second.] Marina swallowed the inexplicable pang in her chest and casually opened a real estate app, putting their current villa up for sale. In a month, she'd return to Vrufield, and none of the fixed assets in Sicester would matter to her anymore. She wanted nothing from this place, including Lavern. Chapter 2 Good As New The villa Marina'd put up for sale was priced hundreds of thousands dollars below market value, which quickly drew a flurry of private messages from interested buyers. By the time she'd responded to them all, it was the middle of the night. Still wide awake, Marina opened up a popular app that was blowing up among women lately. As soon as she logged in, a push notification for a post jumped out at her. [My lover's tying the knot in two months, but today I slipped into his fiancée's wedding dress and hooked up with him right there in the bridal shop! It was exhilarating and so taboo.] The comments section was filled with vitriol aimed at the poster, and a few people were even wishing the algorithm would shove it in the fiancée's face. Marina's hand shook as she clicked through to the poster's profile. She scrolled down fast until she reached the very first post; no text, just a single photo. It was of two hands clasped together, fingers intertwined. She immediately noticed the tiny mole on the man's index finger and the ring on his ring finger. The post dated back six months, only a week after Lavern had proposed to her. Marina stared blankly at her phone, her gaze shifting to the identical ring on her own finger as nausea welled up inside her. A second later, she ripped it off and flung it into the toilet, hitting the flush. She thought, 'No sense in hanging onto something already soiled.' The poster dropped an update not long after. Gone was the smug vibe from before; now the caption had a desperate, pleading edge. [Cut it out with the hate. We've got a deal; I'll hand him back to his fiancée good as new in a month.] The photo attached showed a man's back as he lay sprawled on a bed. That outline was so eerily familiar it sent a chill through Marina. She thought, 'Hand him back good as new?' She let out a snort. Right then, she got why people sometimes just laughed when words failed them completely. Lavern didn't come home that night. First thing in the morning, he called without a word of excuse, simply instructing her to meet him at the bridal shop. Marina got to the bridal shop a few minutes early. Her wedding gown was on display in the third-floor VIP area, looking regal and spotless, like it had never been tainted. "Ms. Finley, Mr. Ross is en route. Why don't we get you into the dress now? That way, he'll walk in and see you looking flawless right off the bat." The staffer was polite and deferential, though her eyes held a subtle flicker of pity. Marina kept her face neutral and shook her head. "No thanks." The idea turned her stomach. She'd barely gotten the words out when a strong arm snaked around her waist from behind, yanking her close. His familiar scent, mingled with the clean whiff of shower gel, hit her senses. "Why not? Marina, you have no idea how long I've been dreaming of this moment. Try it on for me, yeah?" Lavern said. Marina glanced over at Lavern next to her, who looked fresh as a daisy, not a trace of someone who'd supposedly worked through the night. She scoffed to herself. He wasn't alone, either; a young woman hovered a little ways back. She had on light blue jeans with a crisp white blouse, her face beaming with a sweet, innocent grin that screamed youth. Marina peered past Lavern, locking her frosty stare on the girl. She thought, 'Is this yet another sick twist in their little thrill-seeking game?' Lavern caught her looking, his hold on her waist tightening even as he kept his face relaxed. "She's a business partner's daughter. Her vibe reminds me of you from back in the day; figured you two might click, so I brought her along for intros." He beckoned her forward, and the girl scampered over eagerly, sticking out her hand to Marina. "Hey, Marina! I'm Shawna Thornton. So nice to meet you!" Marina ignored the handshake, averting her eyes and refusing to engage. Her tone was bland. "'Shawna', good name indeed. Guess not many guys can snap back to reality after they meet you." As she picked up on the jab, Shawna's face crumpled into a hurt pout. "Are you saying I'm some kind of man-stealer, Marina?" The arm around her waist dug in painfully. Marina shot a sideways glance at the irritation in his eyes, and only then did he loosen his grip, bending down to murmur gently in her ear. He said, "If you're pissed, save it for me at home, punch me, scream, whatever floats your boat. But she's sensitive; don't call her out like this in front of her. Let's focus on trying the dress for now." The staff shook off their stunned daze and quickly grabbed the wedding dress from the rack, motioning for Marina to try it on. Marina glanced over at Shawna, catching the way her eyes sparkled as they locked onto the gown in the staffer's grasp. A chill flickered in Marina's gaze, and she spoke up, "Like it?" Shawna didn't hesitate, blurting out her answer, "Yeah, I do." She snuck a quick, nervous peek at Lavern, spotting the icy edge in his stare, then tacked on timidly, laced with envy. "But not every girl's as fortunate as you, Marina, slipping into her dream dress and tying the knot with the guy she loves." Her eyes were downcast as she said it, her disappointment and hurt obvious to everyone. Marina flicked a sideways glance at Lavern next to her, his face a blank slate, then told the staff flatly, "I'm not up for it today; feeling off and don't want to fuss. Her figure's close to mine; let her model it instead." Just the idea of slipping into a dress they'd already sullied made her skin crawl, like she might catch something. The staff froze, unsure, and shot a cautious look at Lavern. He stared down at Marina, his expression turning stormy. But Shawna jumped right in, stepping forward with her trademark sugary smile. "Awesome! It's a real privilege to try it on for you, Marina." And with that, she reached out for the gown. The staff were speechless. At a loss, they turned imploring eyes toward Lavern. His dark eyes gleamed with a frosty warning, his whole vibe dark and brooding. Shawna nibbled her lip, looking totally flustered. Marina brushed off the hand circling her waist, sank onto a nearby sofa, and nudged her along. "Well, get to it." That perked Shawna right up; she snatched the dress from the staff and ducked into the fitting room. Lavern furrowed his brow and sat down beside Marina, ready to air his grievances, but she beat him to it, looking up with a smirk that didn't reach her eyes. "Aren't you gonna go in and help her out?" Her words landed like a bomb, leaving everyone frozen in awkward silence. The employees who'd handled Lavern and Shawna the day before were dying inside, barely holding back a gasp. They thought, 'Thank goodness we didn't call out sick; we have prime seats for this meltdown.' Lavern's brows knitted tighter, his lips thinning out, his tone guarded. "Marina, what the hell are you getting at?" "Oh, nothing. Just thought you'd jump at the chance to assist." Marina flashed a smile, then flagged down a staffer for a coffee. The fitting room's heavy curtain whooshed open, and there stood Shawna in the middle, all coy and composed, her grin sweeter than candy. The gown, custom-made for Marina, hugged her like it was meant for Shawna all along. Marina tilted her head toward Lavern, her smile cold as ice, and asked, "Doesn't she look stunning?" He kept his face like thunder, refusing to glance over, his voice deep and refined. "Marina, what game are you playing here?" Marina ignored him, cradling her coffee as she sauntered over to Shawna. As she got close, Shawna flung her hands up to shield her face, expecting a scalding splash. But no burn came; instead, shocked gasps filled the room. Shawna dropped her hands and glanced down, horrified at the pricey gown now marred by gross brown stains. Staffers swarmed in with tissues, dabbing frantically, but the spots were stubborn. Marina fixed her with a blank stare and sneered. "How exactly do you plan to give back something this trashed and expect it to be 'good as new'?" Shawna went pale as a ghost, frozen in place, clueless what to do next. Lavern's frown deepened as he marched over, stone-faced, snatching Marina's wrist and yanking her toward the door. In a swift move, Marina swung her free hand and slapped him hard across the cheek. The smack rang out sharp and clear. The room fell deathly quiet. She'd thrown everything into it; her palm buzzed with numbness. Lavern shot her a glare, his face a storm cloud, eyes colder than she'd ever seen. The shop staff averted their eyes from his fury, and even Shawna didn't dare breathe. Since Ross Group had taken root in Sicester, no one had dared humiliate him in public; let alone with a woman's slap. Marina held his brutal, ice-cold gaze, her pulse racing. The power gap was huge; if he struck back, she'd be done for. Lavern noticed her fluttering lashes, exhaled softly, and slid his arm around her waist. "Feeling any better?" Chapter 3 Someone Who Doesn't Matter "No," Marina responded. She thought, 'Just one slap? How could that possibly make me feel any better?' Lavern took the hand she'd just slapped him with and brushed a soft kiss across her palm. "Did that sting? Once we're home, I'll ice it for you and explain everything properly, alright? No need to get worked up over someone who doesn't matter." Marina dropped her gaze, a flicker of sorrow crossing her eyes. She thought, 'This must be that age-old guy thing, unless you catch them in the act, they'll never admit they're wrong.' "Someone who doesn't matter? You mean Ms. Thornton?" Marina tilted her head, eyeing Shawna's face. Shawna stood there, pale as a sheet, rigid like a mannequin, all the earlier defiance in her stare when she'd first strutted into the shop completely gone. "Yes." Lavern's answer landed firm and without a hint of waver. Shawna blanched even further. As they stepped out of the bridal shop, Marina headed straight for her car. Lavern grabbed her hand, pulling her close with unyielding force. "Ride with me; I'll drive you home." She tried to wrench free, but his grip was ironclad; she couldn't shake him off and ended up being hauled over to his car. Lavern popped the passenger door. Sitting right there on the sleek gray-and-black seat was a pink-and-white hair clip. He reached in without a rush, picking it up like it was nothing. Marina let out a scoff. "Might want to give it a once-over, check for any other personal goodies hidden away? If I stumble on some underwear in there, I'll need therapy for my eyes." Lavern, who'd been playing it cool up till now, suddenly blew up like a cat whose tail got yanked. "Marina, why does your mind always dive straight into the dirt? "I love you, but I won't put up with this. What happened today is a one-off, and it better stay that way. Ross Group's right on the verge of breaking through to the next level, and I can't dodge having female colleagues or partners in the mix. "You embarrassed Shawna today, and I'm overlooking it because she's just entry-level. But if you pull the same crap on some influential woman you suspect down the line, going all impulsive like that, how's Ross Group supposed to keep growing?" Marina held his stare calmly, her bright, clear eyes iced over. It was dawning on her just how masterful Lavern was at gaslighting. She didn't argue or hop into his ride. Instead, she turned sharply, slid back into her own car, started it up, and sped off. With people milling about outside the bridal shop, Lavern didn't bother chasing after her to save face. He jerked his door open, scowling like a storm cloud. As he leaned in to get behind the wheel, he caught sight of Shawna emerging from the shop, her pretty face drained of color. He paused for a second, then waved her over. "Get in." Meanwhile, Marina frowned at the black luxury car ahead, its back bumper dented in, license plate a string of "8"s. She'd spaced out for just a moment and rear-ended it. Full blame on her; she'd have to pay up for letting her mind wander. She swung her door open, stepped out, and began apologizing to the driver climbing out of the other vehicle. "Sorry, I..." The other driver gave her a quick once-over but didn't say a word, instead respectfully swinging open the rear door. Out stepped a tall, striking figure. The man's shirt was buttoned meticulously to the top, his chiseled features set in an air of unapproachable indifference. The moment she laid eyes on him, a flash of memory hit Marina. She thought, 'I know this guy; he is Dar...' Before she could get a word out, he'd already strode away, lounging casually against the roadside barrier with his phone pressed to his ear in his left hand. A light breeze occasionally ruffled his tousled hair, revealing his broad forehead. "Miss, just hit me up once the car's fixed, and I'll set up a time for you to grab it." The driver passed her a business card. Marina snuck a glance over there. The man was deep in his call, must've been hitting a snag, given his subtle frown, and now and then, he'd idly poke at a bird chilling on the railing. Ten minutes later, a sleek van rolled up. He hopped in without a hitch, while the driver stuck around to wrap things up. Right before sliding in, his eyes flicked her way, and Marina dodged the gaze, feeling oddly guilty. By the time all the paperwork was done and details noted, it was well into the night when she finally made it home. Lavern had pinged her with another message in the meantime, but Marina ignored it again. She was wiped out. After a quick wash-up, she crashed onto the bed and sank into a deep sleep. The next day, she lined up viewings for interested buyers through the real estate app and, in the process, purged and ditched a ton of stuff. Most of it was cheap trinkets Lavern had gifted her back in their college days. Things she'd once cherished, but now that she'd seen him for who he really was, they just came off as tacky and worthless, like Lavern himself. Three days later, Lavern walked in to find Marina out in the garden, tending to some newly bloomed roses. He approached from behind, slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her close affectionately. "Babe, miss me?" Marina scoffed coldly. "With a lovely sidepiece keeping you company, why would you need me pining away? You'd probably rather I forget you exist so I don't interrupt your cozy rendezvous." Her voice was detached as she replied, and in his split-second lapse, she twisted free from his embrace. A subtle whiff of women's perfume clung to him, drifting over and making her queasy. Lavern reacted lightning-fast, grabbing her waist and hauling her back against him. His firm muscles radiated heat even through his shirt. Marina wriggled, but he just clamped down harder around her waist, pinning her in place. "You're the only one I love. Cut it out, okay?" He bent slightly, whispering in her ear, his tone low and sultry as he tried to placate her. Marina's fingers dug in tight, and a rose thorn pierced her skin, drawing a bead of blood. The sharp pain in her fingertip still couldn't drown out the revulsion bubbling up inside. She dropped her hand, letting the rose stems scatter across the ground. Lavern noticed, lifting her hand to check the cut on her finger, his brow creasing. He leaned down, about to suck the blood from her still-oozing fingertip. The instant her finger grazed his warm lips, Marina's face contorted. She thought, 'How could he spend three days fooling around with Shawna and then come back here, acting all lovey-dovey like it was nothing? 'Who knows how many kisses those lips have shared with Shawna? Disgusting! Utterly disgusting!' In a pure reflex, Marina lashed out quick and sharp, slapping him hard across his sharp, handsome face. Her palm buzzed with numbness. He didn't move a muscle, just stared her down with a face like stone, his eyes filled with an indescribable chill. Chapter 4 She's Gone Marina bit back the impulse to unleash a full-blown screaming match and turned on her heel, heading into the house. These past three days, Lavern had been swamped, but she hadn't exactly been twiddling her thumbs. Photos of him and Shawna slipping in and out of some apartment together had been pouring into her phone nonstop. With their wedding right around the corner, he was cool as a cucumber about cohabiting with v, treating it like his last hurrah before the "ball and chain" of marriage. Lavern trailed after her inside, rummaged through the cabinet for the first-aid kit, grabbed some iodine and cotton swabs, and approached with a grim look on his face. Without a peep, he snatched her hand and started cleaning the wound. "You adore these hands; don't go injuring yourself just to spite me." A sardonic smile curved Marina's lips. "Aren't you the one doing the hurting?" She didn't harp on it, instead snagging a document from nearby and thrusting it under his nose. "Review the terms. If it's all good, sign on the dotted line." Lavern took it, his striking brows furrowing as he skimmed the contents. "A property split agreement?" Marina murmured a soft "Yeah." He tossed the file aside with a chuckle. "We're on the brink of tying the knot; what's the point of this?" He'd chalked up her words from that day to just blowing off steam. He thought, 'Seven years together; she won't actually bail on me.' Marina locked eyes with him, staying neutral, and simply echoed his reasoning. "Precisely because we're getting married, we need this in place. Premarital assets stay personal, after all." She knew damn well that only by actually leaving would he grasp that her threats weren't idle. His gaze turned frosty as he eyed her, a smirk twisting his lips, but he didn't waver, agreeing without a beat. "Fine." Marina slid him the pen. Lavern shot her a look, shoving down his annoyance, scribbled his signature, and handed it back. "That ought to smooth things over, yeah?" He moved to wrap her in a hug. Marina snatched the document and sidestepped his advance. "I'll swing by the notary to get this official. I'll loop you in when it's ready; hope you can play along." Lavern's expression soured in an instant. "You don't trust me even that much?" Marina stayed mum, just tucking the file away in a sealable bag like it was gold. Her move said it all. Lavern's face went cold as he towered over her calm features, a hint of mockery playing at his mouth. "Marina, don't you think you've turned awfully greedy and shallow these days?" She met his piercing dark eyes head-on, unfazed by the digs he was throwing, and replied coolly, "These days, love alone isn't enough to keep you going, like surviving on water, power and money are the true essentials for life." She thought, 'A man's love is far too fickle; only material things and money will never betray you.' Lavern's face darkened completely. Marina grabbed the file folder and headed upstairs, pausing briefly beside him. "I didn't make dinner for you. Fend for yourself." With that, she continued up without a backward glance. Lavern's expression grew ominously dark, and when he stormed out, he slammed the door with a resounding bang that rattled the whole house. Marina wasn't bothered. After stowing the files in the safe, she went to see her grandmother Alyssa Finley. She wanted to talk about moving to Vrufield. Her mother Kathy Finley had passed away from cancer not long after the divorce. Marina was still in high school back then, and ever since, she and Alyssa had depended on each other. The old courtyard stood in shadowy outline against the fading sunset. Alyssa lay on a lounger, taking in the beauty of the evening sky. "Marina, is that you? Where's Lavern?" Usually, Lavern came along to visit Alyssa, nearly every week, without fail. Not wanting to worry her, Marina lowered her gaze and replied calmly, as if everything were normal. "He's tied up with work." Alyssa paused for a moment, then rambled on a bit before insisting she see Lavern; she had something important to tell him. Marina couldn't talk her out of it, so she dialed his number. No one answered, and she didn't bother trying again. After steadying her emotions, she turned back with a forced smile. "Grandma, he..." Alyssa, who had just been chatting with her, now lay still with her eyes closed in the sunset's fading light. Her hand hung limply over the side of the chair, her face serene as if she were merely dozing. Marina's heart lurched inexplicably, her mind flashing back to the moment Kathy had died. "Grandma..." Her voice shook as she reached for her hand. It was still warm, but utterly unresponsive. When the paramedics arrived, they confirmed it was a natural death and offered their sympathies, urging her to take care. One moment they'd been talking; the next, she was gone. On impulse, Marina tried calling Lavern again. But when the line connected, it was Shawna's voice that answered. "Marina, what's going on? The boss and I are on our way to the neighboring city..." The instant she heard that voice, Marina's face drained of color, and she hung up without a word. Instead, she called Elnora in Vrufield. When it connected, she managed in a choked voice, "Elnora, Grandma's gone." Elnora responded, "I'll be there as soon as I can." After hanging up, Marina covered her face and sank to a crouch beside Alyssa's body, pressing her face into the stiffening form as her shoulders heaved with sobs. Never in her life had she felt such deep regret. For a man like Lavern, she'd turned her back on the family who truly loved her. Chapter 5 Shit Sandwiches It had been a full week by the time Alyssa's funeral arrangements were wrapped up. The Finley family now relied entirely on Elnora for support. As soon as everything was done, she rushed back to Vrufield without missing a beat. Before heading out, she left Marina with a few firm pieces of advice. Pale-faced, Marina promised her she'd return on schedule and cut ties cleanly. Back at the villa after the airport, she found the purple roses in the yard wilted from a week's neglect. Purple roses stood for protecting love. Lavern had planted them himself when they'd first bought the place. As she gazed at the faded, yellowed petals, a mocking glint flashed in Marina's eyes. She marched over, ripped out every bush by the roots, and dumped them in the trash. Then she pulled out her phone and made a call. She said, "Hello? I'll accept the price you quoted last time. If we can swing it, I'd like to sign the contract and handle the transfer ASAP." The other side agreed and set a time. After hanging up, Marina headed upstairs to pack. She collected all her valuables and stashed them back at Alyssa's little cottage, while anything linked to Lavern got tossed out like trash. When Lavern's assistant arrived, the bin by the villa's entrance was overflowing. He shot it a puzzled glance, then looked again. He wondered, 'Why do those clothes seem so familiar?' Catching sight of Marina, he called out, "Mrs..." She raised a hand to stop him. "It's Ms. Finley." "Ms. Finley, Mr. Ross has a party tonight. He sent me to grab a suit; could you help put an outfit together?" Her face stayed impassive. "Why not come get it himself?" The assistant ducked his head guiltily. "He just got back from his trip to the neighboring city and went straight to the office for some urgent work." Marina replied coolly, "Oh, really? I thought he was too busy enjoying himself to care." The assistant avoided her gaze. She wasn't about to give him a hard time, though. With a glance at the trash bin, she said flatly, "Dig around in there." Following her eyes, he saw the property crew already carting off the full bin. "What?" He looked baffled. Marina added casually, "Better hurry, or someone else will snatch up the good ones." With that, she slipped past him. A moment later, she fired up her car and drove away. The assistant's face twitched in frustration. To finish the job Lavern had assigned, he had no choice but to chase down the hauled-away bins. At Ross Group headquarters, clutching the suit he'd wrested from a scavenger's grasp, the assistant stepped into Lavern's office. All the stuff Marina had ditched was high-end, and the scavengers had swarmed like mad. In the chaos, someone elbowed him hard, right in the eye, and now his socket was swollen and red. "Mr. Ross..." As he spotted Lavern and Shawna huddled close, heads practically touching, resentment flared up inside him. He thought, 'Mr. Ross is the one playing around, but I'm the one taking the heat.' At the sound of his voice, Lavern looked up from reviewing project details with Shawna, pausing at his assistant's battered appearance. "Did Marina do that to you?" Shawna looked shocked, then gave him a sympathetic glance. She thought, 'Marina is nuts, back at the bridal shop, she randomly splashed coffee all over me.' The assistant let out an internal sigh. He almost wished it had been Marina who'd roughed him up. Before joining Lavern, he'd been her assistant. Six months ago, when Marina's health issues flared up, he'd been transferred over to work for Lavern. In the half-year since, he'd had a front-row seat to Lavern and Shawna's relationship blossoming into what it was now. He couldn't shake the guilt of letting down Marina, who'd given him his start and trusted him. "No, I just accidentally bumped into something." A flicker of disappointment crossed Shawna's eyes, but she had the sense to stay silent. Lavern gave a slight nod, terse as ever. "Be careful out there." The assistant opened his mouth, wavering on whether to spill everything he'd witnessed. Right then, reps from several fashion brands walked in, gowns in hand. They stood in a row before Lavern and Shawna, showcasing the newest custom designs. Shawna's gloomy look vanished, replaced by sheer excitement. Lavern, charmed by her reaction, arched an eyebrow, his intense gaze softening with amusement. "Choose one. You're joining me at an event tonight." Shawna's eyes lit up as she stared at him with starry-eyed admiration. "Really... that's alright?" Lavern reached over and tousled her hair. "Absolutely." With his go-ahead, Shawna got up from her seat and started browsing the dresses. The assistant bit back his words and quietly slipped out of the office. That evening, Marina's close friend, a pro in handling corporate mergers and acquisitions, invited her to an auction gala. The timing couldn't have been better; Marina needed her take on the value of her Ross Group stock. She was set on unloading every last share she held in Ross Group, and with her friend's expertise, she'd rake in way more than if she handled it solo. At the event venue, Marina made a beeline for the second-floor VIP box her friend had specified. She swung open the door to find her friend alone on the couch, her face stormy. "Who got under your..." Marina started. The walls were thin on soundproofing, and before she could finish, chatter filtered through from the next box over. "Lavern, you really know how to enjoy life. Wedding's next month, and here you are with a stunner like Ms. Thornton keeping you company. She's all sweetness and light, happy to tag along without any strings; doesn't shock me one bit. But spill: how do you juggle the wife back home? Give your buddies some pointers." Lavern didn't respond, but the bootlickers around him piled on. "Even if Lavern schooled you, you'd never pull it off without his charisma. Marina's crazy about him; she'd die if he left her. No chance she'd rock the boat. "A guy's gotta be like Lavern: solid red flag waving at home, while the rainbow ones fly free outside." Her friend, Kara Gross, went livid and jumped up from her seat. Marina yanked her back by the arm, her skirt accidentally sweeping a coffee cup off the table with a sharp clatter. Lavern's low voice broke through, "Cut the crap. Let's just enjoy the auction pieces." Kara was steaming, but one look at Marina's serene expression told her the truth; Marina had known for ages. She scowled. "And you're okay with just swallowing this?" Marina answered evenly, pitching her voice to carry through the wall. "Life serves up shit sandwiches now and then. If you don't play it cool and handle it fast, what, you gonna broadcast to everyone that you've got a mouthful?" Next door, the room fell pin-drop quiet. Chapter 6 Irresistible Garbage The auction suites were divided by sliding panels that could be moved aside. Everyone there was either loaded or powerful, but there were also plenty who'd shelled out big bucks just for a shot at rubbing elbows with the elite. The hosts were all too eager to make those connections happen. So, if both parties were game, all it took was unlocking the panel and pushing it open. After a long, awkward pause, a knock came from the adjoining suite. Marina wasn't about to acknowledge it. Kara, though, stood up, flipped the lock, and nudged the panel open a crack. Marina quirked an eyebrow and peeked over, locking eyes with Lavern, who stood there with a piercing stare. Annoyance lurked in his features, his whole demeanor dark and stormy. She raised a brow but kept her cool, regarding him like some random passerby. She glanced away nonchalantly and turned to Kara. "Aren't you gonna sit back down and scope out the auction pieces?" Kara flashed a grin, obviously thrilled. "I'm dying to know; what kind of garbage is so irresistible that folks are scrambling for it?" She and Marina had been thick as thieves since childhood. A few years ago, when Kara found out Marina had scrapped her move back to Vrufield over Lavern, she'd been so pissed she'd gone radio silent on her. They'd mended fences eventually, but Kara had no desire to lay eyes on Lavern. This was their first run-in. Marina was speechless. Kara's dig had accidentally looped her in as well. Lavern's expression soured, his intense gaze drilling into Marina as he moved to step across. With a icy smirk, Kara thrust out a hand to block him, her bodyguards emerging from the suite's dim corners to back her up. "This is my private suite, not a free-for-all where any trash can just stroll in." Lavern's face tightened, his stare fixed on the elegant Marina lounging in her seat. "Marina, get over here." A subtle smile tugged at Marina's lips as she murmured back. "If I headed your way, that fragile little fling of yours might not wave so brightly. Wouldn't dream of raining on your parade." Shawna blanched on the spot, her posture going rigid. Lavern wasn't faring much better, his jaw set as he shot her a hard glare. Kara motioned for her guards to slide the panel shut, but Lavern coolly held it back with one hand. The air grew thick with tension. He pinned Marina with a look. "You really not coming over?" It was the classic warning sign that his temper was about to erupt. She nodded firmly. "Dead certain." Back in the day, she'd twisted herself into knots to soothe him and dodge his moods, which had slowly eroded what they had. Now, if he dropped dead from rage right there, she wouldn't so much as flinch. "Mrs. Ross, we were only messing around. Mr. Ross's tying the knot with you soon; there's no way he'd..." The same guy who'd been begging Lavern for tips on balancing two women now scrambled to cover for him. Kara jumped in before he could finish. "Zip it and quit talking crap. Marina here's still single; don't drag her down by tying her to a lowlife." Her words rang out loud enough that the nearby suites went hush. Lavern's expression froze, but eyeing Kara's looming security detail, he kept his mouth shut. He'd clocked the badges on those guards immediately; they hailed from the nation's top-tier protection agency. Hiring them ran into seven figures; only old-money families could swing that kind of expense. He wondered, 'Isn't Marina from some regular background, grinding from the ground up with Lavern? How is she linked to someone this high-powered? And they look chummy as hell.' The rest of the group, who'd been gearing up to jump in, smartly clammed up. Shawna stood up from her seat, her eyes red and puffy, wearing an expression of deep humiliation. She said, "Mr. Ross, please don't fight with Marina because of me; it's just handing people ammo to mock us. This is all my fault; I never should have come. I'll head out right now." Lavern furrowed his brow, his hold on the panel easing up slightly. Marina got to her feet. His softening demeanor snapped back to rigid; he figured she wouldn't make him lose face in front of everyone, and to keep her from getting upset, he'd obviously have Shawna leave. But all she did was stride over, grab the panel, and slam it shut with a firm click, locking it tight and cutting off his view. "Marina!" His enraged bellow thundered from the other side. Unruffled, Marina settled back into her chair. Kara trailed after her, grinning ear to ear with satisfaction, and dropped into the seat next to her. "I half-expected you to cave and go over there." Marina stayed composed, her gaze fixed on the auction podium. "Do I strike you as that desperate?" Sensing Marina's subdued vibe, Kara sidled closer, slung an arm around her shoulders, and leaned in cheek to cheek. "Hell no. If anything, you just had a temporary case of bad judgment." Marina was speechless. With the auction kicking off in just a few minutes, the racket from next door refused to let up. Shawna let out soft, muffled sobs. "It's all on me for sparking this argument between you and Ms. Finley. I have to go apologize to her face-to-face and clear up that there's absolutely nothing going on between us." The others stayed mum, leaving only Lavern to reply in a frosty tone, "Don't bother." The auction shifted into its teaser segment. Every so often, Shawna's hushed whimpers filtered through. Finally, one of the event staff rapped on Lavern's door. "Mr. Ross, we've received reports that the disturbance from your suite is interfering with the proceedings. We'd appreciate it if you and your group could tone it down. Best of luck bidding on your favorites." Lavern's face darkened to a stormy gray. Shawna went rigid, still smarting from Marina's earlier barb, and now seething that some mere attendant had the nerve to lecture them. "We're not the only ones making a fuss!" Someone else jumped in. "Maybe that clown's just angling for an intro to Mr. Ross? Fine, let's throw him a bone; tell him Mr. Ross will foot his suite bill, but only if he drags himself over here to say sorry in person. Then we're square." The hubbub carried over to Marina, drawing a frown from her. Lavern didn't utter a word. Since Ross Group's IPO, he'd been swarmed by these sycophants. Their cocky attitudes were bound to backfire someday. The staffer tossed in a couple more courteous remarks and took off. To his credit, Lavern played it smart, no further noise erupted from their end. Instead, he pivoted to a new game: purposely outbidding Marina and Kara. Every time they lifted a paddle, he'd swoop in and jack up the price. More than a few lots she'd eyed went straight to him. He appeared to be loving every minute, even firing off a smug text. Lavern: [Spot anything else? I'll outbid everyone and hand it over to you.] Marina fired back: [Not a fan of any of that trash you just grabbed.] Lavern: [This is deliberate, isn't it?] She eyed her phone but ignored it, hoisting her paddle once more. This round, Lavern held back, letting her claim the piece she'd wanted. The bracelet was spot-on for Elnora, a thoughtful souvenir for her return to Vrufield. Lavern: [Bet you thought I'd compete?] Marina: [Appreciate you bowing out, Mr. Ross. Scored my top pick for a bargain.] No reply came this time. Marina could practically see him fuming, his face iced over in frustration. Chapter 7 The Picture Of Selflessness The staff was prompt; they swiftly brought over a card reader for Marina to pay with and delivered the item on the spot. She'd barely finished signing off when her attention snapped back to the stage for the next lot. The gemstone necklace the auctioneer was showcasing turned out to be Kathy's heirloom. She didn't hesitate, lifting her paddle right away. This time, Lavern went all in. After a few back-and-forth bids, he hit a extremely high price. Whispers buzzed through the room. Marina dropped her hand, conceding, then got up and rapped on the dividing panel to the neighboring suite. No one slid it open. Seconds later, a new bidder entered the fray. Round after round, the price skyrocketed well past what the piece was actually worth. Lavern had committed to topping every offer, no matter the cost, staying the highest bidder without the option to bow out. The energy in the auction hall surged to a fever pitch. In the end, he snagged it for 10 million dollars. But the necklace was really only valued at about 700 thousand dollars. Kara snorted. "Is he out of his damn mind?" Marina massaged her temples, any enthusiasm for the rest of the lots completely drained. "That's my mom's keepsake. I need to head over there." Kara rose as well. "I'm coming with." Marina shook her head. "No, I've got this." She stepped out of her suite, and at that exact moment, the doors to the adjacent ones on both sides swung open too. From the left came a entourage, fronted by a man in a deep black shirt. The soft amber lights played across him, highlighting the broad shoulders and trim waist beneath the fabric. A cluster of suited execs followed in his wake like satellites around a planet. He strolled forward with a subtle smile, every stride radiating an easy, captivating vibe. Marina knew him on sight, the guy whose car she'd bumped into before. "Mr. Zamora..." she spoke up first. Daron Zamora nodded faintly as he passed. "Hello." His tone was crisp and neutral, giving away nothing. An odd mix of emotions welled up in Marina's chest, oppressive, uneasy, but above all, deeply embarrassing. If she hadn't crossed paths with Lavern seven years back, the Finley and Zamora families' arrangement would have led straight to a wedding between her and Daron. Yet here was Lavern she'd picked without a second thought, strutting through the auction with another woman on his arm and stirring up drama just moments ago. Daron had been in the suite right beside hers;there was no way he missed it. The humiliation hit Marina like a wave. Lavern's crew filed out shortly after. He'd already gotten word that his rival bidder on the item was none other than Daron. At a discreet signal from Lavern, his assistant, clutching the fresh win, approached Daron. "Mr. Zamora, Mr. Ross caught wind that you're keen on this piece and wanted me to pass it along as a gesture." Shelling out 10 million dollars for an in with Daron? For Ross Group, it was a no-brainer bargain. Lavern had always been sharp when it came to weighing pros and cons. Daron gave the item a quick once-over, then dropped his gaze to Marina. "Just this kind of trash?" The subtext flew over everyone else's heads, but it landed square on her. Her cheeks flushed hot with mortification. His stare was intense and probing, making it impossible for her to hold eye contact. Lavern's assistant shifted uncomfortably, the lot in his grip now a awkward burden, too hot to hand off, too late to pull back. Daron didn't reach for it, instead shifting his attention to Lavern standing a short distance away. "A gentleman doesn't snatch away someone's prized possession. Thanks for the thought, Mr. Ross, but you should hang onto this piece for your own collection." Lavern flashed a smile, keeping his cool as he strolled over, without a hint of groveling. He eased into chatting with Daron like it was the most natural thing. He said, "I'm no expert on this item, so passing it to someone who gets it, well, it's way better." A subtle smile played on Daron's lips, his dark eyes sparkling. "With you framing it like that, Mr. Ross, turning it down would make me look like the bad guy." Lavern's gaze held a spark of triumph, ambition simmering just below the surface. Hooking up with Daron? That'd skyrocket Ross Group to the next level, no question. Marina's eyes stayed glued to the item, a shadow of regret flickering across them. If the necklace ended up with Lavern, she could still scheme a way to reclaim it. But landing in Daron's possession? She'd die before asking him for it. Lavern retrieved the ornate box from his assistant and handed it over to Daron. Daron took it and casually passed it back to his own aide. Gift delivered, Lavern's mind shifted to timing his next move; maybe an invite to solidify the connection. Before he could get a word out, Daron's assistant, Garret Lopez, piped up with a grin. "Mr. Ross, you're a man of your word alright. Does this cover our suite tab too?" Daron chuckled. "What kind of suite runs up a bill like that?" Garret said, "Oh, it factors in the mental anguish from all that racket earlier." Daron responded, "Can't argue with that." It finally clicked for Lavern, the complaint about his suite being too loud had come straight from Daron. The pitch he'd rehearsed lodged in his throat, impossible to spit out now. He started to explain, but Daron and his crew just breezed right past him. Garret was the chatty sort, keeping the banter flowing with Daron as they walked. "If I'd known he'd just gift it to us, I would've pumped up the bids a few more rounds to really jack the price." Daron tossed back nonchalantly, "No need to kick a man when he's down." Garret said, "Didn't seem like you were cutting him any slack when you took the thing." He thought, 'We're talking a straight-up 7 million dollars loss here.' Daron's smile was light as air. Garret was lost. Lavern froze in place, his smug confidence evaporating into pure aggravation. He'd been totally played, oblivious the whole time, and to top it off, he'd blown 7 million dollars handing the prize to Daron who'd toyed with him. Marina stood off to the side, watching in silence, her quiet poise coming off like a subtle roast of his screw-up. She'd warned him plenty of times to avoid that crowd, after all. He drew in a steadying breath, his temper frayed, but he extended an olive branch anyway. "I'll have the assistant drop off everything I won earlier." Marina didn't bat an eye. "Hand it all over to me, and what, leave Ms. Thornton twiddling her thumbs after warming the bench all night?" Right on cue, Shawna stepped forward, her look toward Marina laced with a touch of fear. "Marina, those lots were always intended for you by Mr. Ross. I don't need a thing; it's no big deal." Marina let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "Ah, so Ms. Thornton's the picture of selflessness. No surprise these guys are lining up to sing your praises as 'above all that material stuff.' Ladies like you, who get played for free and still act thrilled about it, are one in a million. If every side chick followed your lead, the legit wives out there could breathe easier about their fortunes staying put." Shawna's face drained to a ghostly white. Lavern's features hardened, his stare turning glacial, edged with a biting frost. Chapter 8 Not Her Home Anymore Kara leaned over, eyeing Shawna's pale, fragile face with a light chuckle. "Women like Ms. Thornton are rare gems in my uncle's circle, real premium catches!" Kara's uncle was infamous as a playboy in Vrufield. Shawna shuddered, cowering in fear behind Lavern as silent tears streamed down her face, her eyes swollen and red. Lavern immediately stepped in front of her, arm raised protectively, his stare icy and sharp. "Marina! That's crossing the line! When did you turn into someone who picks on the vulnerable?" Marina responded calmly, "I've always been like this. Isn't that how Ross Group rose to the top, thanks to my cutthroat moves, bulldozing every rival in the way?" Lavern's expression turned stony. Marina went on, "Mr. Ross, as the one who reaped all the benefits, what gives you the right to judge me? Playing the hero to save the damsel, or just going soft for a pretty face?" Shawna gave Lavern's sleeve a gentle tug. "Mr. Ross, don't fight with Marina because of me. I'd feel awful about it." Once Shawna spoke up, the men Lavern had brought along quickly chimed in to defuse the tension. "Ms. Finley, we're just guys messing around like we always do. Don't get the wrong idea about Mr. Ross; there's nothing between him and Ms. Thornton." Men were pros at backing each other up, piling on without missing a beat. "Yeah, spot on. If there was anything going on, Mr. Ross wouldn't have the guts to bring Ms. Thornton right here in front of you." Seeing the sleazy, boot-licking grins on these guys' faces, Marina suddenly lost all interest. A man's friends revealed his true character, and that couldn't have been more accurate. In an instant, she had no desire left to argue with Lavern. All those carefully rehearsed lines in her head, the drive to unmask Shawna's real intentions; they vanished just like that. She thought, 'Let them pair off for good; I'll flourish on my own. That works just fine.' Marina looked past Lavern and Shawna, her eyes settling on the assistant tucked away in the corner. "Bring out tonight's auction items for me." If seven years of love couldn't keep him, she sure as hell wouldn't hesitate to take every bit of the assets she was owed. The assistant hesitated, glancing over at Lavern. After all, he was Lavern's assistant now and needed Lavern's nod before making a move. Lavern dipped his chin slightly, and only then did the assistant turn, heading into the private room to have the staff deliver the items to Marina. "Ms. Finley, it's all here." Marina nodded with a faint smile, then turned to Lavern. "These are all willingly gifted by you, right, Mr. Ross?" Lavern's face clouded over, irked by her formal, distant tone. "What's mine is yours. If you want it, what's stopping you from taking anything?" Marina replied evenly, "Our assets have been clearly divided, so I need to make sure. I wouldn't want some little tantrum sparking your rage for a beauty, forcing me to hand these back." Lavern's look turned even stormier. "Enough! They're yours, willingly. Take them and leave." Marina gave a casual thanks and motioned for the staff to load everything into her car. Shawna stood quietly beside Lavern, her gaze locked on one piece, an emerald bracelet, as she bit down hard, jaw clenched. Lavern glanced down, then muttered in a low voice, "Leave the emerald bracelet." Marina halted mid-step, turned back, and offered an elegant smile. "Mr. Ross, you just said these were all voluntary gifts to me, so even if I don't like them, they're mine now." Shawna bit her lip gently, then discreetly tugged at Lavern's sleeve and shook her head. Lavern's expression turned stony. Marina noticed Shawna's subtle, suppressed gesture, a sardonic smile curling her lips. Without another word, she strode out dramatically, all the auction items in her entourage. Once they were outside the auction venue, Marina passed the items off to Kara to deal with. Kara glanced at the stack piled into her car and raised an eyebrow. "Running low on cash these days? First selling your shares in Ross Group, and now offloading these auction finds?" Marina shook her head and murmured, "My sister only gave me a month to tie up loose ends here, and now I'm down to just fifteen days." In those fifteen days, she wanted her bank account reduced to nothing but a cold string of numbers, allowing her to return to Vrufield with a clean, unburdened slate. Among all the items, Marina held onto just one: the emerald bracelet; the very piece Lavern had singled out to keep. Late that night, as anticipated, Lavern appeared at Alyssa's home, toting several bags of the pastries Alyssa had always adored. Marina regarded him with utter indifference as he extended them toward her. Lavern brushed past her into the house, pastries in tow, his voice hushed. "Has Alyssa gone to bed already? How's she been feeling these days?" Marina gazed silently at his vaguely concerned look, her own eyes turning icier by the second. Picking up on her changing demeanor, Lavern softened his voice even more, as though wary of waking Alyssa. "Marina, I've told you already; there's nothing between her and me. Our wedding's only two weeks away. I don't want one outsider stirring up trouble between us. As soon as the project's wrapped, I'll get rid of her, alright?" he said. Marina said, "Ms. Thornton must be quite the operator." Lavern's face clouded over. "Marina, must you spike every sentence with barbs?" Marina retorted, "What, I can't even give her credit? A girl fresh out of school, already so essential that the whole project grinds to a halt without her, honestly, I'm outclassed here." Lavern furrowed his brow, reining in his mounting frustration with the last shreds of his patience. "She's a key talent the partners are investing in." Marina uttered a bland "Oh," her eyes unfocused. "So, what are you doing here?" Lavern moved closer, wrapping an arm around her waist and whispering tenderly. "You slipped away without a peep and holed up at Alyssa's. I thought you might still be mad, so I came to find you." Marina hadn't overlooked his sidelong glance at the brocade box, but she couldn't muster the energy to confront him about it. She peeled his hand from her waist and asked coolly, "You headed back to the villa?" Lavern murmured an affirmative "Yeah" and drew her in again. When she wriggled, he clamped down harder, pinning her possessively against him, his tone a deep murmur. "Marina, hold still. Just let me hug you for a minute." The gap in their physical strength was too wide; Marina couldn't wriggle free and reluctantly surrendered. As he noted her compliance, Lavern's lips quirked in a smile. He held her a little longer, then released her and clasped her hand. "Come on, let's go home together." Marina stayed rooted to the spot, simply watching him in silence, a subtle smile playing on her lips. He'd already swung by the villa and still hadn't clocked that everything had been stripped bare; Shawna had truly commandeered his full attention. She thought, 'Home? That isn't my home anymore. How could I ever settle down with a man whose affections have strayed?'