He couldn''t say for sure whether it was anger, frustration, or something else, but something within him was churning. "Esmeralda, have you had enough?" His words were carefully measured, each syble sharp.


    Esmeralda gave a bitter littleugh. “What else can I do? Isn''t letting you go enough?” Her tone was barbed. "If you want to run off with Lucy, be my guest. I have no doubt you can withstand whatever people say about you."


    Fleming''s jaw clenched, his gaze fixed on her. "When are you going to finally grow up? Lucy has already forgiven you for what you did—when are you going to face your own mistakes?"


    Esmeralda stared at him, equal parts stunned and baffled. "Mistakes? What are you talking about?" She truly didn''t know.


    But to Fleming, her confusion looked like stubbornness, a refusal to admit any fault. His disappointment was written all over his face.


    Yet, Lucy wasn''t wrong. Even after Esmeralda had nearly destroyed her―nearly left her to die on that freezing mountain-he couldn''t quite let Esmeralda go. Years of memories and affection don''t disappear overnight.


    "If you don''t want to choose now, then we''ll leave it for another day," he said quietly, offering no further exnation. He knew that if he spelled out the truth, the whole thing would blow up again.


    Back then, Lucy hadn''t made a big deal out of it, but Fleming had snooped through Esmeralda''s phone records in secret. Lucy really had called Esmeralda. He hadn''t wanted to believe it, but Lucy''s injury had almost broken her—she had dreamed of being a dancer since childhood, and that ident had ended those dreams for good. It had forced her to give up the future she wanted.


    He and Esmeralda both owed her for that. Esmeralda was going to be his wife, and he would share that burden.


    Fleming let out a breath, suddenly reminded of Alexander. The thought unsettled him in a way he couldn''t exin. For once, his voice was softer, almost pleading. “I promise the wedding will go ahead. We''ll make this work. I told you I''d never betray you. Nothing inappropriate will ever happen—I just need you to trust me."


    Then he turned and left. He didn''t want to argue anymore.


    Esmeralda was shaking with fury, her chest tight, every breath uneven. If anything, his words only made her more determined. She wasn''t sure if she believed him— Fleming was never one to make promises lightly, but she didn''t have the time or energy to uncover the truth right now.


    All she could think about was how to put an end to this wedding.


    After going over it again and again in her mind, Esmeralda finally left the room. She needed to act-fast.


    Maybe it was her constant outbursts, maybe it was the rumors swirling around, but somehow her family had decided to bump up the wedding by an entire week- suddenly everything was happening too quickly.


    In those few days, she avoided Flemingpletely, but managed to find someone suitable for her n. At least, someone who could help her pull this off for now.


    But she knew that unless everything blew up in public at the wedding, unless she left everyone with no way out, the truth about her fake


    rtionship woulde


    immediately-her father el.ne


    would see


    right through it, and she''d be trapped


    again.


    Saturday.


    The day of the public ceremony arrived.


    Elodie Thorne slipped into the crowded suite just as the finishing touches were being put on Esmeralda''s makeup. The room was packed with stylists and attendants, and Esmeralda felt their eyes follow her everywhere. Scanning the room, she took in the silent, stone-faced bodyguards stationed at every exit.


    She didn''t bother keeping her disdain to herself. "My dad''s terrified I''ll try to bolt," she said dryly. "He''s had me under surveince for days."


    The whole thing wasughable, really. If she refused to go through with it, her father would simply find a way to force her hand.


    Elodie took one look at Esmeralda''s wan face and felt her heart ache. "What are you thinking?" she whispered.


    Esmeralda inhaled deeply, bracing herself. "Everyone keeps cornering me. So if they insist on forcing this marriage on me, I might as well blow the whole charade to pieces."


    Elodie''s eyes widened; she could tell


    Esmeralda was nning something,


    something big. Today''s guest list


    included half the city''s elite;


    powerbrokers, politicians, old family


    friends-all watching, waiting.


    In thest few days, Elodie had barely even been able to reach her. Esmeralda''s


    father had made sure his daughter was not left out of sight for a moment.


    “You mean—” Elodie began, gripping Esmeralda''s hand tightly.


    Esmeralda''s lips curved into a strained little smile, bitterness flickering in her eyes. "Fleming has hurt me so many times. Maybe today it''s his turn to be the one humiliated. I think he''s earned it."