chapter 2

2.

Just seven days before my wedding, a news alert flashed on my screen—an auction announcement.

And right there was my mother's most treasured heirloom: the family's emerald bracelet.

I drove straight to the auction house.

The auction was being held in the grand ballroom of the city's most luxurious hotel.

Crystal chandeliers bathed the room in light, glittering over a sea of the city's elite.

And right in the middle of it all sat Chloe and Liam—side by side, looking nauseatingly intimate.

A few socialites nearby whispered behind their hands.

"Mr. Graham really dotes on his fiancée! I heard he came just to bid on that emerald bracelet for her."

"No kidding! The pink diamond on her finger alone is worth a fortune. Now he's after the emerald heirloom too? Miss Chloe Yale's wedding might as well be a royal one."

Their words sliced through me like a knife.

In my previous life, before I married Liam, I had stood in this very ballroom, staring longingly at that same bracelet, wishing I could have it.

And what did Liam say to me then?

"The color's too cold. It doesn't suit you."

Yet here he was, bidding on the very same bracelet—for Chloe.

So it wasn't that the bracelet didn't suit me.

It was that I wasn't worth it.

Just then, Chloe noticed me. "Isla!"

She hurried over, and as she reached my side, she gently linked her arm with mine.

"What a coincidence! You're here for the auction too? Come sit with me!"

I shot her a cold look and yanked my arm free.

After scanning the room, I quietly settled into an empty seat.

I sat down, only to notice that Chloe and Liam were right there, a few seats ahead and to the side.

When the auctioneer presented the emerald bracelet, the whole room came alive. The deep green gem glowed under the lights, dazzling and serene.

"Two million!"

"Three million!"

When the price hit five million, I raised my paddle without hesitation. "Six million!"

Chloe whipped around, eyes flashing. "Liam! Bid six million!"

Liam didn't even pause. "Six million!"

"Eight million!" I said.

Chloe fidgeted in her seat, then shot me a venomous look and mumbled under her breath.

"How does she have that much money? Dad really does love her best—he must've given her everything."

Then she leaned close to Liam and whispered, "Hurry! Bid, no matter what!"

Liam lifted his paddle. "All in!"

"Wow! Mr. Graham went all-in for Miss Chloe Yale! He's really doting on her!"

"I see! She's really his princess now!"

A delicate blush immediately spread across Chloe's cheeks.

She strutted toward me, the emerald bracelet gleaming in her hand like a prize.

"Liam won this for me. It's mine now, Isla. Give it up. You can't beat me. You couldn't even win toys from me as a kid, and now you can't even win over a man. Not even your mom—"

"Chloe, shut your mouth!" I snapped, fury burning through me.

"Why? I'm not shutting up. And what are you going to do about it?"

Her red lips curved into a vicious smile, each word like viper's venom. "Your mom couldn't beat mine either. That's why she ended up bullied into a life of despair… and death."

Smack!

A sharp slap rang through the air, echoing in my ears.

But it wasn't me—Chloe had slapped herself.

A heartbeat later, she stumbled back, tears welling in her eyes as she fell perfectly into Liam's arms just as he rushed over.

"Liam, don't blame Isla," she sobbed softly. "I provoked her first… I just wanted to share my happiness. I love this bracelet you won for me so much. Happiness is meant to be shared…"

I spat, 'Do I even know you that well? I don't care about your 'sharing.' And don't forget—you're the daughter of a homewrecker."