L
When I left, it was rainy, and when I came back, it was sunny
Chapter 1
- 1.
My childhood sweetheart and my brother both
fell hard for the new scholarship kid, River
Song.
He dumped me, breaking our engagement.
“No way I can handle a debutante like Rainey
Lynn.”
My brother forgot Mom’s dying wish. “River’s
been through so much. Sharing my love
between you two isn’t a big deal, is it?”
He blew off my birthday to be with her.
Г
On the anniversary of Mom’s death, he was at
some happy family get–together with River
and her mom.
While they were in L.A. for River’s design
award, I torched the house filled with our
memories.
I faked my death and left town.
But when the news hit L.A., those two jerks
who couldn’t stand me suddenly went crazy.
They flew back, kneeling in front of the
burned–out shell, bawling their eyes out.
The last time I brought up my engagement
with Luke Evans, the whole room went silent.
Г
Then, catching Luke’s annoyed expression,
everyone burst out laughing.
“Arranged marriages? Seriously? What is this,
the 1800s?”
“Looks like our little Rainey’s getting a bit
insecure, huh?”
I ignored the noise.
I just stared at Luke on the couch.
His shirt was unbuttoned, showing a few
marks on his neck and collarbone.
It felt like tiny needles pricking my heart.
The pain was delayed.
Г
“That was just kid stuff. We were young and
dumb,” Luke said, finally looking up. His smile
was faint and sarcastic.
He glanced at me, all casual. “Rainey, we’re
grown–ups now.”
“Let’s just forget it.”
I stared at him, stunned.
Before I could say anything, the door swung
open.
River came in, wearing a waitress uniform
and carrying a tray.
She flinched when she saw me, stammering,
“M–Miss… I mean, Ms. Lynn.”
Г
She glanced quickly at Luke, like she was
about to cry.
“S–sorry, am I interrupting something?”
River’s voice trembled. She tried to set the
tray down and leave.
Luke kicked the coffee table over.
Cups shattered. Glass flew everywhere.
A shard cut my arm, drawing blood. It stung
like hell.
Luke didn’t even look at me.
He stormed over to River, face like thunder.
く
He ripped the frilly apron off her. “River, how
many times have I told you not to take these
jobs?”
River nodded, all obedient.
But her eyes welled up. “I don’t want to keep
taking your money.”
“You and your brother have already given me
so much.”
“I can earn my own way…”
“It hurts me to see you doing this.”
Luke threw the apron aside.
“You’re coming home with me. If I see you
<
He turned to me. “And if anyone gives her
trouble, they’ll regret it.”
I held my bleeding arm, staring at him.
The room was a mess.
- 2.
This club? It’s owned by my family.
Luke thinks I’m deliberately harassing River
by letting her work here.
It’s laughable.
Luke and my brother treat her like a princess.
She has more money than she knows what to
do with.
Why would she bother working?
But I know no one will believe me.
I could drag the manager in here to vouch for
- me.
In his eyes, I’m the wicked queen.
The rich bitch making the innocent
Cinderella’s life a living hell.
“Rainey Lynn,” Luke said, pulling River close.
“Someone like you? I can’t handle that.
“Let’s just call off the engagement.”
The room went dead silent again.
River went pale, burying herself in Luke’s
arms.
My so–called friends stared at me like I was a
monster.
It was actually pretty funny.
Ever since River’s mom barged into our lives,
and then River weaseled her way between me
and Luke…
I’d had my moments. I’d lost it.
My everything was suddenly being given away
to them.
I was a spoiled brat. How could I stand it?
く
But all the screaming and crying did was push
everyone closer to River.
I was tired of it. Sick of it.
“Fine,” I said.
I moved forward slowly.
Luke instinctively shielded River.
“Rainey, whatever you want to do, do it to
me.”
I opened my hand, showing the blood.
My palm was covered with it.
Luke’s mouth thinned. His icy eyes seemed to
