Chapter 1
That morning, I went shopping downtown with my best friend, Samantha.
We were flipping through racks, gossiping and sipping overpriced lattes, when I saw him.
Xavier Ford. The ever–composed, emotionally constipated heir to Ford International. Standing at the Chanel boutique counter like he owned the world.
And he was buying the gown. The very couture plece I’d had on hold for weeks. The one I’d planned to wear to the gala tonight.
That evening, the gown made a second appearance–this time, draped over the shoulders of his secretary.
He didn’t even try to hide it
I didn’t cause a scene. Didn’t throw a fit. I just smiled–sweet and sharp like broken glass.
Then I made a few calls.
Within hours, I had every Chanel boutique in the city pull that same damn gown off the racks and send them straight to Xavier.
Let him choke on his generosity.
Let him buy out the whole goddamn line if he cared that much.
Samantha stayed up that night drafting up a divorce agreement for me.
I’ve got money. I’ve got looks. If there’s one thing I don’t lack–It’s options.
At the annual corporate gala, I sipped red wine and laughed with the regional execs, heels clicking across marble as the music began to pick up. One by one, couples drifted to the dance floor.
That’s when Xavier finally arrived, fashionably late, with his secretary in tow.
I watched him with my own eyes as he paused at the entrance and gently adjusted a Chaumet brooch on her chest.
The corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly–satisfied, almost proud, like an artist admiring his latest work.
Xavier always had an eye for detail. And with that single adjustment, he managed to enhance Sophie Wells‘ entire look. It gave her barely enough edge to carry that couture gown.
Barely.
And just like that, every last fantasy I’d clung to shattered.
Earlier that day, when I saw him leave Chanel, I’d convinced myself he was picking up the dress–for me. I’d been so giddy with hope I even had my makeup artist match my look to the gown.
Even right before the gala started, I’d held out hope, checking the front desk.
Nothing
Still, I called him, hinting around to see if he had something planned. He brushed it off, claiming work had kept him busy.
But beneath the casual reply, I caught a woman’s syrupy voice in the background.
“Mr. Ford, what if Ms. Lane pels upset?”
“Relax,” he replied smoothly. “She has enough dresses to open a runway show.”
Right then, I got it.
The man I married wasn’t the same an
anymore.
Chapter 1
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And just as that realization sank in, she turned around-
Sophie.
Looking straight at me with a syrupy smile and those damn dimples that tugged too hard at a memory I didn’t want
“Ms. Lane, you look stunning tonight,” she said.
I tilted my head and gave her a cold once–over.
“Nice gown,” I said, voice light but edged. “Same one I had on hold last week at Chanel.”
No need to spell things out. We were all adults here.
She was barely out of college, maybe a year tops. There was no way she could afford a twenty–thousand–dollar couture piece–unless someone else footed the bill.
Under my gaze, Sophie squirmed like she was sitting on needles. She bit her lip, twisting her fingers, stealing nervous glances at Xavier.
He met my eyes. Calm. Stoic. Just like always.
“Avery, don’t overthink it,” he said coolly. “Sophie’s never been to a black–tie event before. She didn’t even own a proper gown.”
“She’s been working hard and doing well I just figured… why not.”
I raised a brow and nodded, then gave a subtle signal to my assistant,
Seconds later, a procession of thirteen Chanel sales associates in sleek black suits walked into the hall, each holding up the exact same couture gown,
All eyes turned.
They marched straight up to Xavier, stopping in front of him like a fashion army.
He turned to me, clearly confused.
I stood beside the carved marble column, arms crossed, lips curled into a wry smirk.
“Go on,
“I said lightly. “Pick up the tab.”
Chapter 1
