The boldest thing Solenne Frankenthaler had ever done was fall in love with a man she shouldn’t–her fiancé’s younger brother–fully knowing she was set to marry the eldest of the Stettheimers children.
Worse, she was plotting to fake her death and run away with her lover.”
Inside the villa, Rockwell Stettheimer pinned her beneath him on the bed.
“Be a good girl for me, babe. Stay still. Let me show you what happens when you trust me.“”
His teasing tone in her ear made her cheeks flush.
When it was finally over, she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Babe,” she whispered, “when will you take me away? I just want to be with you, openly and officially. I love you so much. I really want to be yours.”>
They were each other’s first love.”
But her family forced her to get engaged to someone else. She refused and begged Rockwell to elope with her.”
He agreed. But on the day they were supposed to run away together, he didn’t show up.
She was left with no choice but to get engaged to Luther, the eldest son of the family she would be marrying into.
Only then did she realize–Rockwell was actually her fiancé’s younger brother.
Seeing her tear up, Rockwell put on his clothes as he casually promised, “Soon. Just two more weeks. On your wedding day, we’ll run away.”
The word “wedding” made Solenne falter. She looked at him in doubt.
“This time… you’ll really take me away, right?“}
Rockwell stroked her brows gently, his eyes filled with affection.
“I got into a car accident last time. I was unconscious in the hospital–I didn’t mean to leave you hanging.
“But I swear, nothing will go wrong this time.
“You know how much I love you, babe. Do you really think I’d let you marry someone else?“}
Solenne finally relaxed. Her eyes curved into a soft smile.
“I believe everything you say.”
Rockwell tapped her nose fondly.
“You love painting, don’t you? After we run away, I’ll open a gallery for you. We’ll hang all your art in it.”
She giggled, giving him a playful pout. “You always know how to sweet–talk me.“}
He chuckled. “Nah. Anyway, I have to go, babe. I’ve got a meeting. The maid will clean this room later. If you’re tired, rest in the guest room.”
She nodded and watched him leave, obediently and full of trust.
Just a few minutes after she began tidying up, she spotted Rockwell’s wrist watch lying on the bed.
Without thinking, she grabbed it and rushed downstairs to return it.
But when she overheard a conversation, she froze before she could even take another step.
1
Outside the villa, Rockwell leaned against a sleek black Maybach.
The man in the car rolled the window down. It was Norman Pollock, Rockwell’s close friend and Luther’s sworn brother.
Norman laughed and cursed. “Damn, dude! Your sister–in–law tastes that good? Took you so long–had me waiting forever!”
Rockwell let out a low, ambiguous laugh. “Of course. Having sex with Luther’s woman? How could it not feel good?”
Norman laughed with him, and then he added, “You’re a damn genius! Dropping the sex tape right in the middle of their wedding? Dude, the entire Brooklyn wili have fun!?
“The bride getting off under another man while her groom’s right there? Damn, Luther’s going to be the biggest loser in Brooklyn! I bet your dad will be so humiliated he’ll start stripping your brother’s power in your family’s company!”
Rockwell scoffed. “Serves him right. He’s getting exactly what he deserves.
“He ruined Chesca’s life–married her off to that abusive bastard. I begged Luther on my knees, and he still wouldn’t let her be with me.“B
Just behind the front door, Solenne stood hidden completely from their sight.” Slowly, she blinked, as if trying to make sense of what she just overheard.
She wanted to step forward and say something… but her legs wouldn’t let her.
The conversation in the Maybach was still going.”
Norman chuckled and said, “Yeah, yeah, we all know you’re the devoted type who never got over his first love. She’s divorced now, huh? You’ve waited all this time, pulled all those strings–finally, dude, your moment came! Bittersweet victory.. ”
He let out a sigh, patting Rockwell on the shoulder.
“But don’t you think this is a little too cruel for Solenne?” he added. “You knew from the beginning she’d be forced into an engagement with Luther, and you still approached her on purpose. You played with her feelings. That’s cruel, man. Poor Solenne, she really believet you loved her “%
12:09 AM S
Rockwell glanced lazily at Norman, lifting his eyelids just enough.
“There’s nothing wrong with it. She happened to fall into my path.“N
He didn’t elaborate; he just lit a cigar.
Norman frowned, eyeing him carefully.
“And what about afterwards? After what happened at the wedding–Solenne’s not going to blow up at you?“}]
Rockwell let out a small laugh, the cigar between his teeth.})
“She loves me too much. Even if she finds out, she won’t make a scene.
“I’ll take her away before she learns the truth. She’ll never know I was the one behind what happened at the wedding.”
In that instant, Solenne felt the blood drain from her body.
Her mind went blank as her eyes watched Rockwell climb into his car.
Soon, the Maybach slowly pulled away.N
She couldn’t even remember how she got back to her bedroom.
All she felt was a heavy fog of confusion.N
‘Why? Why me?
She had poured all her love into Rockwell–knowing full well the scandal it would cause to fall for her future brother–in–law.
Even
Even with the risk of being ridiculed and shamed, she had thrown herself in without hesitation.
‘I sincerely love him… How… How come he betrayed me after everything I gave him?!‘
Just then, her phone rang.
An international number flashed across the screen.
It was Luther–her fiancé.
When she answered, his calm and deep voice came through the line.
“I won’t be able to come back to New York in time to help with the wedding preparations or dress fittings. I’ll only make it back the day before the ceremony.
“But if you’d like, you can come here instead. We can hold the wedding in Santorini. That way, I can help you plan everything.
“If you’d rather not, we’ll stick to the original plan and hold it in New York. It’s completely up to you.“}}
His tone was gentle and respectful–more like he was asking her opinion than issuing a decision.
Even though this engagement had been forced by their families, Luther had never once disrespected her.
He couldn’t be there to plan the wedding, but he was still considerate of her feelings.
“Let’s hold it there,” she said. “I’ll fly out in seven days.“N
Luther exhaled, clearly relieved. A smile crept into his voice.
“Alright. I’ll be waiting.”
‘With the change in wedding plans, she thought, ‘all of Rockwell’s plans will probably fall apart. He’s right–I’ve been foolish. ‘But even a fool knows when she’s been betrayed.”
After hanging up, she stared at the watch on her wrist, lost in thought.
‘Seven days. That should be enough time to pack up and leave.’N
‘I also need to find the videotape they mentioned and destroy it, so I have to hurry.”
