Chapter 2

• Rosalina's POV
• The cold air outside the cathedral hits me like a slap, but it doesn't wake me up from my daze.
• It's only when people’s stares burn into me that I realise my custom-made silk wedding gown is swishing against the pavement, the lace hem dragging through the dirt and grime.
• But I don’t have enough senses left to feel the shame of the spectacle I've become.
• ​"Rose! Rosalina, stop!"
• Tracy’s voice screams from behind, and I quickly thrust my hand out. A yellow cab screeches to a halt.
• ​"Royal Oak Hotel," I rasp as I climb into the back. "Fast."
• ​The driver looks at me through the rearview mirror. "Runaway bride?"
• ​I stare out the window, ignoring his amusement.
• I march into the lobby, and the receptionist blinks, looking puzzled by the sight of a full bridal ensemble in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon.
• ​"I want to know which room Mr. Jordan Harrington has booked," I say, using his human surname.
• The hotel is located just outside the pack limits, within the neutral ground of human luxury.
• ​The receptionist pauses. "And you are...?"
• ​I raise my hand, the diamond engagement ring catching the light. "I’m his fiancée."
• ​Her face softens into a professional smile. "Of course, ma'am. Just a moment."
• "Mr. Harrington has reserved the top floor lobby for a private party, as well as the Presidential Suite. Would you like me to arrange for someone to escort you up?"
• ​The words private party feel like a blade to my heart. He was throwing a party, while I was standing at the altar, counting the seconds of my own humiliation.
• ​"No need," I say, my smile brittle. "I'll find my way."
• I'm shaking on the entire elevator ride to the 50th floor, and the doors open onto a scene that stops my heart.
• A beautiful festoon arches overhead. Banners hang from the ceiling, gold letters sparkling under soft lights: WELCOME HOME, MINNIE!
• My heartbeat is echoing louder than the upbeat music blasting from the speakers. His priority was a "Welcome Home" party for someone who's been gone for years. All this time, he couldn't even bother to send a text to the woman waiting to bind her soul to his.
• I didn't expect him to go against his heart's wishes and marry me under compulsion. But he didn't even give me the decency of a cancellation!
• ​I linger on the balcony, hidden by a large floral arrangement. I can hear the voices of our friends— or rather, Jordan's close circle.
• I thought they respected me, but the conversations I overhear leave me reeling.
• ​"They really are the perfect couple, aren't they?"
• “I always knew Rosalina was just a pathetic placeholder–”
• “Don't insult Minnie like that! The placeholder is not even half as good as the original."
• ​"She’s really an embarrassment. The only reason she clung to Jordan this long is because of some magic spell she cast on his grandfather.”
• “Who knows! Maybe she’s doing 'favors' for the old man to keep her spot. You know what I mean…”
• I want to throw up; it's absolutely disgusting and vile…
• But the man who is supposed to defend me against these remarks, is busy cutting a three-tier celebration cake with his so-called sister. He reaches for the knife, his hand wrapping over hers. Together, they push it through the layers of fondant and cream.
• Their friends cheer.
• He pops a bottle of champagne and hands her the first glass, fingers brushing against each other. She smiles up at him, and he looks at her like she is the moon of his night sky.
• She's wearing a knot-style baby pink dress, so pale it’s almost white. I want to laugh at the irony— here I am, standing in a white bridal gown and still finding myself on the outskirts of his life.
• They look like a real couple, so much like the dream I thought I was living.
• ​Suddenly, the music changes and the bright overheads dim until the room is almost pitch dark, lit only by soft blue floor lights. A waiter almost barges into me, and I instinctively whirl behind a white screen, pressing myself against it to stay hidden.
• ​I realize, too late, that I am standing inches away from the edge of the dance floor.
• ​Jordan drags Minerva into the center and twirls her twice before they begin to sway, their bodies pressed together, foreheads almost touching.
• The music is loud, but because I am right behind the screen, their voices carry directly.
• ​"You got a call earlier…” Minerva murmurs. "Was it your girlfriend?"
• ​"She’s nobody important.”
• Jordan says as he nudges her with his cheek, and I feel tears dripping down my cheeks again.
• ​"Come on, Jordy! Weren't you going to claim her today, with the Moon Goddess as your witness?"
• ​"She is nothing in front of you, Minnie…”
• He whispers, pulling her closer until there is no space left between them. "You are my only passion, if only you accept the true feelings in your heart.”
• “Jordy, you know I can't–”
• The music comes to an end, and the crowd erupts into cheers, cutting their conversation short.
• The lights snap back to full brightness, blinding me for a second. The hoots and whistles die down instantly as they see the slim, slender figure in a white silk gown, red hair pinned into a twisted bun, standing like a ghost at the feast.
• Everything from my clothes, my jewellery, and hairstyle is still in perfect condition, like I had prepared. It's just my heart and soul that is in tatters.
• Jordan freezes, his hand still on Minerva’s waist. She rushes toward me, her arms wide open.
• "Sister-in-law! I didn't expect to see you here! How are you? I've heard so much about you!"
• ​I sidestep her with a coldness that surprises even me. "So have I.”
• ​Jordan acts like I haven't just avoided her hug, rather pushed her to the ground. He lunges forward, cramping into my space. "How did you find me here? Why are you following me?"
• ​"Why? Am I not allowed to attend your celebration?"
• Minerva interrupts nervously, wringing her hands. "It's not like that! Of course you're welcome. I just… I wanted to surprise him by coming for the wedding, but he surprised me instead by picking me up at the airport and throwing a get-together with our friends. That's all. Please, we'll be very happy if you join us—"
• "No need to go so far to accommodate her, Minnie," Jordan cuts in, glaring at me. "And you absolutely don't need to explain yourself. Those who have filth in their mind see filth everywhere."
• I smirk. "So then, you admit you are filthy?”
• ​Jordan’s face turns a deep shade of red. He lunges forward and grabs my wrist, his grip forceful enough to bruise.
• "Rosalina, behave yourself! Why did you come here in this ridiculous dress? Just for drama? I told you, it’s a five-minute job. We can complete the mating ceremony whenever we want. Stop making a fuss."
• ​I look down at his hand on my wrist, then up into the grey eyes of the man I thought I loved.
• ​”Good! I’m here to tell you that we're never having that ceremony. I don't want your five minutes of charity."
• ​"What are you talking about!? We agreed to postpone—"
• ​"We never agreed," I interrupt, ripping my arm out of his grasp. "You just announced you weren't coming, and humiliated me in front of the world. You just told her I was 'nobody important,' right? So, I’m breaking off this forced engagement."