Chapter 2

• “Don’t look so glum, Josephine,” Roselyn purred, her perfectly painted lips curving into a smirk. “One would think you weren’t happy for me. It’s not every day your baby sister lands the most eligible bachelor in the country.”
• Josephine forced a tight smile, her nails digging into the cushion beside her. “I’m thrilled for you, Roselyn… truly.”
• That was a lie. Josephine felt anything but happy for her sister as she sat stiffly on the velvet couch.
• Across from her, Roselyn lounged like royalty in a crimson gown that hugged her figure perfectly. She looked radiant, as usual. Josephine, on the other hand, felt invisible, a mere shadow in her sister’s glow.
• She was at her sister’s engaged party that she was forced to be in.
• Her parents had been singing praises about Roselyn’s fiancé for weeks, he was very rich and influential. Josephine didn’t care who her sister was marrying, but they had been sitting here for a few hours waiting. She felt very annoyed, why would her sister want to marry a man who couldn’t even bother to arrive on time for his own engagement party.
• What an asshole.
• She glanced at her watch.
• “Don’t you think he should’ve arrived by now?” she asked, her voice laced with impatience.
• Roselyn shrugged, her tone dismissive. “He’s a very busy man, you know. He’s on his way, why are you getting all impatient?”
• Busy enough to be late to his own engagement party, Josephine thought bitterly.
• She cast a glance at their parents, who were busy chatting with a group of wealthy-looking guests, no doubt currying for favors. Josephine couldn’t even understand why they insisted she be here. She was just another accessory, a prop in their perfect family picture.
• “Don’t roll your eyes, Josephine,” Roselyn said sharply, catching her subtle expression.
• Josephine sighed and leaned back. “I wasn’t.” She dismissed her sister.
• “You were. And besides, I’m sure Jayce Anderson isn’t as bad as you think he is.” She said in a voice that irritated Josephine.
• “You don’t even know him,” Josephine countered, annoyed by her sister’s confidence in a man she had yet to meet.
• Roselyn’s smirk deepened, her voice dripping with condescension. “You’re just jealous. I’m getting married to a man every woman wants, and you… well, you’re just a pathetic loser who’s going to be alone forever.”
• Josephine stiffened, her fingers curling into fists. She bit her tongue, knowing better than to rise to Roselyn’s bait.
• Her sister was annoying but she was so naïve.
• The union was obviously nothing more than a business transaction, a way to fatten their parents pockets but since it suited Roselyn perfectly, she didn’t care. Money and status were all that ever mattered to her.
• Roselyn let out a laugh, the kind that grated on Josephine’s nerves, the one that clearly said “I’m better than you.“
• Oh, we’re perfect for each other. Jayce is everything a girl could dream of, handsome, successful, filthy rich. Honestly, Josephine, you should take notes. Maybe then you wouldn’t still be… single.”
• Josephine took a long sip of her champagne, wishing it was something stronger. She felt the urge to splash the drink on her sister but she knew she’d be fucked if she did.
• Roselyn leaned in closer, her voice dropping an octave. “Careful, Jo. Jealousy doesn’t suit you. Not everyone can have what I have.” She paused her smile widening, she brought out her lipstick and applied it for the umpteenth time today.
• “You’d be looking like pennywise if you don’t stop applying that every two minutes.” She said exasperatedly.
• Roselyn’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she flipped her hair over her shoulder and turned away.
• “At least I look good in make up. Unlike you. That face of yours is horrendous.”
• Josephine’s stomach churned, for now, she kept her expression neutral, unwilling to give Roslyn the satisfaction of knowing how deeply her words had cut.
• “Besides,” She continued. “I hear Mr. Anderson is a freak in the sheets.”
• Josephine almost choked on her drink. I would prefer you don’t talk about such things in my presence.” She hid her face behind the glass.
• “You act all innocent, but I know you’re not,” Roselyn said, her voice sharp. “I wonder how Mother and Father would react if they knew where you were last night.”
• Josephine’s heart skipped a beat, but she masked her unease with an awkward laugh.
• “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” She replied quickly as she stood up, brushing past her sister and leaving the room. Her heart pounded in her chest, could Roselyn have followed her last night?! No, she’d been careful and had disguised herself and had even took a cab instead of her car.
• There was no way Roselyn knew where she was at last night.
• Josephine’s heels clicked softly against the marble floor as she wandered aimlessly through the house, trying to calm her nerves.
• Murmurs began to fill the room and she turned wondering what was the cause of the commotion.
• She froze at who she saw, standing in the room. The blood drained from her face as recognition hit her like a lightning bolt.
• Time seemed to stop.
• Roselyn was beside him, her face glowing with adoration as she smiled up at him.
• But Josephine only saw him, his eyes, sharp and knowing, locked onto hers. A flicker of something unspoken passed between them, and Josephine felt the air leave her lungs.
• No.
• This couldn’t be happening.
• Her sister’s fiancé
• was the man she’d spent last night with.