Chapter 1

Ethan disappeared three years ago. I waited three years.

Everyone said I loved him to death.

Only I knew he wasn't dead at all. He was overseas, spending my money on other women.

Since he wanted to play dead, sleeping with his best friend seemed fair enough, didn't it?

Adrian Blackwood, the circle's infamous devil incarnate, waited in his car for me every night after work.

He kissed me and asked again when we could go public.

Then Ethan came back. With his new girlfriend. At his engagement party, he humiliated me in front of everyone. Made me hand his new lover her ring.

I was pushed and shoved by the crowd, helpless.

Suddenly, the ballroom doors burst open with a violent kick.

Adrian stood in the doorway, his eyes cold as knives.

He walked straight to me, took the ring, and tossed it into the trash like it was nothing.

Then, in front of everyone, he pulled me into his arms.

"I'm her husband. Anyone who touches her answers to me."

The room went dead silent.

Ethan's face turned green.

And the hand on my waist began stroking gently through my dress.

"Show's over," he murmured in my ear with a smile. "Time to go home and work on making a baby."