Chapter 3

Gianna POV

For the next few days, Marcus never returned to the apartment.

But I was forced to watch his and Clara's "sweet daily life" on various social media platforms.

Clara joined Marcus's company and became the art director of "Starfall."

She posted: "Thank you Marcus for having my back. A new beginning, please support me." The accompanying photo was Marcus's back as he draped a coat over her shoulders.

I looked on coldly, neither liking nor questioning.

Over the weekend, Marcus unexpectedly came home and tossed me a haute couture dress.

"There's a charity gala tonight. You're coming with me." His tone was stiff, still seemingly angry about what happened days ago.

I wanted to refuse, but when I saw the dress, I paused.

It was a style I'd casually mentioned liking half a month ago after seeing it in a magazine.

That dying ember in my heart seemed to flicker back to life.

I thought Marcus still cared about me, at least a little.

That evening, I wore the dress and appeared at the gala on Marcus's arm.

However, the moment we walked into the hall, the surrounding gazes instantly turned strange.

Following everyone's line of sight, my blood froze.

Not far away, Clara Hayes wore the exact same haute couture dress as me and was chatting with others with a charming smile.

Wearing the same outfit wasn't scary. What was scary was that around Clara's neck was the diamond necklace Marcus had won at auction last month for an astronomical price—"Eternal Heart."

At the time, Marcus said it was a gift for his future wife.

Now, this necklace was around Clara's neck.

The whispers around us entered my ears without any attempt at discretion.

"Isn't this the real deal and the substitute wearing the same outfit? How awkward."

"So what if they're dressed the same? Look at the necklace around Clara's neck. Marcus spent a hundred million on that at auction. Gianna doesn't have a single decent piece of jewelry besides that dress."

"A fake is still a fake. Even dressed in royal robes, she won't look like a prince."

My face turned deathly pale. I instinctively looked at Marcus beside me.

Marcus's expression was also ugly, but he didn't comfort me. Instead, he directly shook off my hand and strode toward Clara.

"Why are you wearing this dress?" Marcus frowned at Clara.

Clara's eyes reddened, biting her lip pitifully: "Marcus, I'm sorry. I didn't know Miss Hayes was wearing this too. You had someone deliver it to my apartment yesterday. I thought you specially picked it for me..."

Marcus froze, then turned to look at his assistant who had followed.

The assistant explained, sweating profusely: "Mr. Barrett, you said yesterday to order two of the latest style, one sent to the apartment and one for Miss Hayes. Maybe... maybe the brand mixed them up and sent two identical ones."

The truth was out.

It wasn't that Marcus remembered my preferences. He was buying clothes for Clara and just happened to get me one too.

I stood there like a complete joke.

Clara timidly looked at me: "Miss Hayes, since we're wearing the same thing, how about I go change? So you won't feel uncomfortable."

Marcus grabbed Clara, looking coldly at me: "Change what? You're not in good health. Why tire yourself out? Gianna, go wait in the lounge. I'll call you when the gala ends."

He actually wanted to hide me, his actual girlfriend, to avoid making Clara uncomfortable!

I looked at Marcus's cold face, and the last spark at the bottom of my heart was completely extinguished.

"No need." My voice was so calm even I found it incredible. "You two have fun."

I turned and left the banquet hall without any reluctance.