On the day we were supposed to sign our marriage license, my fiancé vanished.
Not because of work, not because of an accident—he was busy celebrating his “precious adopted sister’s” birthday.Six years of my youth, gone. I went from a bright-eyed girl in my twenties to a woman cornered by family pressure and the ticking clock. And what did I get in return? A worthless ring and endless excuses.
The problem has always been Ivana—the so-called “sister” he always put before me.
But I’ve finally learned the cruelest truth: in love, the worst betrayal isn’t another woman—it’s being sacrificed to someone else’s fake family ties.
So this time, I didn’t cry. I didn’t beg.
I went straight to the one man Cobb fears most—his uncle.
And I struck a deal that would make Cobb’s life burn to ashes.He never saw it coming. The woman he abandoned is the same woman who lit the fire he’ll never be able to put out.

Lorena's drink went down the wrong way, sending her into a violent coughing fit. I abandoned my own glass and rubbed soothing circles on her back. "Are you alright?" I murmured softly. "Come with me to the restroom so we can get you sorted out."


I caught her arm before she could lunge toward the source of her irritation. My tone remained steady despite the tension crackling between us. "This isn't the moment for that."


Ivana's voice drifted over, sweet as poisoned honey. "Cobb, I warned you Dahlia wouldn't lose her temper. You owe me that payment since you lost our little wager."


I locked eyes with Lorena and guided her firmly toward the ladies' room before she could create the scene she was itching for.


Chapter 22 - Chapter 22 A Terrible Mistake