Chapter 14

The Parisian night draped over the streets as Ethan Sinclair stood beneath the streetlamp, the warm yellow light tracing the sharp contours of his profile. He took a sip of coffee, his slender fingers absently tracing the rim of the cup.

Victoria Montgomery’s footsteps echoed distinctly in the quiet street. She yanked open the car door, the click of her heels sharp against the cobblestones.

"Ethan Sinclair!"

The familiar voice made Ethan jerk his head up. Instinctively, he tried to pull his wrist free from her grip but froze when he recognized her.

"Ms. Montgomery?" A mocking smile curled his lips. "Shouldn’t you be on your honeymoon with Lucas Whitmore right now?"

Her nails dug into his skin. "Why are you leaving?"

Ethan shook her off, coffee splashing between them. "Victoria, when were we ever together?"

"You promised to marry me!" Her voice trembled in the night breeze. "Even if the wedding was with Lucas, our names were still on the marriage certificate!"

Ethan suddenly laughed, the sound sending a chill down her spine.

"Didn’t you look closely at the certificate?" He leisurely pulled a photo from his pocket. "See for yourself. Whose names are on it?"

The photo showed a bright red marriage certificate, Lucas Whitmore and Victoria Montgomery’s names glaringly side by side.

"You did this?" Her pupils constricted. "Didn’t you always want to marry me?"

Ethan tucked the photo away, his gaze icy. "Your memory is terrible, Ms. Montgomery. Who was it that said only Lucas deserved to be your husband?"

"That was just anger talking!" She grabbed his collar. "You sent those photos to the wedding because you still love me, didn’t you?"

Ethan pried her fingers off one by one. "I just wanted you to taste the humiliation of being exposed in public."

The streetlamp stretched their shadows long across the pavement. Victoria suddenly remembered that rainy night in college, Ethan kneeling outside the infirmary.

"Do you remember when I made you kneel all night?" Her voice cracked. "I was just—"

"Just what?" He cut her off. "Just used to treating me like a dog at your beck and call?"

Her lips trembled, but no retort came.

"My mother is in the hospital," she blurted.

Ethan took a step back. "And? Did I force you to cheat with Lucas in the dressing room?"

Just then, a slender figure slipped between them. Isabella Laurent looped her arm through Ethan’s, offering Victoria a polite smile.

"Miss, we have plans."

Ethan smoothly wrapped an arm around Isabella’s waist. "Let me introduce you. My girlfriend."

Victoria’s face drained of color. She watched them walk away, her nails biting into her palms.

Around the corner, Ethan immediately dropped his arm. "Sorry about that—"

"No need to explain." Isabella opened the car door. "Get in. I’ll drive you."

As the engine roared to life, she added, "There’s a fashion week next week. Want to be my plus-one?"

Ethan’s eyes lit up. "I’d love to."

Isabella smirked and hit the gas. In the rearview mirror, Victoria’s figure grew smaller until it vanished into the Parisian night.