On New Year's Eve, I returned to Chicago.

At the welcome dinner held in my honor, my ex-fiancé, Declan Tierney, made a sudden appearance. He dropped to one knee, holding out a family heirloom: a necklace centered with a massive sapphire.

"Though this is three years late, our destinies are forever intertwined," he declared. "Joanna, marry me!"

Friends whispered among themselves, all expecting a tearful reunion.

But they had all forgotten that on New Year's Eve three years ago, he had promised to get engaged to me. That night, I waited until dawn in a custom-made gown—but he never showed up. All I received was a curt phone call. "Cassidy's been targeted. I have to handle it. We'll talk about the engagement later."

So, on New Year's Day, I flew to Italy alone and accepted my family's arranged marriage.

The problem was, I had already married someone else. Three years ago.

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1

I took a deliberate step back, my expression serene as I lightly touched the pearl necklace at my throat.

"Declan," I began, a cool smile playing on my lips. "I think you have the wrong person. Shouldn't you be giving this to Cassidy?"

"I knew you were still jealous of Cassidy." Declan Tierney's expression soured slightly at my words. "It's been three years. Haven't you gotten over it yet? I've explained it countless times..."

"That you only see Cassidy as a girl in need of protection, and that there's nothing improper between you," I finished his sentence for him, my voice devoid of emotion.

I had heard this excuse hundreds of times. Whenever Declan abandoned me, his fiancée, for his mistress, he would repeat the same lie.

My words left him speechless for a moment, and then he softened his tone.

"Three years ago... things were complicated. Didn't I tell you? Cassidy was gravely injured in a revenge attack by our rivals. Her life was hanging by a thread, and I was worried our engagement would provoke our enemies into finishing her off."

"Who would have thought you'd be so impulsive as to leave without a word the very next day, leaving me to wait for three whole years?"

"But it's all in the past now. Today, you came back for me."

"This time, marry me. Stay. Be my wife, and take your rightful place as the lady of the Tierney family."

His smug confidence almost made me laugh out loud.

"When did I ever say I came back for you?" I replied coolly. "I will not marry you."

Declan froze, a flash of disbelief in his eyes, which was quickly replaced by stubborn certainty—he clearly refused to believe my rejection.

"Still pouting, aren't you?" he asked, rising to take my hand. I sidestepped his reach.

My friends quickly gathered around to mediate.

"Joanna, just forgive him. It was beyond his control at the time."

"That's right. Declan has been searching for you all these years. When he heard you were back, he prepared this proposal as a special surprise."

Buoyed by the crowd's support, Declan, wearing a triumphant smile, raised the necklace to place it around my neck.

I scoffed and knocked the necklace from his hand, sending it clattering to the floor.

The necklace skittered away with a loud clatter, but my eyes were locked on the enormous blue sapphire.

"Declan," I said, my voice sharp enough to cut glass, "I only wear haute couture. This gaudy cut and tacky design... has always been more Cassidy's style."

As soon as I spoke, a dead silence fell over the entire ballroom.

Just then, a familiar voice came from behind me.

"Joanna, just forgive Declan!"

Cassidy stepped forward, bent down to pick up the necklace, and turned to Declan with tears in her eyes.

"It's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you two wouldn't have missed out on all these years. If I had known... I would rather have died back then."

She coughed lightly, a perfect picture of frailty, her pale face making her look all the more pitiful.

Declan immediately forgot his standoff with me and rushed to support her, his face etched with worry.

"What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay in the safe house and recover?"

Watching their intimate interaction, I felt nothing but annoyance. If I had known tonight's welcome dinner would turn into such a farce, I wouldn't have come at all.

I nodded to the other guests. "I've just returned from abroad and I'm still jet-lagged. I should get going. We can catch up another day."

I turned to leave. Declan tried to stop me, but I ignored him, pushed open the ballroom doors, and walked out without a backward glance.

I reached the hotel entrance where my driver was already waiting with the car. Just as I was about to get in, I heard hurried footsteps behind me.

"Joanna!"

Declan had chased after me, with Cassidy, pale as a sheet, trailing close behind.

"What on earth do you want?" I asked, my brow furrowing.

"You were completely out of line today," he accused, pointing a finger at me. "Rejecting me again and again. I know you're angry, but if you keep this up, I'm going to start taking it seriously."

I nearly rolled my eyes. Taking a deep breath of the cold air, I said firmly, "I am serious. Declan, I will not accept your proposal. I gave up on you three years ago. Besides, I'm already married."

To my surprise, Declan let out a short, incredulous laugh. "You don't have to lie, Joanna. You're just saying that to get a rise out of me."

"Yes, Joanna," Cassidy chimed in, sidling closer. "Everyone in Chicago knows how much you love Declan. How could you possibly marry someone else? Declan loves you too, which is why I'm willing to step aside for you both..."

As she spoke, her features crumpled into that familiar, pitiful mask, her eyes welling with tears.

"Impossible... how could you be married?" he murmured. "That dress is new—Parisian haute couture. And that perfume... You knew I was going to propose. You dressed for me."

I realized there was no getting through to them.

"I am married," I reiterated calmly. "Declan, we were over three years ago. Stop harassing me—it wouldn't look good if someone saw us."

"My husband loves me very much, and we are very happy. As for this dress and perfume? I'm sorry, but I've long forgotten your preferences."

Cassidy cut me off, her voice choked with emotion. "Joanna, why must you hurt Declan with lies? If you really have a husband, why did you come back alone today?"

Declan's eyes lit up instantly. He looked at me with a glimmer of hope, as if convinced I was still madly in love with him.

Once upon a time, Declan and I were childhood sweethearts. Our families were equals, and being together seemed like a matter of course. As the daughter of the Sterling family, I had even been willing to manage his family's affairs for him.

Even after his mistress, Cassidy, appeared, I forgave him time and time again, defending him in front of both our families.

But what did he give me in return? Betrayal after betrayal.

He claimed he only saw Cassidy as a sister who needed protection, but what kind of brother takes care of his sister in his bed?

Looking back, I must have been blind. But now, all I felt when I looked at Declan was a deep, unshakeable annoyance. Nothing more.

"Think whatever you want," I said, walking towards the black Rolls-Royce waiting by the curb without a backward glance, ignoring the hurt in his eyes. "Just stop bothering me. I don't want to see either of you again."

But the next morning, I wasn't woken up by my alarm, but by a barrage of messages from a friend.

[Joanna, are you really getting engaged to Declan?]

Confused, I clicked the link my friend sent—a screenshot from the society pages.

My brow furrowed the moment I saw the headline.

[Tierney and Sterling Families Rekindle Old Flame, A Powerful Alliance Reborn! Childhood Sweethearts Finally Get Their Happily Ever After!]

Below were fawning comments from clueless readers, praising our supposed love story.

[This is a real-life fairy tale!]

[A prince and princess, a match made in heaven.]

I was about to contact the media to retract the story when Declan's call came through.

"Did you see the news? Surprised? I knew you cared about your pride. Are you over your little tantrum now?" His voice was filled with smug arrogance.

"Did you leak this?" I demanded coldly.

"What's with the tone? Our engagement is a done deal," he said, a note of contempt in his voice. "I'm telling you, agreeing to this marriage is me doing you a favor. The Tierney family is about to secure the backing of a major power in this city and become the top family in Chicago again."

Impossible. The Tierney family's power had been declining for years. I had returned this time precisely to uproot it completely.

I feigned a casual tone to probe him. "Oh? I had no idea the Tierney family still had that much pull. I heard from my father you've been a little tight on funds lately."

"Hmph." Declan let out a short, disdainful laugh. "I'll be honest with you. I've already made contact with Don Donovan—he's willing to partner with the Tierneys."

He had actually contacted the Donovan family?

If he succeeded, my plans could be completely ruined.

My heart tightened, but I masked it with flattery. "Is that so... It seems the Tierney family is truly poised to reach new heights. I wonder if I might have the chance to meet this powerful man?"

"Of course," Declan answered without hesitation. "The Tierney family's reputation is solid again, and the Don just informed me he'll personally attend our engagement party in three days."

He lowered his voice. "So, in three days, you have to be there. Otherwise, I can't guarantee the consequences for your Sterling family. He's not someone you can afford to offend."

His threat hung in the air. I let the silence stretch, a new plan already taking shape.

After a long silence, my voice came out steady and controlled. "Declan... I'll be there."