SCARLETT
If there were an award for Most Inappropriate Wedding Guest, I was currently sweeping the category.
Most people brought gifts, well-wishes, and envelopes full of cash, while I brought a suitcase with a broken wheel that screeched like a dying banshee, a bank account that was currently negative thirty dollars, and a mood that could curdle milk.
"Miss, for the last time," the security guard sighed, looking at me like I was a stain on the architecture of the Blackwood estate. "You are not on the list. And frankly, you’re frightening the valet."
I tightened my grip on the handle of my beat-up luggage. It contained everything I owned in this world—which wasn't much, thanks to the man currently standing at the altar inside.
"I don't want to attend the wedding," I snapped, pushing a lock of frizzy hair out of my face. "I’m not here to catch the bouquet either. I just need five minutes with Caleb. Five fucking minutes. Tell him Scarlett is here. And in case he forgets the name, tell him it's the woman—"
"The groom is busy," the guard cut me off, sneering. I saw the way his eyes raked over my worn-out sneakers and the thin chiffon blouse I was wearing. "Go away, or I’ll have you physically removed."
"You touch me, and I scream," I snapped. "I will scream so loud that the bride will hear me over the wedding march. I will start listing every single one of Caleb’s dirty little secrets until this 'fairytale wedding' turns into a true crime documentary. Do you want to be the guard who let that happen?"
The guard hesitated. He saw the fire in my eyes—the desperation of a creature with its back against the wall.
"Fine," he grunted, tapping his earpiece. "Wait here."
Two minutes later, Caleb appeared.
"Finally." I scoffed as he walked out, looking every inch like the perfect groom—fine tuxedo, hair gelled to perfection, and a scowl that could freeze hell over.
He didn't come to the gate; he stayed safely behind the iron bars, looking at me like I was a zoo animal.
"I knew you were pathetic, but this? This is a new low. Crashing my wedding? With luggage?"
"I didn't have anywhere else to leave it, Caleb," I shot back, fighting the sting of humiliation. "Since my landlord kicked me out."
"Not my problem," he scoffed. "Look at you. You look like a beggar. God, I can't believe I ever let you be seen with me."
"I looked fine when I was making you look good at Blackwood corp," I hissed, stepping closer to the bars. "I looked fine when I was doing your work for you, fixing your spreadsheets, and saving your ass in meetings."
Caleb laughed, so hard I almost thought he broke a rib. "You really believe that? You think you were some corporate prodigy? You were only there because of me, Scarlett. You were a charity case. And now that I’m marrying Selene—a real woman, from a real family—I don't need a charity case dragging down my reputation."
"Is that why you did it?" My voice cracked, the sarcasm failing me for a second. "Is that why you had HR fire me this morning? For 'gross misconduct'? You framed me, Caleb! You ruined my career so you wouldn't have an ex-girlfriend working in the same building as your new wife!"
"I did what I had to do," he said with a shrug, checking his expensive watch. "You’re a loose end, Scarlett. And I’m tying you off."
"I need my severance," I demanded, my hands trembling. "Because of you, I have nothing, Caleb. My grandmother—"
"Always the sob story." He leaned against the gate, a nasty smirk playing on his lips. He looked me up and down, his gaze turning predatory.
"Tell you what. You need money? I can help. Though you have a few screws loose here and there, there will always be people interested in you. I can help you hook up with—"
"If that word drops your tongue will roll on the floor." I spat.
He didn't even let me give a piece of my mind before he leaned closer, whispering loudly enough for only me to hear.
"There's this guy; he'll give you a check. Enough to get you off the street. But you have to drop that ridiculous 'no sex before marriage' rule you tortured me with for two years. Not every man takes that crap—"
PAK!
The sound of the slap echoed louder than the church bells.
My hand stung, but the shock on Caleb’s face was worth every bit of pain.
He stumbled back, clutching his cheek.
"You b*tch!"
"Go to hell, Caleb!" I shouted, grabbing my suitcase. "I hope your wedding night is a disaster! I hope you rot!"
I spun around, tears finally blurring my vision. I didn't wait for the guards to grab me. I just ran. I hauled my heavy suitcase and ran blindly away from the gate, away from the music, away from the ruins of my life.
Now he's reduced me to nothing but a prostitute. What was I thinking when I walked all the way here? That I could do some damage? Hurt him with my words? I thought confrontation could do something, but it ended up biting me in the arse.
He fucking ruined my life, and all I could do was uselessly cause a scene. Well, it's pointless. Nothing much has changed. I'm still homeless. I lost my job, and my money is hanging in someone else's bank account.
And I'm broke as hell!
Two years of labor, of one-sided love, and sacrifices all went down the drain.
I still can't believe I loved him. If you could tell an asshole from his face, it would have saved me two years of my life. But no, Caleb looked perfect. He looked like a prince in a tuxedo, but hid a rotting soul beneath starched linen.
I was such a fool.
I turned the corner sharply, not looking where I was going, and slammed straight into a wall.
No, not a wall. A chest. A very hard, very solid chest.
Riiip.
The sound of fabric tearing was unmistakable. My oversized chiffon snagged on the stranger's watch, tearing open at the shoulder as I bounced off him.
I stumbled back, gasping, looking up. And up.
Well, who wouldn't remember that face?
The man was massive. He radiated a power that made the air around us feel heavy, almost suffocating. He was wearing a suit that probably cost more than my grandmother’s entire life earnings, and his eyes... they were dark, dangerous, and currently fixed on me.
Alpha Carter Blackwood, the most feared man in the city.
And I had just assaulted him with my face.