Chapter 2

That afternoon, Alexander took me to one of the most exclusive shopping districts in New York.

For once, he seemed unusually interested in shopping.

He had me try on the latest designer dresses and put on jewelry from famous luxury houses.

He sat on a velvet sofa, watching carefully as I modeled each outfit.

Sometimes he'd nod. Other times, he'd frown slightly and tell the sales assistants to bring something else.

Eventually, he selected several dresses and an exquisite sapphire jewelry set.

I assumed they were for me.

But instead of handing them to me, he gave everything to his assistant.

"Pack these up."

The sales associates exchanged glances.

Some looked at me with pity. Others barely concealed their disdain.

I didn't need anyone to explain what was happening.

The dresses and sapphire jewelry weren't meant for me. Alexander was simply using me to see how they would look on Vivian.

When he'd made his selection, he handed everything to his assistant.

Then, as if remembering that I was there, he casually picked up a necklace from the counter and handed it to me.

It was pretty enough, though nowhere near the price of Vivian's jewelry set.

I accepted it with a grateful smile.

"Thank you, darling."

In my head, I'd already calculated how much I could get for it.

When we returned to the mansion, Alexander patted my head.

"You've had a long day. Thank you."

"I have a business engagement tonight, so don't wait up."

I put on a reluctant expression and kissed him.

This time, he didn't push me away. He even kissed me back.

"Buy whatever you want. Eat whatever you like. Just use the card."

Then he gave me a casual smile.

"Be good."

I watched his car disappear down the driveway before wiping my lips with a tissue.

Disgusting.

Still, I wasn't about to complain. Every little gift and every dollar he spent brought me closer to the life I actually wanted.

And I was almost there.

I put on a reluctant expression and kissed him.

This time, he didn't push me away.

He even kissed me back.

"Buy whatever you want. Just use the card."

Then he gave me a casual smile.

"Be good."

The moment his car disappeared down the driveway, I grabbed a tissue and scrubbed my lips.

Disgusting.

Then I opened my favorite shopping app and started placing orders.

After that, I checked my bank accounts again.

The balance was looking increasingly impressive.

I was almost there.

I immediately returned to preparing my visa application and gathering the documents I'd need for my studies.

Life continued quietly for the next few weeks.

Then, finally, the day before Vivian's return arrived.

Alexander came home unusually early.

He asked me to stand in the living room while he looked me up and down.

"Tomorrow, you're coming with me to pick up a friend."

I tilted my head innocently.

"Who is it? You seem awfully excited about this friend, darling."

"She's not important."

I nearly laughed.

Of course she wasn't.

He was planning to use me as a prop to make Vivian jealous.

He wanted her to see him with another woman, presumably to force her to confront whatever feelings she still had for him.

And I was the perfect accessory.

I obediently agreed.

Perhaps my willingness to cooperate stirred what little conscience Alexander had left.

He took out his checkbook and casually wrote me a check.

"Here. Buy yourself something nice."

I accepted it with trembling fingers, pretending I was overwhelmed by emotion.

Inside, however, I was practically celebrating.

Another unexpected bonus!

The next day, Alexander took me to Vivian's welcome-home reception.

I spent considerable time getting ready, choosing an eye-catching dress and carefully styling my hair and makeup.

Even Alexander seemed momentarily distracted when he saw me.

But the second Vivian appeared, his attention shifted completely.

He barely looked at me again.

I followed a few steps behind him, feeling like an invisible shadow.

The guests' eyes swept over me.

Some were sympathetic. Others were openly mocking.

I ignored them all.

Eventually, Vivian noticed me.

She turned toward Alexander with a curious expression.

"Alexander, who's this?"

He seemed to remember my existence only after she asked.

He extended an arm, pulled me against his side, and announced clearly,

"This is my girlfriend, Claire Bennett."

I obediently leaned into his embrace.

But I could feel his arm trembling slightly.

Vivian's eyes immediately grew misty.

Nevertheless, she managed to put on a gracious smile.

"You're dating someone? Why didn't you ever tell me?"

She looked me over before adding softly,

"She's actually quite pretty. And I can see a little resemblance between us."

Then she gave a small, almost embarrassed laugh.

"But Alexander, weren't you always saying you hated this kind of flashy style? You used to tell me I looked best in simple, understated colors."

She glanced at my dress.

"Seems your taste has changed quite a bit over the years."

Her words were gentle, but every syllable carried an insult.

In a single breath, she'd branded me as vulgar and made it clear that I was nothing more than her replacement.

I kept smiling.

I wasn't bothered.

A job was a job.

Besides, I had a whole new life waiting for me overseas.

And that life was going to require a considerable amount of money.