I carried the Cartier ring box to Chloe’s place. My friend for ten years. In my haste,I had grabbed my fiancéJulian’s phone. I stepped into her Upper East Side apartment. A second later,the phone connected to her WiFi. I froze. Julian had never mentioned coming here. But the password was saved on his phone. Chloe’s eyes flickered to the phone in my hand. A triumphant smirk touched her lips. “Stop guessing,Ella.For the past three years,every time he said he was flying to Tokyo or London,he was here.In my bed.” I clutched the cold velvet box. Ten years of my life,a planned lie. She pulledan ultrasound scan from her Hermès bag and waved it in my face. “Eight weeks,”she said. “You can still marry Julian.My baby’s going to need a full-time nanny anyway.” The apartment’s smart lock clicked. Julian walked in,carrying takeout from a gourmet restaurant. Our eyes met. The smile on his face vanished. I quietly slipped the ring box back into my pocket. From that moment on,Chloe was out of my life. So was Julian Thorne. … “What are you doing with my phone?” Julian took off his Ferragamo shoes. He placed the takeout on the entryway console. His gaze swept from the report in Chloe’s hand to me. After a brief shock,he loosened his tie. He went to Chloe and wrapped his arms around her. “Well,you’ve seen it.No need to hide it.” He looked up at me,his voice calm. “The report is real.She’s carrying my child.The Thorne Group and my estate require an heir.” I clenched the ring box in my pocket. “So?”My voice was barely a whisper. Julian frowned,displeased with my response. “What’s with the attitude?I haven’t even called you out for invading my privacy and taking my phone.” He took a sip of Perrier from the table. He said it like it was nothing. “The doctors have made their assessment.After two miscarriages,another pregnancy would be too high-risk for you.” “I need an heir.Chloe is helping us.After the child is born,you—the future Mrs.Thorne—will raise it.You get a family heir without the risk.So what exactly is your problem?”
Ten years. From a nobody on Wall Street to the head of a financial empire—I was there for every step. Shielding him from rivals cost me two pregnancies. But in the end,he had an affair with my best friend. He called it a”solution”for my own good. Chloe nestled against Julian’s shoulder. She stroked her flat stomach. “Ella,we’ve been like sisters our whole lives.The three of us under one roof.My baby will be ours.You’ve always wanted a family.Now your wish is coming true.” Julian gently patted Chloe’s hair. “See?Chloe is so kind.But you’re always emotional.” He pulled a document from his briefcase and tossed it on the coffee table. “This is an addendum to the prenup.My legal team already drafted it.The wedding in the Hamptons next month is still on.You will still be Mrs.Thorne—in name.” “But Chloe has a high-risk pregnancy.The doctor ordered bed rest.I’m having her move into our home to recover.She’ll stay with us as my‘distant cousin.’” I stared at the paper. My lips twisted into a sarcastic smile. “Staying as your cousin?And what happens after the baby is born?” “We’ll have you legally adopt him.He will be the rightful Thorne heir.Chloe is young.She doesn’t want a child tying down her social life.” Julian took out a Montblanc pen. He held it out to me. “As compensation,I’ll double the limit on your black card.The money is for taking care of Chloe and the baby.Ella,don’t be greedy.I gave you the kind of life most women in this city would kill for.What else do you want?”
He looked at me with chilling sincerity. To him,I was nothing more than a career-less dependent—a shiny possession for him to manage. Chloe picked up the pen. She pressed it into my palm. “Sign it,Ella.You gave Julian your best ten years.You have no work history.You can’t make it in New York without him.” I placed the pen back on the table. “No.” Julian’s expression darkened. “Ella Vance,don’t push your luck.I regret what happened to those pregnancies.Think of this baby as compensation.” He stood up and looked down at me. “I’m giving you one last chance.Sign it.” I stood up and took out the Cartier ring box. Then I threw it straight into the trash. “I’ll think about it.” I turned and walked away. I heard him sit down behind me. Then Chloe spoke behind me. “I knew she would come around.Julian,let’s pick out rings on Fifth Avenue tomorrow.I like Argyle pink diamonds.”
Night fell. I returned to the penthouse on Central Park West. Julian and I had lived there for five years. I typed in the familiar code. The electronic lock beeped:”Incorrect.” I froze,tried again,but got the same result. I stood outside my own door. Two hours later,the private elevator opened. Julian stepped out,supporting Chloe. He frowned when he saw me. “What are you doing out here?Why aren’t you inside?” “The code was changed.” Julian slapped his forehead. “Oh,right.The old code was your birthday.Too simple,a security risk.I changed it to Chloe’s birthday.” He keyed in the new code and the door opened. In the entryway,my usual Manolo Blahnik slippers were gone. In their place sat a pair of non-slip maternity slippers. “Yours had hard soles,”Julian explained casually,helping Chloe toward the master bedroom. “Chloe could slip,so I had the housekeeper throw them out.” I followed them to the master bedroom door. My blood ran cold. My entire collection of La Mer and CPB skincare products was gone,thrown in the trash. In the walk-in closet,most of my Chanel and Dior couture gowns had been moved. The racks were full of Chloe’s maternity clothes. “Julian,what is this?” I pointed at the half-empty closet.
Julian was pouring Evian for Chloe. He didn’t turn around. “Chloe is sensitive to scents during her pregnancy.The doctor said to avoid all fragranced products.The housekeeper moved your things to the guest room.You’ll stay there for the next few months.” Chloe leaned against the headboard,rubbing her stomach. “Ella,you’re not mad,are you?The doctor said I have to stay in bed.The master bedroom has better light and air.We’re best friends.You’ll understand,right?” Seeing her hypocritical performance,I didn’t have the energy to argue. The next morning,I sat in the dining room eating oatmeal. Julian came out of the bedroom. He put his phone on speaker in front of me. “Hello,is this the Vera Wang bridal boutique?This is Julian Thorne.I need to change the bride’s name on the wedding invitations.Please replace it with Chloe Vale.” My grip on the spoon tightened until my knuckles turned white. The assistant on the other end sounded shocked. “Mr.Thorne,what about Ms.Vance…?” Julian pulled out a chair and sat. He glanced at me coolly. “Ella?She’ll be the maid of honor.” He hung up and took a sip of milk. “Chloe wants to be the bride.She’s pregnant.Don’t upset her.It’s only a wedding.” Chloe walked out of the bedroom in my silk robe. She wrapped her arms around Julian’s neck,then turned to me. Her smile was pure. “Ella,will you be my maid of honor?I want you to witness my happiness in person.” Julian tapped the table. “Chloe is talking to you.Don’t be so petty.It’s just a wedding.” I looked down at the thick oatmeal in my bowl. Ten years of devotion. In the end,even my place as the bride could be stripped away. I put down my spoon and wiped my mouth with a napkin. “Okay.” Julian smiled in satisfaction. “We need to keep the peace.”
“The Met Gala is tonight.Wear something simple.Don’t outshine Chloe.” On the sofa was a gray,out-of-season gown. His assistant had prepared it for me. Nearby,Chloe wore a custom Oscar de la Renta maternity gown. She stood beside Julian. Around her neck was the Argyle pink diamond necklace. It was supposed to be mine. “Julian,do I look good?” He put an arm around her waist. “You look incredible,baby.All eyes will be on you tonight.” He turned to me,his brow furrowed. “What are you waiting for?Go get changed.Don’t keep everyone waiting.” I picked up the gray gown and went to the guest room. When I came out,Julian and Chloe were already gone. I had to take an Uber to the museum alone. I pushed open the doors to the banquet hall. Julian was laughing with business leaders,a champagne flute in hand. Chloe clung intimately to his arm. I walked toward them slowly. I was about to stand beside Julian. An executive from JPMorgan pointed at Chloe. “Julian,who is this beautiful lady?” Julian raised his glass. He smiled broadly as he announced to the room. “Everyone,I’d like you to meet my fiancée,Chloe.”
A chorus of compliments erupted. A Goldman Sachs partner I knew spotted me in the corner. He looked surprised. “And this is Ms.Vance?” The hall fell silent. All eyes turned to me. Their gazes were a mix of curiosity,pity,and scorn. Julian didn’t even look back. His tone was light. “She’s just a distant cousin.” Ten years together. He erased our past with one sentence. Now I was just a”distant cousin.” Halfway through dinner,Chloe walked toward me with a glass of red wine. She stumbled on purpose. The entire glass of wine spilled onto my gray gown. “Oops,I am so clumsy!My bad,Ella!” She covered her mouth,feigning shock. But her eyes held a triumphant glint. Julian rushed over. He shoved me aside and checked on Chloe. “Are you okay?Is the baby okay?” He snapped at me. “What are you doing standing here?You know her pregnancy is high-risk,and you still stood in her way?Go to the restroom and clean up.Stop embarrassing me.” The gala ended. I waited in the parking garage for the driver. Chloe cried out. “Julian,I twisted my ankle.It hurts.” Without a word,Julian crouched down. “Get on.I’ll carry you.” Chloe climbed onto his back. She looked at me over his shoulder. She silently mouthed the words: Ten years can’t compete with my three-month-old baby. I stopped walking. Julian turned back,his voice impatient. “Ella Vance,hurry!The Bentley key is in your bag!” I stopped dead in my tracks. “Get the key over here!”he yelled. I opened my purse. The crystal-studded car key was in my hand. I threw it onto the oil-stained pavement. The clatter of metal was sharp and piercing. Julian froze. I didn’t look at him again. I hailed a yellow cab and left. Back at the penthouse,the MacBook screen lit up. I dragged thousands of our photos into the trash and hit delete. Photos from college until now. All the cloud backups were encrypted. Every password was changed. A message from Julian arrived. “Remember the bridesmaid dress fitting tomorrow.Chloe wants pink.” I didn’t reply. I wasn’t enduring. I was collecting evidence and waiting for the right moment. Three packed Rimowa suitcases stood in the corner of the living room. I was ready to leave.
“This pink dress suits you,Ella.Come try it on.” Wearing my custom wedding gown,Chloe shoved a cheap pink bridesmaid dress into my arms. Julian sat on the sofa,reading The Wall Street Journal. He didn’t even look up. “Go change.Don’t keep Chloe waiting.” I went into the fitting room and changed. When I came out,Chloe was hanging off Julian’s arm,all soft smiles and fake sweetness. Julian lowered the newspaper. The awe in his eyes was only for Chloe in her wedding gown. “Beautiful.You make anything look good.” Chloe walked over to me. She took my hand. Her voice was soft,but every word was meant to hurt. “Ella,you have to be happy for us.We’re best friends.The three of us will live together from now on.My child will call you godmother.You can stay home and help me with the baby.I’ll have Julian pay you a monthly salary.” Julian chimed in. “Ella,Chloe’s being generous.She’s literally trying to make sure you’re taken care of.” Watching their performance was absurd. I pulled my hand away. I took off the pink bridesmaid dress and tossed it on the sofa. “I’m not wearing this.”
“Ella Vance,what the hell is your problem now?” Julian shot to his feet. I ignored him and walked out of the bridal shop. That afternoon,the wedding rehearsal was held at St.Patrick’s Cathedral. Chloe linked arms with Julian,walking down the flower-lined aisle. I sat in the pews. A complete outsider. The rehearsal ended. I was the only one left in the vast cathedral. Julian came back for his car keys. He saw me and hesitated,then sat down beside me. “Ella,I know this is hard on you.” He lit a cigar. “I haven’t forgotten what you did for me.I’ll compensate you generously when the baby is born.You can have anything you want.The only thing I can’t give you is the title of Mrs.Thorne.” I turned to look at him. Light from the stained-glass windows fell on his profile. My voice was ice-cold. “Julian,in these ten years,was there ever a single moment you felt you owed me anything?” The hand holding his cigar paused. He was silent for a few seconds,then blew out a ring of smoke. “From my small apartment in Brooklyn to a penthouse on Central Park.For ten years,I gave you the best life in New York.My conscience is clear.” Those four words were a blade of ice. They severed the last thread of hope inside me. “Fine.I understand.” I stood up.
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