Chapter 2

The next morning, I made the first call. My hands were steady as I dialed Ethan' s number. He answered on the third ring, his voice clipped and impatient.

"Scarlett? What do you want? I' m busy."

"I' ve been thinking," I said, my voice calm and even. I had practiced it in the mirror. "About the wedding."

There was a pause. I could almost hear the calculations running in his head.

"What about it?" he asked, a new note of caution in his tone.

"I think we should postpone it," I said.

"Postpone?" His voice sharpened. "Why? The IPO is just weeks away. This is the perfect time. It will be great for press."

"I know," I said softly. "But it all feels a bit rushed with everything going on. Your work is so important right now. I don't want to be a distraction. Let' s wait until after the launch, when we can really focus on it."

He was silent for a long moment. I knew what he was thinking. A public postponement could look bad. But a supportive fiancée stepping back so her brilliant partner could achieve his dreams? That was a story he could sell.

"I... I guess I understand," he finally said, the fake warmth returning to his voice. "That' s very thoughtful of you, Scarlett. You' ve always been so supportive."

The lie was so thick I could barely breathe.

Later that day, Bethany called me. Her voice was dripping with false sweetness.

"Scar! Ethan told me what you did. That is so... generous of you. Most women would be so demanding, but you' re always thinking of him first. It' s why he loves you so much."

My stomach churned. I remembered all the times Bethany had "supported" me in the past, all the secrets I had told her, secrets she had undoubtedly passed right along to Ethan. The hatred was a bitter taste in my mouth, a deep, cold fury that I had to keep locked down tight. On the outside, I was calm. Inside, I was remembering every single wound, every betrayal.

"He needs to focus on the IPO," I said, my voice smooth as glass. "It' s the most important thing right now."

"You' re amazing," she gushed. "We should get lunch soon and celebrate you!"

I ended the call and leaned my head against the cold window of my new, starkly modern apartment. This was the first move. The first small step in a very long game.

That evening, I met Ethan for dinner. He chose a ridiculously expensive restaurant where people would see us. He was playing the part of the devoted fiancé perfectly.

Halfway through the meal, I looked at him, my expression serious.

"Ethan," I started, my voice quiet. "Since we' re postponing, I think... I think maybe I should give you the ring back. For now."

He froze, his fork hovering over his plate. "What? Why would you do that?"

"It just feels... wrong to wear it," I said, looking down at the brilliant diamond on my finger. It was a ring he' d bought with the first advance he got using my stolen code. "It' s a promise. And right now, our promise is on hold. Let' s put it away somewhere safe. When the time is right, after the IPO, you can give it back to me. It will be a fresh start."

This was it. The first real test. I was taking back the symbol of his ownership.

He stared at me, his eyes narrowed. He was searching for an angle, a trick. He couldn' t find one. My logic was flawless, my reasoning sounded selfless.

"Are you sure?" he asked, trying to sound concerned.

I nodded slowly, already pulling the ring off my finger. The metal was cold against my palm. I held it out to him across the table.

"I' m sure," I said.

He hesitated for a second longer, his jaw tight. Then, he reached out and took it from my hand, his fingers closing around it possessively. He was confused, thrown off balance. He thought he was in control of the situation, but for the first time in years, a piece of the game had moved that he didn't expect.

He didn't know it yet, but he had just willingly given up the first piece of his kingdom.

---