Chapter 5

Footsteps echoed.

Damian walked right back in for his AirPods.

He froze when he saw my face.

Beep. The call disconnected.

He lunged to kill the audio. Too late.

He frowned in confusion.

"What's with that look?"

"Ava, are you losing your mind again?"

"We have a fitting at Vera Wang tomorrow at 10 AM."

"Did you forget?"

My voice was razor-sharp. I barely recognized it.

Damian rubbed his temples.

"I'm flying out with Chloe tomorrow."

"We have a meeting with a European fund manager."

"The tickets are booked."

He didn't even pause to think.

"It's just a dress, Ava."

"Go by yourself. Don't you trust my taste?"

"Or take Olivia."

In one second, he replaced me.

A once-in-a-lifetime wedding dress? Totally useless.

Networking with his "partner"? Top priority.

"No." I didn't blink.

Damian stared at the stock charts on his screen.

Chloe's voice still nagged through his earpiece.

He finally lost his patience.

"Ava Sterling! Can I have my own career?"

"Do I have to revolve around you 24/7 just because we're getting married?"

Revolve around me?

A bitter laugh escaped.

He was unreachable all day.

His nights belonged to Chloe and their conference calls.

Every detail of our wedding was dumped on me.

My time is money. You handle the little things.

That was his favorite excuse.

His world was packed with VIPs and big deals.

I was just background noise in his grand blueprint.

I looked at him. My chest was hollow.

"Damian."

"Am I the only one getting married here?"