Chapter 3

Tiana never got invited to these tea parties where socialites and rich wives gathered. She had a bad reputation, and her family didn't favor her. In the elite social circle, she was considered socially worthless. The next day, Tiana attended Irene's tea party. By the time she arrived, plenty of people were already there. Irene sat at the center like the star of the show, basking in all the attention. Tiana sat in a corner and quietly helped herself to the food and drinks. The moment she heard Joseph's voice, she clenched her fist, making the pastry in her hand crumble. Jealous chatter exploded all around. "Irene, Mr. Quill is so busy he often skips board meetings, yet he actually made time to spend a whole afternoon at our tea party just for you?" "When you first said you could get him to come, we thought you were joking." "You and Mr. Quill are already married, right? When's the wedding?" "Mr. Quill, I heard you've been scouting wedding venues lately. Any chance we could collaborate?" Sitting outside the crowd, Tiana looked up and met Joseph's eyes from a distance. His lips were at Irene's ears, clearly whispering some sweet nothings to her. Irene followed Joseph's line of sight, noticing Tiana. A flash of malice flitted across her eyes. She left the circle and walked over to Tiana, looping her arm through the latter's like they were close. Tiana dug her nails into her palms, repeating one thing to herself—one more month. She would wait for the month Joseph had promised. He'd never broken his promises to her, and they'd been together for seven years. Maybe he would follow through. Maybe he would marry her. Just as her patience was about to run out, Irene leaned in and whispered, "Do you know how Joseph describes you to me, Tiana? He says you're the kind of tramp he doesn't even have to spend money on. All he needs to do is say a few nice words, and you'll spread your legs. "Did he promise to marry you in a month? That's when our wedding will be. He told me he'll make a spectacle of you on that day. He'll show all of Jafton that you, the Jensen family's adoptive daughter, are good for any man who asks. "Last night, he was the one who told me to send you our marriage certificate. He said he was in bed with you at the time and wanted to see if you'd still willingly let him…" Irene didn't finish her sentence, but the insinuation was clear. Then, a crisp slap echoed throughout the room, making everyone fall silent. Tiana slapped Irene so hard that she fell to the floor. For the first time ever, Joseph lost control in public. He rushed forward to help Irene up before turning to Tiana, lifting his hand high. She stared straight at him, tilting half her face toward his raised palm, offering it up. His hand balled into a fist in the air before slowly lowering. "What are you doing?" he snapped, grabbing Tiana by the collar and dropping his voice. "You shouldn't even be here in the first place! Apologize to Irene now and say you lost it because you were jealous. Then, go home!" Tiana laughed, looking stunning as she did. "Why would I be jealous of her?" She kept her tone low enough for only the two of them to hear, her words shooting forth like bullets. "Jealous that you dated me while chasing her for seven years? Jealous that though we're both adopted, you dragged my name through the dirt while putting her on a pedestal? "Jealous that you married her on the same day you promised you'd marry me in a month?" She couldn't help raising her voice on that last line. The slap Joseph didn't deliver before came crashing down in front of everyone, cutting off her final sentence. He regretted it the moment his hand moved. He only wanted her to shut up, yet his palm turned numb from the force with which he'd slapped her. Tiana stood straight as blood trickled from the corner of her mouth. Joseph looked at her, his tone taking on a barely audible plea as he said, "Ana, I'm begging you—don't cause a scene in public. I promised I'd marry you in a month, and I will. Trust me, okay?" She shut her eyes. There were 29 days left. Whether or not she believed him, he would have 29 days to go to deal all the damage he wanted. "I believe you. 29 days from now, I'll wait for you to come to the Jensen residence to ask for my hand in marriage." She used up all her strength to say that, then turned to leave. However, Joseph grabbed her hand tightly and yanked her back. "You haven't apologized to Irene, Ana. You can't leave. Today is her day, so you need to give her that respect." Tiana looked at him icily. "Apologize to Irene? Over my dead body." Joseph snapped at her stubbornness and raised his voice. "Someone, get over here!"