Chapter 2

"No!" She'd looked forward to this engagement for so long—so long that she'd lost sleep, daydreaming of happiness just within reach. How could it all come crashing down because of some stupid misunderstanding? Lila had loved Ethan for years, so deeply she'd totally lost herself in it. She would've given everything, her whole heart, just to be with him. But now... he was saying it was off? Tears spilled uncontrollably from Lila’s wide, stunned eyes. For a moment, just a second, Ethan’s heart twinged seeing her like that. Then, without another glance, he turned cold as ice, threw on his indifferent mask, and walked away with Ava. Lila opened her mouth, trying to explain everything, but all she could see was Ethan's emotionless back disappearing from her view. Her gaze dropped to the photo in the magazine. Even though her face was pixelated, it was clearly her. When had that "damn photo" been taken? Why did she have zero memory of it? Lila curled in on herself, completely defeated. Just hours ago, she'd truly believed she could finally marry the man she'd loved for what felt like forever. Now? Her world was turned upside down like she'd been reset to zero. She spent the whole day wandering aimlessly through the streets, directionless. It felt like everyone around was whispering, pointing, judging her from that photo—like her privacy had been stripped bare for all to see. She felt so ashamed and crushed she didn’t even dare walk in direct sunlight, terrified someone might recognize her. That shame made her feel like a rat scurrying through shadows, hiding wherever light didn’t reach. The city lights sparkled, but none of them seemed lit for her—they just felt farther and farther away. When evening fell, she finally dragged herself back to the White residence. Standing at the doorstep, she wiped the tears from her face. Whatever had happened, she still had her family—they’d face it together. Only, when she walked inside, it wasn’t what she expected. The house was dead silent, so quiet it was suffocating. Her heart tensed, beating out of control, panic starting to rise. “Dad? Mom?” No response. Just then, her phone rang, cutting through the heavy stillness. She answered it, only caught a single sentence, then the phone slipped from her hand and crashed to the ground. She didn’t remember how she got to the hospital—her mind had gone completely blank, every step fueled only by numbing dread. The hospital hallway was packed. As soon as she spotted her mom, she ran toward her—only to be met with a sharp, stinging slap. “You disgusting little tramp! What the hell did you do?! Our family must’ve been cursed to end up with a shameful daughter like you!” Mrs. White’s words made Lila tremble, her chest tight, like she couldn’t breathe. “What... what about Dad? How is he?” “You dare ask?! Thanks to your little drama with Ethan, he called off the engagement! And the debt collectors hunted your dad so hard—he jumped off a damn building! He’s in the ER right now fighting for his life!” Lila felt like she’d been smashed over the head—ears ringing, thoughts scattering. That warm, caring father who always spoiled her... had actually jumped, because of her... “Mom, I swear you’ve got it wrong! I didn’t do any of it!” She clutched at her mother’s hand, sobbing, desperate for a chance to explain. But Mrs. White yanked her arm back in pure disgust. “I don’t care what you did or didn’t do. Even if it kills you—go beg Ethan and get that funding back!” “Mom…” “Don’t call me that! You’re no daughter of mine! I wish I never gave birth to you!” Every word from her mom was like a poisoned knife digging into Lila’s chest. She wiped her eyes, but everything in front of her was still just a blur. For Dad’s sake… she had to go find Ethan.