Chapter 3

Oscar Porter was Dominic's biggest rival. As the head of the Porter family, he was someone everyone in Harborlyn treated like a walking warning sign. Five years ago, he'd fallen for Lila at first sight and gone after her with everything he had. He'd put on 99 firework shows over Harborlyn Bay just to see her smile once. The jewelry and designer clothes he sent could've filled a room. But Lila had already given her heart to Dominic, and she'd always felt Oscar had ulterior motives. She was convinced Oscar was only pursuing her to get under Dominic's skin, so she never gave him so much as a glance. Oscar hadn't backed down. He'd even warned her, saying Dominic wasn't good for her and would hurt her sooner or later. Lila hadn't listened and had gotten engaged to Dominic anyway. In the end, Oscar let her go, leaving her with one final promise. "If you ever regret it, or if he hurts you, just call me. I'll be waiting for you. Always." Then, he got on a plane that same night and left the country. It had already been five years. She had no idea if Oscar even remembered that promise. The next second, his answer couldn't have been clearer. Instead of texting back, Oscar called. His voice came through low and rough. "Of course it still counts. I'll give you a month. After that, I'm coming back, and I'll give you a wedding the whole city will talk about." Lila hesitated. "There's something I need to tell you. I... was pregnant with Dominic's baby once. Does that bother you?" The man on the other end didn't pause for even a heartbeat. "Lila, I don't care about your past. I just want you to marry me without looking back." "Alright," she replied softly. Right then, the bedroom door swung open. "Lila, who are you on the phone with?" Dominic asked. She ended the call at once. "A friend." Dominic was controlling by nature. If he knew she planned to marry Oscar, he'd never let it go. The last thing she needed was more chaos. It was safer to keep this from him, at least for now. Dominic just nodded and didn't press further. He walked over and pulled a velvet box from his pocket, taking out a diamond necklace. "I had my assistant snag this at an auction. Let me put it on you." He'd mess things up first and then try to smooth it over with a gift. It had always been his way. Lila had always been easy to coax because she'd loved him. But now, she wouldn't give in so easily anymore. She turned her head away, dodging his hands. "Just leave it there. I'll try putting it on later," she said flatly. Dominic's brows drew together. "Didn't I already tell you Pearl won't affect our wedding? Why are you—" "I'm not mad," Lila cut in. "I'm just tired." She'd already decided she was done loving him. Without love, there was nothing left to be angry over. Dominic looked at her pale, exhausted face, his frown deepening. "Did my mom get on your case again?" Lila let out a derisive laugh. "When have you had a scandal and she hasn't taken it out on me?" Beatrice would never so much as raise her voice at her own son, so Lila ended up being the one she lashed out at. Dominic frowned. "I told you, if she gives you a hard time again, call me." Lila gave a bitter smile and said nothing. What good would it do to call him? If Beatrice found out she'd complained, the punishment would only get worse. Besides, she'd be gone for good in a month. Beatrice wouldn't get another chance to lay a hand on her. Dominic lifted the blanket. Her knees, usually so fair, were scraped raw, with fresh blood still seeping through her skin. His chest tightened. He immediately told the housekeeper to bring disinfectant and cotton pads, then carefully cleaned her wounds himself. His eyes seemed to mist over, just enough to give the illusion of a man who actually cared. Lila bit down hard on her lip, refusing to let her tears spill. "From now on, don't bother with her," Dominic said hoarsely. "If anything happens, I'll handle it." She'd once have cried from gratitude at those words. Now, they just sounded ridiculous. If he'd ever been truly dependable, Beatrice wouldn't have had free rein to walk all over her all these years. Back then, Lila had been blind, unable to tell the difference between a man worth loving and someone who treated her like a doormat. At least she'd finally come to her senses. Suddenly, Dominic's phone rang. Beatrice's name flashed across the screen. "Dominic, you're not getting any younger. Stop fooling around with those women. How do you expect your father to trust you with the company? "And you and Lila are getting married soon. Tell her to hurry up and give me a grandchild. It's been five years, and she still hasn't gotten pregnant..." Beatrice kept talking, but her words turned into static in Lila's ears. Her face went completely blank. Her body trembled. She didn't notice that Dominic was watching her closely, his gaze turning darker and sharper with every second. He cut Beatrice off with some excuse and ended the call. "Lila, are you hiding something from me?" he asked. The question struck her clean across the nerves, sending her heart racing out of control. Was he talking about the baby? He was the child's father. He had every right to know what had happened. With that thought, Lila drew a slow breath, ready to finally tell him everything. But before she could speak, his phone rang again. Dominic glanced at the caller ID, and whatever concern he'd had a second ago vanished. He tossed the cotton pads aside. "There's an urgent matter at the office," he said. "We'll talk later." Without waiting for her reply, he just turned around and left. Dominic didn't have to say who it was, but Lila already knew it was Pearl. An hour later, Lila received a message from Pearl. It was a photo of Dominic behind the wheel of his sports car, his profile sharp and striking, with Pearl sitting in the passenger seat. "Give it up. Dominic doesn't love you. All I have to do is call, and he comes running." Lila's breath snagged in her throat. Dominic had once told her that a man's passenger seat was reserved for his wife. His words still rang in her ears. Now, they were nothing but a joke. Right then and there, Lila let go of the idea of confessing anything to him. He didn't love her. There was no point digging up old wounds. "I don't want him anymore. If you like him, he's yours," she replied. After spending the entire night kneeling in the family hall, Lila was drained and exhausted. Not long after she sent the message, sleep dragged her under. She didn't sleep for long. A burst of noise yanked her awake. The bedroom door swung open, and Dominic walked in with Pearl. Pearl's makeup was flawless, her expression full of smug provocation. "Lila, we meet again!" Lila's eyes went cold. "You're not welcome here. Get out!" "I brought her here," Dominic said calmly. "If we're putting on a show, we're seeing it through. She'll be staying here this month until that spoiled rich guy finally gives up on her. "Get up and pack. You're moving out of the master bedroom. Pearl's taking it."