Chapter 3The Light in His Darkest Chase

He wasn't entirely wrong. I married Rowan Astor for the money.

A year ago, he had a massive falling out with his family. Desperate to derail an arranged corporate marriage, Rowan walked up to me on the very first night we met and asked me to marry him.

It was a night just like this. Same bar. Same stage.

He looked at me and said, "You've got a decent voice, and you're easy on the eyes. Want to marry me and get my family off my back?"

In exchange, he offered a staggering payout.

I was drowning in bills and desperate for cash. Plus, he was painfully gorgeous. I said yes without skipping a beat.

I still remember the way he froze, clearly not expecting me to agree. Then, a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. "You've got guts."

I smiled back. "I'm not the one losing out."

I only realized later that the money was hard-earned.

I never fit into his world. Those trust-fund brats looked at my working-class background like dirt on their shoes.

At one of his private parties, Rowan stepped out to take a call. One of his frat brothers, heavily buzzed, leaned over and sneered at me. He told me that if Serena hadn't moved to Paris, a nobody like me wouldn't even be allowed to breathe the same air as Rowan, let alone hold the title of Mrs. Astor.

Back then, I was reckless and practically fearless. I raised my champagne glass right at him. "A psychic once told me I was destined for filthy wealth. Hearing you say that makes me think the guy was spot on."

The guy choked on his drink. But after that night, I stopped going to Rowan's parties.

His friends hated me, and the Astor family treated me like a ghost.

Rumor had it his mother had handpicked a world-class cellist with a sterling pedigree for him, not some trashy, starving artist who sang in dive bars.

The night we left the Astor family estate for the first time, Rowan reached out and laced his fingers through mine. He tilted his head, giving me that trademark lazy grin. "Don't let my mom get to you."

I glanced down at our intertwined hands and teased him. "Did you forget to mention to them that I'm technically a musician, too?"

His eyes crinkled with genuine amusement. He nodded solemnly.

"My mistake. Next time I introduce my wife, I'll be sure to include your prestigious titles. Let's skip telling my mom, though. Her heart is fragile. She might actually pass out."

Looking back, the marriage had its fair share of humiliations, but it was never unbearable.

Rowan always made it worth my while. We were just two people using each other to get exactly what we wanted.