Chapter 3After I Came Home

After the Blackwood engagement announcement, the old stories resurfaced.

The online rumors about how I had viciously pushed Victoria Prescott down a flight of stairs were everywhere.

Half the internet was sending their blessings; the other half was cursing my name.

"OMG, finally! They announced it! Wishing them a lifetime of happiness!"

"Hehe, a match made in heaven. Can't wait for the beautiful babies!"

"They have to be happy forever!"

…

"And what about Aurora? Too scared to show her face? She must be dying of jealousy."

"Heard she was forcibly sent abroad."

"Such a wicked girl. Did she really think Donovan would love her if she got rid of the competition?"

"All that scheming, haha, and for what? It all failed in the end. Bad people never win."

I stared at the screen, numb, then closed the browser.

I never expected my father to bring Donovan home for dinner that evening.

I was just coming downstairs when I saw him.

I froze on the landing, my entire body going numb.

Why was he here? In my family's house?

As the CEO of Blackwood Enterprises, he knew everything. He would have known the second I landed.

No, that's not right.

The only reason I could come back at all was because he had given his permission.

My father gestured for him to go to the study, then shot a look at my mother, silently telling her to get me out of sight before I caused a scene.

I followed my mother to the living room with my head down.

The study door was left ajar.

If I just tilted my head, I could see his tall silhouette.

A crisp black suit, sharp, stylish hair.

He was always a king among men, exuding a power and charisma no one could match.

I glanced over again.

It seemed my father was looking for a document.

Donovan didn't even sit down. The tea on the table remained untouched. He took the file and prepared to leave.

"Rory, darling, what do you think of this purse?" my mother asked, trying to distract me.

I turned and looked.

"It's beautiful, Mom."