It started with a smile that didn't feel real.
Bella greeted Vince with her usual airy kiss on the cheek as he arrived at their food tasting. "You're late," she said, but her eyes were on her phone.
"I had work," Vince replied shortly, pulling out a chair across from her. "Big project deadline."
Bella didn't even look up. "Of course."
Vince glanced at the spread of canapés on the table. Everything looked perfect. Everything always did — when Bella was in control.
But today, something felt off. Off for days, if he was being honest.
The sparkle in her voice was too forced. Her sweetness was calculated. And when she held his hand for photos earlier, it wasn't warmth he felt — it was pressure.
"Babe," he said carefully, "are you... happy?"
Bella blinked. "What kind of question is that?"
"Just answer."
She smiled. "Of course. I'm marrying you."
But her fingers were already back on her phone. Typing something.
Chloe arrived late that day — for the first time since they met.
Her hair was tied in a low bun, and her eyes were dull, heavy.
"Sorry," she said softly. "Traffic."
Vince smiled at her despite himself. "You're human after all."
Chloe offered a weak chuckle. "Barely."
But as she sat beside the florist, flipping through fabric samples and seating plans, Vince noticed it.
The way her hands trembled ever so slightly.
The way she avoided his eyes.
And the way Bella kept glancing at her, like a queen watching her knight tremble under pressure.
He was tired of the game — even if he didn't know the full rules yet.
Later that afternoon, Vince returned to the Crisostomo ancestral home to pick up a suit for final fitting. Bella had said she'd left fabric swatches in the study.
What he found instead... was a message.
On the screen of Bella's open iPad.
A chat thread with Maverick.
Bella: He's still clueless.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXx8nsdsKKL
Bella: I swear, Chloe's getting attached. Might be a problem.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxfPFM4CHE
Bella: You need to keep her away from Vince. We can't risk her spilling.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzKTIXHs20
Maverick: I got it covered. She's not the type to make a scene.30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MqIwIDp3J
Bella: No one ruins this wedding. Not even him.
Vince felt the blood drain from his face.
Clueless?
Keep Chloe away?
"Not even him."
He clenched his fists, heart pounding in his ears.
Everything slammed into place — Chloe's hesitation. Her disappearing smile. Her distance.
She knew.
Chloe was packing her planner bag when she heard heavy footsteps behind her. She turned — and froze.
Vince.
His eyes were blazing.
"Did you know?" he asked.
She stood still. "Vince—"
"Did you know they were using me?"
Chloe looked away. "It's not what you think."
"Don't lie to me, Chloe."
"I wasn't lying!" she snapped. "I was trying to protect you!"
Vince scoffed. "From what? From the truth?"
"From pain!" she cried. "I didn't want to be the one to hurt you—"
"But you let them do it."
"I didn't have a choice."
He took a step forward. "We always have a choice."
Tears welled in her eyes. "I was just the planner. I wasn't supposed to care."
"But you did."
She nodded slowly. "Too much."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Vince's expression hardened. "So what now? Do I just walk down the aisle and pretend I don't know?"
"No," Chloe whispered. "But... please don't do anything yet. Not until you're sure. Please."
Vince stared at her for a moment longer.
Then, without a word, he turned around — and walked away.
Denise arrived just as Chloe sank into a nearby chair, shaking.
"Oh my God," Denise whispered. "He found out?"
Chloe nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks. "He looked at me like I was part of it."
"You're not."
"But I didn't stop it either."
"Because you were scared. Anyone would be."
"But he didn't walk toward me, Den." Chloe's voice cracked. "He walked away. And not just from me... from everything."
Meanwhile, Vince drove aimlessly, thoughts swirling like a storm.
Bella. Maverick. Lies.
And Chloe.
Of all the people, he hadn't expected it from her.
He parked the car along an empty street and stared at the wheel.
He didn't go to Bella.
He didn't return to the house.
But he didn't go back to Chloe either.
Because right now, he didn't know who to trust.
And the cruelest part?
His heart still wanted her.
But his pride... refused to admit it.
30Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBkwNnq7kL
and then Add to home screen.