Prologue - Flashforward

If anyone in high society were asked who Millicent Bianchi was, there would be only one answer: She was the eldest daughter of Massimo Bianchi. And, because of that, she had everything.

Even though she doesn't deserve it. 

She had a loving family, loyal friends, a job she had achieved without any effort and a surname that carried a legacy too great for someone as mediocre as her... 

And now, she also had a flawless engagement party. Courtesy of a perfect groom to a not-so-perfect bride. This was very clear to everyone, as her future husband was happily greeting all the High Society bigwigs who were scattered around the Bianchi’s garden, while Millicent was there, hidden in the shadows, observing everything from afar.

Like always. 

“You know you don’t have to force yourself to do this.” Her mother’s gentle voice whispered in her ear “It’s a big step. If you don’t want to go through with all of this, your father and I will be here to protect you and sort things out.”

“I know you will be.” Millicent struggled to smile at her, hating that she was worrying her poor mother on what was supposed to be one of the most special days of their lives “But… This time, I'm going to stand on my own two feet. I chose to be here today.” She looked back toward the party, watching as her fiancé and her bridesmaids chatted nearby, looking around as if they were looking for her “And I'm not going to let any of my stupid fears stop me from doing what I need to do.” 

“Millicent…”

“Well, I think I've taken a break long enough.” Millicent took a deep breath, trying to ignore any feelings other than her determination “Austin’s parents won’t forgive me if I leave their flawless party without a flawless bride.”

She did her best to keep a calm smile frozen on her face as she walked away from her mother, causing all eyes to turn in her direction, weighing heavily on her shoulders. However, that day, she didn't have time to feel intimidated or nervous around those people. Not when her only focus was the man standing near the drinks table, smiling prettily at her, tall and blond like the Prince Charming she used to read about in fairytales when she was just a little girl. And, next to him, was his friend Jasmine with a microphone in her hands, looking euphoric.

“There’s my future wife.” Austin wrapped his arms around her waist as Millicent approached, not even giving her the opportunity to say anything “I was wondering where you were. How could I properly start this party without you by my side to greet our guests?”

“Actually, I was looking for you. I know you warned me that something unexpected happened at the company, but after more than an hour, I got worried.” She stared at him, watching as the confident gleam in his eyes disappeared instantly “Did something happen?”

“Nothing you have to worry about, baby.” he cleared his throat, moving his hand away from her waist so he could straighten his tie “It’s all settled now.”

“Yes, Millie. This is not the time to talk about work.” Jasmine cut in, hugging Millicent's shoulders with a huge smile on her face as she waved the microphone around “Now, it's time for the bride and groom to give a speech and clear the dance floor. You know very well who I hope to dance with tonight.” She blinked, but her last words were drowned out by Austin’s growl.

“You know very well that I would never invite that man to one of the most important days of my life. Not when he would surely find a way to ruin everything.” Instead of shaking Jasmine’s contentment, Austin’s harsh glare only seemed to make her smile even wider “Besides, this is not the time to bring up bad things. We have a party to start…” 

“If you don't mind…” Millicent snatched the microphone from Jasmine's hand before Austin had the chance “I'd like to speak first. I prepared a surprise.” she smiled at their surprised looks “I think you'll like it.”

“Oh, baby… You’re so sweet.” Austin caressed her face, but Millicent stepped away before he could hug her “I'm the one who should have prepared something special to celebrate the fact the greatest woman in the world is about to become my Mrs. Carnby. But, please, continue. I can’t wait to see what you’ve prepared.” 

“Yes… Wait and see.” she muttered to herself as she turned on the microphone, causing the feedback to turn the attention of all the guests to her “Hello, everyone. Thank you all for being here today. I know you guys want to hear me talk about how much I love my fiancé and how this moment is one of the most special in my life.” Millicent ran her eyes around, meeting the sweet and loving looks of her father, her brother, her grandfather and all her uncles and aunts, which only made her heart pound faster “But, as I realized that simple words wouldn't be enough to express how I'm feeling right now, I prepared a surprise. Underneath each chair you all are sitting on is an envelope. I ask that you, please, open it…” she put her hand in the pocket of her dress, showing everyone exactly what these envelopes looked like “And, of course, I couldn’t miss one for my dear fiancé.”

“Thanks, baby.” he smiled, beaming as he opened the wax seal “This is so sweet… I can’t wait to…” Austin’s expression fell the instant the printed photos slid into his hand “What… What the fuck?!”

His gasp was just the first in a long wave of swearing, gasping and other reactions of pure shock as the other guests opened the envelopes…

And found photos of her fiancé fucking one of her best friends.

“I would love to be able to celebrate love today. But, as you can see, this is impossible. The wedding is off… As is any relationship between me and Austin Carnby.” Millicent turned her eyes to her ex-fiance's still stunned and horrified expression “Thank you all for your attention.”

Dropping the microphone into the hands of some waiter, she turned, walking towards where the flower beds were highest in the garden, while Austin shouted after her, in a mix of despair and outrage.

“Wait, Millie! This… You… This is not what you think…!”

“You son of a bitch!” Her father's voice cried out, not just furious, but also bloodthirsty “How could you do this to my daughter?!”

Millicent knew she had to take responsibility for calming the pandemonium she had created, but there was something more important she needed to do right now, before allowing herself to break down or reflect on what she had just done. Or, rather, there was someone she needed to find, before all this.

But for the first time, he was the one who came to her. 

“That was quite a show…” that deep voice sounded at the same moment she turned to see a man stepping out of the shadows, his blue eyes standing out against the moonlight, the same as Austin’s, but still completely different “I don’t say this often, but… I’m impressed.” He stopped in front of her, close enough for the strangely addictive smell of cologne and nicotine to envelop her. 

“You asked me how far I was willing to go.” She swallowed hard, refusing to be intimidated by his presence, even though the way he was leaning toward her was making her breath hitch “That's my answer. That's what I can do on my own against Austin. But, it’s nothing compared to what we can do together.” those sharp eyes watched her like a predator about to attack, now at the same height as hers “My proposal remains the same. But, what about your answer… Isaac?”

His attention strayed toward the engagement party, which had now become a hell of screaming and swearing, a far cry from the perfect event the Carnbys had planned. And, to Millicent's surprise, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, breaking his stony expression with a smile that was not just evil, but clearly satisfied.

“If you still need a revenge partner, Miss. Bianchi…” Isaac Carnby, the man who should have become her brother-in-law, brought her hand to his lips in a soft kiss, but one that still sent goosebumps across her skin “The pleasure will be all mine.”