Chapter 003

DIANA

I'm dead meat. For sure.

What the h*ll did I do last night?

Ugh. Ruther Yanno Wrevco, F*CK YOU!!

I was still drowning in regret when my father's voice sliced through the morning silence.

"Mr. Wrevco just arrived in the Philippines last night. You better prepare yourself, Diana. Fix yourself. Be a woman of class. Your engagement party will be in three days."

His words hit me like a slap.

I averted my gaze to my mother, silently begging for help, but she only raised an eyebrow at me, disappointment evident in her face.

I pouted and mouthed, 'Help me, Mom.'

She sighed and placed her spoon down before turning to my father. Her voice was gentle, but firm. "Honey, maybe we can give Diana some time to decide. She's still young and has dreams to chase."

A flicker of hope sparked inside me. Mom is sane at all. Unlike my father, insane.

"No, honey. Let her dreams chase her. Once she becomes a Wrevco, famous designers will be fighting over her." His voice was cold, final. His plan was set in stone, and I had no say in it.

Then, he turned his full attention to me. His sharp eyes locked onto mine, and I could already hear the words coming before he even said them.

"And you, Diana," he continued, voice full of authority, "You're lucky to be Mr. Wrevco's wife. Grab the opportunity—wealth and fame."

I swallowed hard, my stomach twisting into knots.

Lucky?

I didn't feel lucky at all.

I forced myself to finish my breakfast in silence. The tension at the table was suffocating, but I endured it. The moment I had the chance, I stood up and excused myself, practically fleeing back to my room.

The second I shut the door behind me, I let out a frustrated groan and threw myself onto the bed. My head was pounding—not just from the alcohol but from everything.

I grabbed my phone and immediately called Heather.

She answered on the third ring.

"What now?" she groaned. "It's too early for your drama, Diana."

I rolled my eyes. "Too early? It's almost noon, Athe."

"Exactly. It's too early." She yawned dramatically. "Anyway, what's up? Did your dad finally sell you off?"

I sighed. "Worse. Ruther Yanno Wrevco is back."

There was silence on the other end before Pia let out an ear-splitting squeal. "OH. MY. GOD! So, you're finally gonna be Mrs. Wrevco?! Bitch, that's an upgrade!"

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Athe, you're missing the point! I don't want to marry him!"

"Then what do you want?" she asked, amusement clear in her tone.

I hesitated. Should I tell her?

F*ck it.

"Athe... I did something really, really stupid last night."

Her excitement vanished. "Wait. What do you mean? What did you do?"

I bit my lip. "I... I had a little encounter last night."

"Oh? Finally got laid?" Heather teased.

"No! I mean... almost?" My voice was small, embarrassed.

There was silence on the line before my friend burst into laughter.

"Wait, wait, wait. So, let me get this straight—you almost had s*x last night? With some random guy?"

I winced. "Uh... not exactly random."

"Then who—"Her voice suddenly cut off, and then she gasped so loudly I had to pull my phone away from my ear.

"HOLY SH*T. Don't tell me... don't f*cking tell me it was your soon-to-be-husband!"

I groaned again. "F*ck my life."

"OH MY GOD, DIANNE!!" Heather shrieked. "You dirty b*tch! You let your fiancé f*nger-f*ck you at the club?!"

"Shut up, Athe!" I hissed, my face burning. "It wasn't supposed to happen! I didn't even know it was him! I was drunk, okay?! It was just—ugh! He was just there and then—"

"And then you spread your legs and let him play with your p*ssy?"She interrupted, laughing.

I threw a pillow at the air. "I hate you!"

"No, you don't," she snickered. "So... was it good?"

I hesitated. The memory flashed in my head—his rough hands, the way his fingers knew exactly where to touch, the heat of his breath against my neck, the way my body melted into his...

F*ck.

"Athe, I'm doomed," I whispered. "It was so good."

Heather gasped dramatically. "Oh my god. Dianne. You're down bad."

"Shut up, but I don't want to marry him." I scoffed.

"You shut up. You're telling me you got f*ngered by your supposed future husband, and you liked it? Girl, just admit it. You want him."

I scowled. "It's not like that."

"Then what's it like?" Heather challenged. "I'll tell Von about it. I knew they'll be here the next day."

I opened my mouth—then closed it.

I didn't have an answer.

Because the truth was?

I had no f*cking idea. All I wanted is to be free and to marry someone I love.