Chapter 1

Joselyn Wright was known as the ultimate little miss goody-two-shoes in Azmarin's high-society circle.

The wildest thing she'd ever done was secretly date the sworn rival of her brother, Jarrett Wright, for three years.

Oh, and let him film her. Over and over again.

In a Maybach, Joselyn was completely bare, while Evan Lloyd remained impeccably dressed, with a phone resting beside him.

"Evan," she called out softly, "can you... stop recording?"

Evan paused for a fraction of a second before he let out a low chuckle. He lifted his head, his eyes reflecting her face. His gaze was laced with a hint of indulgence and teasing amusement.

"What's wrong? Getting shy now? Relax. No one else will ever see these. They're just for me when I miss you. Babe, let me have this, yeah?"

The way he called her "babe" made Joselyn flush all the way to the tips of her ears. His voice, smooth and coaxing, wrapped around her like a spell. She couldn't bring herself to refuse him.

She didn't know how long it had been, but eventually, the car stopped shaking, and everything finally came to an end.

Evan straightened his clothes, fastening his belt with a lazy precision before glancing down at her. He reached out and ruffled her hair.

"I've got a party to attend later. I'll have the driver take you home first, and I'll come over later, okay?"

Joselyn nodded and replied softly, "Okay."

After Evan left, Joselyn got dressed, still feeling a little dazed.

Just as she was about to call the driver, she noticed Evan's wallet on the seat. Without thinking, she grabbed it and hurried after him.

After confirming which private room Evan's party was in, she walked up to the door. It was slightly ajar. Just as Joselyn was about to step inside, a burst of laughter came from within.

"Evan, man, you were going at it so hard. When I walked in, I saw the whole Maybach shaking. What do you guys think? If Jarrett found out his sister was that wild with Evan, would he drop dead on the spot?"

Joselyn felt like she'd been struck by lightning. Every nerve in her body went numb.

"Hahaha! Evan and Jarrett have been at each other's throats for years. There's a reason they're called the Warborn Duo. Otherwise, Evan wouldn't have gone all out to screw him over. He staged a whole hero-saves-the-damsel act to rescue Joselyn and made her fall head over heels for him."

"Evan, you've been together for years. How many videos have you made? Must be over a hundred by now, right? When are you planning to release them? I'm dying to see what the little miss goody-two-shoes looks like stripped down under you. But more than that, I can't wait to see Jarrett's face when he finds out!"

Laughter erupted around the room. No one noticed the figure frozen outside the door.

Joselyn's mind went completely blank, a buzzing noise ringing in her ears.

Their words echoed in her head over again, growing louder and louder until they crashed like a deafening bell, threatening to shatter her skull.

Evan had staged the whole thing? He was dating her just to mess with Jarrett?

"Why so quiet, Evan? Back then, you approached Joselyn just to mess with Jarrett and make sure he'd never go against you again. Don't tell me you actually have feelings for her."

"Feelings?" The man who'd just been calling her "babe" sat back, raising his glass with a lazy smirk.

His voice was laced with mockery as he said, "Jarrett's my biggest rival. I only care about destroying him. I was just thinking about the perfect timing to release those videos. Maybe on Joselyn's birthday? I bet Jarrett's reaction will be priceless."

"Damn, Evan! Savage!"

Another round of laughter erupted. Their voices were filled with excitement and anticipation.

Joselyn's fingers trembled. Her legs felt weak; they could barely hold her up.

Suddenly, a waiter's voice sounded beside her. "Miss, are you going in?"

She jolted, snapping back to reality. She shoved Evan's wallet into the server's hands. "I-I'm not going in. Give this to Evan. Just say someone found it. Don't tell him I was here."

Then, she turned and ran. Tears blurred her vision as she fled into the night. Evan's cruel words echoed in her ears. "Jarrett's my biggest rival. I only care about destroying him."

Her chest tightened, a sharp, suffocating pain spreading through her chest.

So it turned out that he'd orchestrated their entire encounter from the very beginning.

Back then, despite Jarrett's objections, Joselyn had chosen to attend a university in Airedale because it had the best dance program in the country.

After graduation, she'd insisted on staying in Airedale, no matter how hard Jarrett had tried to convince her to return to Willesden. Their parents had spoiled her since she'd been a child, and Jarrett had always been the overprotective older brother. She'd wanted to prove she could build a life on her own.

Dance had been her whole world until she'd met Evan, the man everyone called Jarrett's sworn rival. For years, the two had fought over territory and business deals. Their rivalry was infamous.

And yet, it had been Evan who'd saved her. Twice.

The first time, Joselyn had been hit by a car. The driver had sped off, and the bystanders had hesitated, unwilling to get involved.

She'd been on the floor, bleeding and crying out for help. Evan was the one who'd pulled up in his Maybach, scooped her into his arms, and carried her away like some kind of savior.

The second time, someone had drugged her drink. Just as she'd been on the verge of being violated, Evan had carried her away, saving her once more. That night, he'd become her cure.

The next morning, she'd woken up to find him standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, lazily buttoning up his shirt. When he'd turned around, those beautiful eyes of his had nearly stolen the breath from her lungs.

Evan had leaned down, slowly closing the distance. "I wanted to ask you this from the first time we met. Do you like me, little one?"

Her mind had buzzed, completely blank as she'd stared at his strikingly handsome face. She hadn't been able to form a single word.

He, on the other hand, had curled his lips into a smirk. "No? Then why do you blush every time you see me? You even stole a kiss this morning. If I remember correctly, the effects of the drug had already worn off."

Embarrassed, Joselyn had tried to escape, but he'd pulled her back once again. With a smile in his eyes, he'd captured her lips in a gentle, lingering kiss.

After that day, they'd started dating officially.

For three years, Joselyn had believed they were in love. So many times, she'd imagined taking Evan home to Willesden to meet Jarrett. She'd thought that, with her there, the two men could finally put their differences aside. Looking back now, she realized she'd been so stupid.

She had no idea how far she'd run. When the cold rain started pelting her face, her phone rang in her hand.

It was Jarrett. Joselyn took a deep breath and answered.

"Josie, I've set up the biggest dance studio in Willesden just for you. I even found you a fiancé. Break up with that guy already, will you? You know Mom and Dad don't want you marrying someone who lives far away. They just want you to stay in Willesden, close to them."

The moment Joselyn heard his voice, tears flooded her eyes.

She swallowed down the lump in her throat and nodded. "I'm sorry, Jarrett. I've made you worry all these years. I'll return to Willesden and meet the fiancé you picked for me."

Chapter 2

On the other end of the line, Jarrett sounded almost disbelieving. "Josie, you're really coming back? And you're willing to meet the guy I picked for you? What about your boyfriend you're head over heels for?"

Joselyn's voice was soft. "I don't love him anymore. I never will again."

Jarrett's joy was short-lived. He immediately sensed something was off, and his tone turned cold. "Did he do something to you?"

Flashes of painful memories hit her all at once—those cruel words, the videos Evan had brushed off so carelessly, and his cold, detached voice.

The hurt cut deep, but Joselyn had to stay clearheaded.

Jarrett had always been overprotective. If he found out the truth, he'd storm into Airedale without a second thought. She couldn't have him worry about her. She needed to handle this herself.

"No, Jarrett," she said, forcing herself to stay calm. "I just need to take care of a few things first, and then I'll come home."

After a few more reminders, Jarrett finally hung up reluctantly. Joselyn put her phone down and headed home.

The moment she stepped inside, she went straight to the bathroom to wash away the exhaustion and disarray. Only after regaining her composure did she sit down at the coffee table, pull out a blank sheet of paper, and start making a list.

Her pen glided across the page as she wrote, "Throw things away. Pack my stuff. Quit my job. Say goodbye to friends. Delete the videos."

These were all the things she needed to take care of before she left. Her gaze lingered on the last item for a long time, her fingertips trembling slightly.

She thought about what she'd overheard at the club—their plans for her birthday. She had to leave before then.

Determined, she grabbed the calendar off the table and circled the date in red.

"Marking it down so I won't forget?" The villa's front door swung open, and Evan's voice drifted in, lazy and teasing.

Joselyn froze. The pen in her hand slipped, leaving an ugly scratch across the page.

She turned around to see him leaning against the doorframe with a suit jacket slung over one arm. His shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, revealing a glimpse of his sculpted collarbone.

His eyes landed on the calendar in her hands. The corner of his mouth curled up. "How could I forget your birthday, babe? I even have a big surprise planned."

Joselyn clenched the pen tighter and met his gaze, forcing a smile. "I have a surprise for you too."

Evan paused for a beat, then chuckled. "Why would you be planning surprises for me on your own birthday?" He strolled over and ruffled her hair before asking affectionately, "By the way, are you inviting Jarrett to your birthday party?"

Her heart skipped a beat, and her fingers tightened around the table's edge.

She looked up, keeping her expression neutral. "Do you want me to?"

As Evan looked down at her, something unreadable flickered in his eyes.

Smiling, he replied, "Sure, why not? We've been at each other's throats for years. Maybe it's time to let bygones be bygones. I mean, I hate losing, but what can I say? I like his little sister too much. No shame in surrendering for love, right?"

A lump formed in her throat. She couldn't say a word.

Evan leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her face away. "I'm not feeling great today. Let's not."

He paused for a second before chuckling softly and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Alright. Get some rest." With that, he disappeared into the bathroom.

Joselyn stood frozen, listening to the sound of running water. Her fingers clenched tightly around the edge of the table.

Her gaze fell on Evan's phone, which was casually tossed onto the couch. Her heartbeat pounded so fast it felt like it might burst from her chest.

She carefully picked up the phone, trying to be as quiet as possible. After several attempts at the password, she still couldn't unlock it.

Her fingers trembled as frustration and helplessness washed over her.

In the end, she set the phone back in its place. She forced herself to calm down and think of another plan.

…

The next morning, Evan woke up to find Joselyn packing. At her feet was a pile of matching couple's items—mugs, slippers, pillows. All of it.

Frowning, he walked over to her. His voice was laced with confusion as he asked, "Why are you getting rid of all this?"

Joselyn didn't look up. Calmly, she replied, "I don't like them anymore. I'll buy new ones later."

Evan didn't ask any further. He simply smiled. "Alright. Leave it. I'll have the housekeeper clean up. It's almost time. Should I take you to the dance studio first?"

She shook her head. "No need. I already quit."

He froze at her words. Frowning, he said, "I thought you loved dancing. Why did you quit so suddenly?"

Joselyn raised her head and looked at him calmly. "I'm just tired. I need a break."

Evan was silent for a few seconds before reaching out to tousle her hair. "Quitting isn't a bad idea. Dancing is exhausting anyway, and…" His fingers trailed lightly along her waist as his voice dropped to a husky murmur. "I'd rather keep this soft waist of yours to myself."

Joselyn stepped away, her voice distant. "You should get going."

After Evan left, she spent most of the day getting rid of all the couple's items. Standing in the now-empty living room, she felt as if something was stuck in her chest, making it hard to breathe.

Just then, her phone buzzed. It was a new message from an unknown number.

"Let's meet at Nocturne Cafe at 3:00 pm. I'm Evan's fiancée."

Joselyn's grip tightened around her phone, her knuckles turning white.

Chapter 3

Joselyn pushed open the door to the cafe. The soft chime of the wind chimes echoed through the space. Her gaze swept over the cafe before settling on a woman seated in the corner.

The woman was dressed in a perfectly tailored Chanel suit and had flawless makeup. Her every movement exuded a natural air of superiority.

Joselyn walked over, pulled out the chair across from her, and sat down without a hint of emotion on her face.

"I'm Megan Barr, Evan's fiancée." Megan got straight to the point. Her tone carried a trace of provocation.

Joselyn said nothing. She simply looked at Megan, her gaze calm and lifeless.

Megan clearly hadn't expected such a reaction. She frowned. "You're Evan's girlfriend. Now that he suddenly has a fiancée, don't you have anything to ask?"

Joselyn smirked. She felt nothing but emptiness.

Ask? What was there to ask? Ever since she'd overheard that conversation at the club, she'd already given up on Evan completely. Nothing he did could surprise her anymore.

Megan's expression darkened at Joselyn's silence. She'd announced her identity, expecting to see Joselyn break down, but the woman before her was like a block of ice. She was so cold and unyielding that there was nowhere to strike.

Megan gritted her teeth and said sharply, "The Lloyd and Barr families will be forming an alliance through marriage soon, and Evan has already agreed.

"No matter who you are, he's going to break up with you. So I'd suggest you walk away on your own. I can even offer you some money. Otherwise, you're only setting yourself up for humiliation."

Joselyn finally looked up, her gaze steady. "When are you making the announcement?"

Megan was momentarily startled but quickly regained her smugness. "Early next month. The exact date hasn't been decided yet, but it won't be long."

Early next month was right after Joselyn's birthday.

So Evan had already planned everything. He was going to release those videos on her birthday, break up with her, and then proceed with his engagement to Megan.

He really was ruthless.

Joselyn's voice was indifferent. "Did you even bother to look into me? If you had, you'd know I don't need your money. If you came here today to humiliate me, you've wasted your time."

Megan's face twisted with anger, but Joselyn didn't stop. She looked at Megan and added, "One more thing. Evan doesn't love anyone. He only loves himself. A marriage of convenience is fine, but if you fall for him, you'll regret it."

She stood up, ready to leave, but Megan suddenly shot up as well. She grabbed Joselyn's wrist and shouted in a shrill voice, "What gives you the right to say that about him?"

Before Joselyn could react, Megan snatched up her coffee and hurled it at Joselyn. The warm liquid trickled down her hair and cheeks, staining her clothes.

But Megan wasn't done. She shoved Joselyn hard, sending her crashing to the floor.

Joselyn's back slammed hard against the table's edge before she collapsed. Pain exploded in her head as it struck the floor. Her vision blurred instantly. When she reached up to touch her forehead, her fingertips were slick with blood.

Just then, the cafe doors burst open with a loud bang.

"What the hell are you doing, Megan?" A cold, furious voice rang out behind her.

Joselyn lifted her head and saw Evan striding toward them with a group of his men trailing behind. Dressed in a black trench coat, he looked even more menacing.

He shoved Megan aside without hesitation, grabbed a second cup of coffee from the table, and threw it right at her.

Then, without missing a beat, he stripped off his coat and wrapped it around Joselyn. His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Are you okay, Josie?"

Megan stared at him in disbelief. "I'm your fiancée, Evan! You threw coffee at me for her?"

Chapter 4

Evan ignored Megan completely. He only looked down at Joselyn and said softly, "Wait for me in the car. I'll take care of this and be right there."

Joselyn didn't say a word. She let him help her up and walked toward the door.

Her mind was blank, and her ears were ringing. It wasn't until she sat inside the car that her thoughts slowly started to clear.

Not long after, Evan's friends came out first. One of them knocked on the car window.

"Don't take it the wrong way, Joselyn. This whole engagement thing is Evan's family's arrangement. He didn't tell you because he wanted to handle it himself. He didn't expect Megan to pull a stunt like this. Evan's crazy about you. There's no way he'd be with anyone else."

Crazy about her?

Joselyn found it laughable, yet she kept her gaze lowered, her face devoid of any expression. She simply sat there in silence, like a lifeless statue.

A few moments later, Evan stepped out of the cafe. Megan was sobbing as she ran off, looking downright pathetic.

Evan dismissed his friends, then got into the car. He carefully tended to Joselyn's wounds with a look of quiet concern.

His touch was so light, it was as if he feared she might break. His voice was low as he said, "The marriage alliance was arranged by my family. I'm not going to marry her. I'll explain to my family soon. Don't overthink it."

Joselyn said nothing. She just kept staring straight ahead. "I get it. Let's go, Evan."

Evan looked at her, wanting to say more, but in the end, he just started the car. The silence inside the vehicle was suffocating. Joselyn closed her eyes, her thoughts a tangled mess.

Suddenly, the sharp screech of tires filled the air. Joselyn's eyes flew open, just in time to see a truck barreling straight toward them.

Her pupils constricted in shock. Before she could react, Evan lunged toward her and wrapped her tightly in his arms.

With a loud bang, her world spun. Joselyn lost consciousness and collapsed into a pool of blood.

…

When she woke up again, she was lying in a hospital bed. The harsh white lights above made her eyes sting.

Evan sat beside her. His face was pale, but his eyes were filled with overwhelming relief. "Josie, you're finally awake. You scared the hell out of me."

When Joselyn parted her lips, her voice came out hoarse and weak. "Are you hurt?"

Evan ruffled her hair and replied casually, "It's nothing serious. Just a broken bone. I should've protected you better." After saying that, he got up. "Stay put. I'll get the doctor."

The moment he stepped out, her phone buzzed.

She glanced at the screen and saw a video from Megan.

The footage showed the very scene from the cafe not long ago. Inside, Evan's friends were talking animatedly.

"Ms. Barr, how many times do we have to tell you? Evan's whole relationship with Joselyn was planned from the start. He's just pretending to love her to mess with her brother.

"Now that your families have agreed on a marriage alliance, obviously, he'll be marrying you. When has Evan ever backed out of a deal in business? Please don't ruin his plan."

Megan turned to Evan and asked in a shaky voice, "Is it true, Evan? You really don't like Joselyn? Is it all just revenge?"

One of the guys quickly chimed in, saying, "Of course! Do you think Evan would actually fall for the sister of his sworn rival? That's not his style at all. If he actually falls for her, it won't be Evan humiliating Jarrett. It'll be Jarrett crushing Evan under his boot. Damn, I can't even begin to imagine that scene."

"I just want to hear from Evan!" Megan's eyes were red as she stared at Evan. "Tell me, Evan."

Evan's expression was complicated as he kept his gaze fixed on his car, where Joselyn sat.

After a long pause, he finally gave a nod.

Megan collapsed into his arms, sobbing. "I still feel so insecure. We're about to get married, yet you're still putting on a show with another woman. How about this?

"When you're driving later, fake a brake failure. Turn the wheel toward the passenger side and make sure Joselyn gets into an accident. Do that, and I'll believe you. Okay?"

Evan was quiet for a long time. Then, in a low voice, he replied, "Okay."

The video was cut off there.

Chapter 5

Joselyn's fingers trembled. Her phone slipped from her grasp, hitting the floor with a sharp crack.

So even the car accident had been part of his plan.

She closed her eyes as a storm of emotions swirled in her chest—sorrow, despair, and a deep sense of injustice. The weight of it all pressed down on her, leaving her breathless.

She didn't understand. What would it take for Evan to finally let her go?

Joselyn remembered—when the crash had happened, he'd indeed turned the wheel toward the passenger side. But at the very last second, just before the impact, he'd turned and shielded her with his own body.

She couldn't understand what Evan was thinking.

If he'd wanted to hurt her, he could've just let it happen. The worse her injuries, the better for him. So why had he protected her? Why had he taken the hit himself, breaking a rib in the process?

A thought crept into her mind—something she didn't want to acknowledge.

She could only hope that, just as Evan claimed, he felt nothing for her and had only dated her for revenge. Because if he had the slightest bit of feelings for her, he would be in unbearable pain.

The next few days, Evan barely left her side.

Despite his own injury and the doctor's orders to rest, he stayed by her hospital bed, fussing over her. One moment he was feeding her soup, the next tucking her under her blankets, then peeling fruit and telling her stories.

To anyone watching, it would seem like he was madly in love with her. But Joselyn knew better. None of it was real.

His tenderness and concern had all been nothing more than a carefully crafted lie.

When she was discharged, Evan noticed that her mood was off. To cheer her up, he took her to a newly opened club owned by one of his friends.

The private room was dimly lit, pulsing with deafening music.

Evan was as attentive as ever, and his friends gathered around Joselyn, showering her with concern. But Joselyn felt uneasy, like something was about to happen.

Just then, the door swung open, and Megan stepped inside.

The expressions on everyone's faces darkened instantly.

Evan looked ready to explode. But before he could say anything, a few of his friends pulled Megan aside and hissed, "Didn't we already go over this? Evan did what you wanted. He made sure Joselyn got hurt in the crash. What the hell are you here for now?"

Smiling, Megan replied, "Relax. I'm not here to cause trouble. I came to help. After all, Evan and I are getting married soon. If he has a target, I might as well help take them down."

She leaned in and whispered something to Evan's friends. Whatever she said made their eyes light up with interest, smirks curling at the corners of their lips.

Joselyn strained to hear, but the music was too loud. She caught nothing.

After speaking, Megan walked toward Joselyn with a fake smile plastered on her face. "Ms. Wright, I'm sorry for the other day. Evan has already reprimanded me. He never actually agreed to the marriage alliance. He loves you too much to marry another woman."

Joselyn's brows knit together. Every instinct in her screamed that something wasn't right.

She had no idea why the once overbearing Megan had suddenly backed down or why she was saying all of this, but her instincts told her there was more to it than met the eye.

Evan's expression twisted with unease as he glanced between Megan and Joselyn.

Instead of her usual hostility, Megan suddenly pulled a set of keys from her bag and handed them to Joselyn. "Ms. Wright, I just bought a villa in the city center. Please take this as a token of my apology for what happened the other day."

Joselyn didn't take it. Her voice was cold as she said, "No need. I'm not staying in Airedale."

The moment Evan heard those words, his expression darkened.

He grabbed Joselyn's hand at once. The man who was always in control now had a trace of unease in his voice as he asked, "What do you mean by that, Josie? I live here. You're going to marry me. Where else would you go?"

Joselyn met his gaze with a calm expression.

Of course, she was going to return to Willesden, marry the one she was supposed to marry, and stay by the side of those she was meant to be with.