I clamped a hand over Vivian's mouth before she could confront the cheating couple. Dragging her outside, where our friends were celebrating, I met her hissed accusation.

"I'll tear them apart!" she spat. "How could they do this to you?"

My voice was soft as I replied, "No, we don't need to stoop to their level. I don't want to become the town's gossip."

Taking her hand, I continued, "Get your phone and record the conversation. We'll use it as proof."

Vivian, with a curt nod, retrieved her phone. We crept back to the hallway together and pressed our ears against the bathroom door.

Arthur's laughter carried through the thin barrier. "She's the Sullivan heiress, you know. Her mother passed away when she was just seven. Now her father's failing health... it won't be long before he follows."

Nina's response was a soft chuckle intertwined with a seductive moan. "So, if you marry her, you get half the estate?"

Arthur's reply sent a shiver down my spine. "Indeed. And if, by some unfortunate accident, boom... everything will fall into my hands..." He trailed off, the implication hanging heavy in the air. "You, Nina, would be my new queen."

A gasp escaped my lips, my hand flying up to cover my mouth. Vivian's eyes narrowed, a storm brewing within them. Before she could barge in, I grabbed her arm and ushered her away to the secluded back garden.

"Oh, screw me! How did I end up falling for such a bad guy?!"

"No, you were not in love with him," Vivian groaned. "It's not true. You first fell in love with the idea of being saved by him when you were seven years old. Nothing but garbage; you fooled yourself into thinking it was love!"

I couldn’t help but cry in front of my best friend, my shoulders were shaking in anger and despair. I was shaking my head while trying not to accept what just happened but Vivian embraced me with a warm embrace, “It’s okay…”

“No, it’s not, I can’t let this go…”

And she replied, “Of course. We need to make him pay…”

I wiped away my tears. She cupped my face, saying, "You shouldn't cry for that man! There are a lot of men in this world who are worth your time and beauty. So, do you want me to call my brother to have that stupid man beaten up?"

I shook my head, "No, not Jackson. He's mad at me—"

"Don't worry, he'll be happy to beat Arthur up if he finds out the truth." Vivian reassured me.