I Dumped My Ex and Married His Uncle

The wealthy heir laughed along with the rest. “Dayana really is stunning, isn’t she? She’s got the looks and the charm to be a perfect trophy wife.”

He tossed a card onto the table and needled Carter. “Still not engaged? You’re really fine with her marrying someone else? You can fool us, but don’t fool yourself, Carter.”

Carter’s expression didn’t so much as flicker. “She’s damaged goods. You still like her?”

The group leaned in, curious. A flash of irritation crossed Carter’s face before he went on. “If you’re that into her, she’s all yours.”

The rich heir hesitated. “Everybody knows Dayana only has eyes for you. She’s been by your side for years. I doubt I’d get that lucky.”

Outside the room, Dayana froze, tears welling up before she could stop them.

Her feelings for Carter were an open secret in their circle.

Did he really think so little of her feelings—treating her like something he could toss aside?

A dizzying wave of betrayal hit her, stealing her breath.

Her mind dragged her back to when she was fourteen.

Her father had brought her from a tiny village to the bustling city and enrolled her in the best private school, with strict instructions to look after her sister and be sensible.

Nora Porter never acted like a sister. If anything, she led the rich kids in freezing her out.

At the age when she needed family and friends most, she was locked in a bathroom and drenched with ice-cold water.

Wind and snow raged outside while she shivered, her voice scraped raw from screaming.

It was Carter Munoz who kicked the bathroom door open.

Dayana had never forgotten that scene.

Carter stood with one foot on the steps, snowflakes swirling around him. His coat hung open and flapped in the wind, wet hair falling across his forehead, everything about him crackling with youthful energy.

“Here,” he said, and tossed her his scarf.

From that moment on, seventeen-year-old Carter Munoz became the first ray of hope in her life.

For seven long years, she followed Carter like a shadow.

But now that light had moved on to someone else. Completely. Unreachably. No longer hers.

Dayana swallowed the bitterness and made up her mind to leave…

She moved to the window, fished out a number she hadn’t dialed in years, and called it.

The phone rang twice before a voice came from behind her.

“Dayana? Three years went by that fast? You’re already out?”

Her throat tightened. She hung up and turned to see who it was.

Sheila Stone stepped closer, surprise written all over her face. “When did you get out?”

Dayana’s hard-won smile faded.

Unbelievable.

Sheila remembered Nora’s birthday but forgot the day her own daughter got out.

“You’ve gotten so thin. What happened?” Sheila frowned and looked her up and down. “A little hardship can be good for you. You need to learn not to compete with your sister or stir up family trouble. Let’s not dwell on the past. Today is your birthday and your sister’s, so behave. Change into something nice and come downstairs to celebrate your sister.”

Then, as if she’d just remembered something, she added, “Oh, while you were away these three years, your room was turned into a game room. Use your sister’s room to change. I’ll have the dress sent over.”

Dayana was led to Nora’s room and was immediately hit by the heavy perfume. Her body reacted before she could stop it.

She bolted to the bathroom and started retching.

Just then, there was a sound at the door. A maid arrived with the dress.

She gripped the sink, eyes stinging, and waited for the nausea to pass. Then she splashed water on her face and stepped out.

The maid lingered in the room, watching her.

“I’m not pregnant,” Dayana said before the maid could ask. The hard retching had left her eyes red and made her look even more fragile. “Tell Nora not to make a big deal out of this.”

The maid gave an awkward little laugh. “Oh, Miss, why would you say that? Come now, put on the dress. Madam is waiting.”

Dayana said nothing. The birthday party was for Nora. She was just an accessory.

She had no interest in pretending to be close to Nora, so she headed to the kitchen to grab something to eat.

She’d barely taken a bite when someone knocked.

It was the same maid. “Madam wishes to see you, Miss. Please come downstairs!”

Dayana took her time finishing her bite before looking up. “I’m not feeling well. I’d rather not go downstairs.”

The maid paused, clearly caught off guard. Her expression darkened. “Madam said today is your birthday, and the family expects you downstairs. Your absence would look bad. She also hinted that if you can’t behave, a few more years in confinement might do you good.”