Chapter Two
1480 Words
Although Deidre had known deep in her heart that she would never be chosen, the grief still lingered—a quiet reminder that she had once loved him deeply.
Carefully, she placed every belonging Niles had ever given her into a small wooden box.
Seeing it all gathered together so neatly—so pitifully little—made something inside her ache. Years together, and this was all that remained. A handful of trinkets small enough to fit beneath her arms.
How little effort he had truly given her from the very beginning.
Meanwhile, Caitlyn was showered in diamonds and silk gowns. Niles paraded her through auction houses and galas, his hand proudly wrapped around her waist for the paparazzi to capture. Caitlyn was treasured openly, extravagantly.
Deidre, on the other hand, had simply been convenient.
Steadfast. Reliable. Always waiting for him.
Once, she had cherished the items in the box.
Now she saw them for what they truly were.
A handkerchief he had lent her on a rainy afternoon.
A dried flower crown he had woven absentmindedly one spring morning, laughing as he placed it upon her head and told her she looked like a fairy.
She could still remember the sparkle in his eyes then—bright with the careless wonder of youth.
Her fingers trembled as they brushed the final object resting at the bottom of the box.
A silver locket bearing the crest of the Jenson family.
She remembered the day he had given it to her so vividly.
“This locket shall belong only to the future lady of the Jenson family,” he had whispered softly. “And Deidre, that will only ever be you.”
Back then, those words had made her heart soar.
Now they left behind nothing but hollow disappointment.
An emptiness no apology could ever mend.
Slowly, she picked up the locket and slipped it into an envelope before ringing for a maid.
When Miss Vane entered, Deidre handed her the envelope along with the box.
“After tomorrow’s Selection Ball,” she said quietly, “please deliver these to the Jenson estate.”
The older woman blinked in surprise before her face softened warmly. Miss Vane had helped raise Deidre since childhood. She knew better than anyone how deeply Deidre had loved Niles.
“Oh, my dear.” She smiled as she tucked the envelope safely into her apron. Then she pulled Deidre into a gentle embrace, patting her back affectionately. “I would be delighted to deliver an early wedding gift.”
Deidre’s throat tightened.
“Congratulations to you and Mr. Jenson,” Miss Vane continued warmly. “I’ll pray for a long and happy marriage—and many beautiful children.”
Deidre couldn’t bring herself to correct her.
At dinner that evening, her parents spoke of the engagement as though it had already been decided.
“When Niles officially joins the family, we must bring him into the company,” her mother, Nadia, said happily as she peeled a shrimp and placed it onto Deidre’s plate.
Deidre stared at the food without appetite.
“Mother…” she began softly. “What if Niles does not become my betrothed?”
The sharp clink of porcelain echoed through the dining room as her father abruptly set down his cup.
“Deidre, don’t be absurd,” he said with an awkward cough. His gaze lowered to the elaborate silver dinnerware before them, unable to meet her eyes. “You and Niles have been inseparable since infancy. If not him, then who?”
He forced a small laugh.
“Our families are perfectly matched. We’ve shared ties for generations. Surely you’re joking.”
Deidre said nothing after that.
She simply ate in silence while thoughts churned endlessly within her mind.
Tomorrow would decide everything.
It would either become the beginning of her freedom—
or the most heartbreaking day of her life.
After dinner, she returned slowly to her bedroom and slipped beneath the familiar quilt her grandmother had sewn for her when she was a child.
The fabric still smelled faintly of lavender.
Curling into herself, Deidre pressed her face into the blanket and wept quietly into the darkness of the night.
******
Niles stood before the mirror, fastening his silver cufflinks with practiced precision.
The custom-tailored suit fit him flawlessly, molding to his broad shoulders and lean, muscular frame as though it had been crafted directly onto his body.
Every detail about him radiated wealth, power, and pedigree—the unmistakable heir of the Jenson family. His dark hair was slicked neatly back, emphasizing sharp blue eyes that could make any unclaimed woman weak at the knees.
Pinned to his lapel was a red carnation.
A silent declaration of the bride he had chosen.
He allowed himself a moment of admiration before turning toward the man lounging nearby.
Trenton Skyte grinned lazily. “Not bad, Niles. You actually clean up pretty well.” He stepped closer and clapped a hand onto his friend’s shoulder. “So… after our talk last night, I’m guessing you’ve finally made your decision.”
His gaze flicked meaningfully toward the carnation.
“Don’t you think this is a little cruel to Deidre?” he asked. “What exactly are you planning to tell her after you reject her?”
The question made Niles go still. A faint flicker of guilt crossed his face before it vanished beneath cold composure.
“I’ll take care of Deidre for the next five years,” he said evenly. “Caitlyn already knows about her. We discussed it last night, and she agreed to let the relationship continue.”
Trenton arched a brow. “Seriously?”
“She only asked for two conditions,” Niles continued. “Discretion… and that Deidre never appears before her.”
A laugh escaped Trenton as he lightly punched Niles in the arm.
“You sly bastard,” he teased. “So that’s what happened last night?”
Everyone in the villa knew what he meant.
Niles and Caitlyn had shared a bed for the first time the previous evening—a private promise before the vows to come.
For a brief moment, something troubled passed through Niles’s expression.
“Deidre was never suited for our world,” he admitted quietly. “Not mine. Not Caitlyn’s. She’s too soft for it.” He loosened a breath. “It’s better if she stays protected, away from the spotlight. Quietly raising the children would make her happier anyway.”
His voice softened slightly.
“She loves me enough to accept that. The least I can do is give her security.”
Trenton nodded as though the explanation made perfect sense.
“Deidre’s always been obsessed with you,” he said. “Honestly, she’d probably be satisfied with scraps as long as she got your attention. She even abandoned her PhD in Computer Science just to follow you into your company.”
Niles gave a distracted hum of agreement and turned back toward the mirror.
Yet an uncomfortable heaviness settled in his chest.
A strange feeling that something was slipping beyond his control.
He ignored it.
Instead, he focused on thoughts of Caitlyn—her elegant red dress, the carnation she loved so much, the way she would look walking beside him tonight.
A smile touched his lips before suddenly faltering.
Without warning, he realized he couldn’t remember Deidre’s favorite flower.
Or even her favorite color.
The realization struck harder than he expected. It made him aware of just how thoroughly he had neglected her over the years.
Still, he quickly pushed the thought aside.
No matter, he told himself. We’ll have time to grow close again.
Satisfied with his appearance, Niles straightened his jacket and strode from the room, ready to collect the woman he intended to make his bride.
*******
Deidre chose emerald green for her gown—the color of her family crest.
The fitted mermaid silhouette hugged every curve gracefully, accentuating her narrow waist and soft hips. Against the rich green fabric, her amber eyes seemed almost golden beneath the warm glow of the vanity lights.
“Madam… you look breathtaking,” the maid whispered from behind her.
The sincerity in the woman’s voice made Deidre pause.
She lifted her gaze toward the mirror once more.
Perfect makeup.
Elegant hair.
A beautiful woman staring back at her with heartbreak hidden in her eyes.
In her hand rested a green chrysanthemum.
Traditionally, couples attending the ball chose matching flowers to symbolize their union. But Niles hadn’t sent her a single message. Not even a greeting.
So she chose her own.
The chrysanthemum symbolized rebirth, renewal, and good fortune.
Tonight, she desperately hoped those meanings were real.
“Thank you,” Deidre said softly.
She picked up the invitation resting on the vanity and traced her fingers over the embossed gold lettering.
Everything depended on tonight.
- Writer
