Page 40 of When Hearts Surrender

The moment I kept from him, even to this day.

Sydney died a week later.

My love is poisonous. It’s a death sentence. I killed Sydney by loving her. I’m a murderer.

I look at my twin, my best friend, and reply, “I’m happy because you all are happy.”

I’ve learned my lesson.

After all, I’m flawed and cursed. I don’t deserve to be loved.

Chapter 15

“Come on, Silas.” Itug the leash, and the adorable husky cocks his head at me, his tongue sticking out before continuing on his merry way.

I wipe the sweat off my forehead as I stroll down the streets of SoHo with my friends and dog in tow. The sweltering heat mid-June almost feels like I’m held captive inside a sauna, unable to breathe, to think, to do anything other than to bear with the circumstances.

Like the joke that’s my life these days.

Silas wags his tail and chases the shadows twisting under the glaring sunlight. He has been a bright spot in my life ever since I stole him from the shelter. Luckily, Taylor and I weren’t caught, and no one asked about the little guy after he disappeared.

For the past two and a half months, I’ve called him many names, from Little Terror to Ranger to Scout, but nothing has stuck. He has never responded to any of them, usually opting to destroy another cushion or chew on the wallpaper of the SoHo apartment I share with Millie.

But the other day, after returning home from that infuriating meeting with Maxwell at The Menagerie, I stomped into the apartment and muttered, “Damn you, Silas! What was I thinking, liking you for even a moment?”

The little terror sat obediently in front of me, his posture picture perfect, like he was modeling for a husky calendar.

He liked the name.

Good. I’ll name my one-eyed husky after the fraud who almost stole my heart. And then I’ll make him go fetch…and fetch again.

“I can’t believe you kept this from us for months!” Taylor scrunches her nose, her skull nose ring glimmering under the harsh sun. She’s not in a good mood—her nose piercings are like mood rings for her.

Grace nods beside her, her eyes narrowing at me. She may have said the same thing multiple times this week in our group chat.

“And we had to find out…by accident, at my graduation dinner, no less. Were youeverplanning to tell us?” Millie walks in front of me and turns around. Her hands are on her waist and she looks pissed—rightfully so.

I sigh and draw the group into the shade offered by the awning of the stucco building next to us. We’re shopping for my wedding in a little over three months. As expected, with the Anderson wealth, most of the wedding planning is done, with vendors begging to be part of our celebrations, some even offering their services for free.

Today, in particular, we’re shopping for jewelry and picking up something His Majesty has ordered me to retrieve, based on his terse email I received yesterday.

Belle,

I saw this online and thought of you. A gift to seal our contract. Go to this address to pick it up. Don’t think too much of it. It meansnothing.

Maxwell

I growl under my breath—the infuriating, perplexing man who gives me whiplash.

I can’t believe I’m getting married…to a man who has refused to see me since that disastrous meeting at The Menagerie, when he bulldozedover me, making all the decisions unilaterally like a misogynistic caveman.

Just like my parents, my horrible boss, and other authority figures in my life.

The thought has me knotting my hands onto the hem of my dress.

He’s the complete antithesis of the charming and mysterious Silas from the race.

“Well? What’s your excuse?” Taylor prods.

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