Marnie had pushed her to go. — “He’s Arthur Sterling, Ellie! He’s a billionaire. Half the city is afraid of him, and the other half wants to be him. Just go. If he’s a creep, you leave.”
Ellie went. Arthur was charming, sophisticated, and treated her like a princess. He gave her two thousand dollars before the first date was even over. — “Buy something beautiful for our next dinner,” he’d said. At the time, she thought it was generous. Years later, she realized it was the first payment on a purchase. He didn’t want a wife; he wanted a trophy he could control.
A sharp ring at the doorbell snapped Ellie out of her memories. Only one person rang the bell like that.
— “Marnie!” Ellie laughed as she opened the door. “You’re early.”
— “Max’s driver dropped me off,” Marnie said, kicking off her heels and heading for the living room. She looked like she hadn’t slept—smeared eyeliner and a cocktail dress from the night before. “So, give me the gossip. How’s life in the mansion?”
Ellie kept the conversation light, carefully hiding the bruise under her makeup. She didn’t want to worry Marnie. “Everything’s fine. Same old Arthur.”
— “Well, you’ll never guess who’s in town,” Marnie said with a mischievous grin. “Caleb.”
Ellie felt her heart skip a beat. Caleb was Marnie’s older brother. He had been Ellie’s first real crush back in high school. He was four years older, a star athlete with a kind smile who had always treated Ellie like a little sister, even though she had spent years pining for him.
He had left for the West Coast after graduation, and Ellie hadn’t seen him since. The news hit her like a physical blow. She was a married woman now, a “Sterling,” but the mere mention of his name made her feel like that awkward sixteen-year-old again.
— “He’s staying for a week,” Marnie continued. “He’s staying at that condo downtown. We’re having drinks tonight at nine. You have to come, Ellie. For old time’s sake.”
Ellie nodded, her mind racing. “I’ll try to make it.”
— “Don’t ‘try,’ just be there. Caleb keeps asking about you. He saw your wedding photos in the papers and couldn’t believe it.”
