Chapter 2 The Rolls - Royce cut through traffic as Hayes glanced at Raina riding shotgun , then leaned into Lennox's ear . " Babe , since when do you want her tagging along ? " Lennox watched that familiar crease appear between his brows , the way his jaw tightened whenever Raina came up - like she was nothing but a nuisance to him . What a performance . So damn good he'd had her completely fooled for three years . Right up until she saw that toddler on the street and realized their entire relationship was built on lies . Lennox's voice came out flat : " You're always complaining about how clingy she is , right ? Maybe seeing you marry me will finally make her back off . " Something unreadable flashed across Hayes's face . His lips parted as if to say something , but he just swallowed hard and let her explanation stand . At the bridal boutique, Hayes escorted Lennox inside with Raina trailing behind them . The dress had been waiting for months - champagne silk and hand - sewn crystals that caught the light like captured stars . The stylist had barely lifted it from the garment bag when Raina pushed forward , her fingers already reaching for the delicate beadwork . " It's so beautiful , " she breathed , drinking in every detail . After a long moment , she turned to Lennox : " Could I … try it on ? Just once ? " Lennox took in that perfectly crafted innocent act and felt ice settle in her chest . She could give up the engagement , but her things ? Hell no . Her red lips curved into a cutting smile : " What's next - you gorina sleep in my bed too ? Or is following in mommy's homewrecking footsteps enough for one day ? " The color drained from Raina's face . She turned those wounded doe eyes toward Hayes , silently begging for rescue . Hayes went rigid . He stepped between them , his hand finding Lennox's elbow . " Len , come on . People are staring . Let's just get you fitted , yeah ? " The gesture looked like peacekeeping , but it put Raina squarely under his protection . Lennox stared at his tense posture and smiled coldly , taking the dress and disappearing into the fitting room . Standing before the mirror in the gown , Lennox felt momentarily displaced . Her reflection was luminous - bright eyes , flawless skin like porcelain against the ivory silk . The last time she'd stood here , her heart had been full of dreams for the future . Now she just felt empty . " Oh ! " Raina's startled cry came from outside . Lennox cracked the curtain just enough to peek through . Raina had " tripped " over her own feet , tumbling straight into Hayes's arms . And Hayes ? He didn't even try to step back . Just caught her like he'd been expecting it , one hand splayed across her lower back while the other smoothed her hair . 15:15 A Billion Dollar Cordl Chapter 2 Even knowing what she knew , seeing it hit like a sucker punch to the gut . She remembered when Hayes used to act like Raina had the plague - literally burning clothes if she so much as brushed against him . But now ? Now he was tenderly comforting the woman in his arms . They looked more like the engaged couple than Lennox did , hidden away in her fitting room . Her grip on the curtain tightened until her knuckles went white , something sharp and brutal squeezing her chest . She took a deep breath and started to push through the curtain when the world suddenly tilted sideways , everything swaying violently . Earthquake ! Pure instinct kicked in . She grabbed fistfuls of silk and bolted for the exit . But the train wrapped around her ankles like a trap . She went down hard , fabric tearing , skin scraping against marble . Glass and plaster rained down , each impact sending fresh shockwaves through her already battered body . Hayes was right there . Maybe fifteen feet away . He looked straight through her , swept Raina off her feet , and ran . Their voices drifted back as they fled : " Hayes , wait - what about Lennox ? " " She's fine . You're hurt - I need to get you checked out … " Those words hit like a physical blow , stealing the air from her lungs . When the shaking finally stopped , the boutique looked like a war zone . Just like her heart . Lennox stripped off the ruined gown and grabbed a pair of scissors , cutting it to shreds with methodical precision . On her way out , she fixed the shell - shocked staff with a cold stare : " Don't tell Hayes . " Raina could have her wedding . But anything that had been Lennox's ? She'd burn it all before handing it over to those two . From the boutique , Lennox went straight to Immigration Services and filed for expedited processing . The clerk glanced at the blood on her arm and nodded : " We can have everything ready within the month . " Standing outside , Lennox breathed in the gray afternoon air . One month , and she'd be free of this city forever . Free to finally live for herself . ( 0 ) ( 0 ) こざ Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!