Chapter 2 When I came to in the hospital , Miles stared at the bandage on my head , guilt all over his face . " Nina , I'm sorry . We've got joint events with Lila coming up , and we have to show up together . Her face couldn't get hurt , so I shielded her . " " You can hit me or yell at me and I'll take the blame - just don't shut me out , okay ? " I lowered my eyes and said nothing . Every feeling I had blew away the second I watched him choose Lila over me . It felt like there was a hole in my chest , winter wind roaring through . He kept saying he was sorry , and then something seemed to occur to him . His eyes lit up . " Nina , your birthday's in a few days . Let me give you your present early , okay ? Tell me what you want . I'll buy it , no matter the cost . " I finally looked at him . " Then buy me a plane ticket - three days from now , to Northcrest . " " What for ? " He blinked . " You want to travel ? " I nodded and gave him a quiet " Mm . " He didn't press . He pulled out his phone on the spot and bought a ticket to Northcrest right in front of me . Afterward he added , " I'm tied up for a bit and can't go with you . Head to Northcrest first and enjoy yourself . When I'm free , I'll go with you , " " Just a plane ticket is too small for a birthday gift . I'll make it up to you with a big surprise . " " It's not small . " I shook my head and smiled lightly . " Not small at all . " After all , that ticket was my way home . On the day I left , I was up early . Seven hours before takeoff , I was hauling suitcases to the door when I ran into Miles coming back . He froze at the pile by the entry , panic flashing across his face as he hurried to block me . " What's going on ? " I kept my expression easy . " Didn't I say I was going to Northcrest to have some fun ? " He didn't buy it . " For a day or two ? That place has everything . Why do you need this much stuff ? " I smiled . " I'm a girl . I want options - more outfits , more photos . " His brow stayed furrowed . His eyes kept darting between me and the luggage . " Nope . That's too much to haul . When you land , buy whatever you need and I'll cover it . ' He insisted on holding my bags back , like keeping them here could guarantee I'd come back too . While we were at a standoff , his phone started ringing , loud and urgent . " Lila Summers , " the screen declared in bold . Miles stepped aside to answer . I don't know what she said , but his face went grave , and in the end he rushed out first . On his way out he repeated , " Nina , don't stay too long . And don't bring that much . Text me your return flight , and I'll pick you up . " I didn't answer . I already knew I wasn't coming back . This was goodbye for good . Five hours before takeoff , I changed the code on the front door - from my birthday to Lila's . Then I stuck a note to the door : Chapter 2 The Lunn's VHETW D Dreame - Read Romance Stories Dreame Read Best Romance Read and Earn Free Rewards Now ! 4.4 FREE Installed Open 22.22 % [ Since this will be Miss Summers's house from now on , the code might as well be set to Miss Summers's birthday . ] Three hours before takeoff , I pulled every photo of me and Miles from the house and fed them , one by one , into the fire pit . He kissed me under fireworks , swearing I was his , over and over . He dropped to one knee in the glow of a sunset and promised me forever . He took the hit for me in that crash and broke three ribs . He tracked every one of my cycles , and his Instagram feed was all me . We walked through spring , summer , fall , and winter together . We watched the sun rise and set . Now the memories burned down to ash , and we were finished . Two hours before takeoff , my phone buzzed . Lila had sent me a video . In it , Miles and Lila were surrounded by friends , the crowd jeering and chanting . " Kiss ! Kiss ! Kiss ! " " C'mon , Miles , you're getting married - what's there to be shy about ? Don't make the Summers heiress be the one to make the first move ! " Amid the teasing , Lila flushed and closed her eyes , leaning toward him . Their faces drew closer , the screams around them rising . Miles stared at her , throat working . Then he cupped the back of her head and kissed her hard . The camera was close enough to catch their mouths and tongues intertwined and the way he reacted when he got carried away . I bit down on my lip so hard it hurt and forced the tears back . I watched it again . And again . On the seventh replay , Lila's texts came in . Lila Summers : [ See that , Nina Rowan ? I'm the one the entire Grant family recognizes as a daughter - in - law . Your family's broke . How could they ever accept you ? With a background like yours , you're better off marrying a bum . ] Lila Summers : [ So what if he loves you ? His defenses are crumbling . First he met my parents , then my girlfriends , then we moved in together . He just kissed me , too . Tell me how long until we're in bed ? ] T I didn't answer . I quietly printed out every taunt she'd sent me over the past few days , page after page , stacked them neat as a dossier , and left the pile in the empty living room . One hour before takeoff , I wrote one last line across the top sheet . [ Miles Grant , congrats on the wedding . We're done . ] Then I dragged my suitcase out of the gated community , hailed a cab , and sped toward the airport . Miles Grant , from this day on , I'll be who I was born to be - the Northern Commander's daughter . You and I are finished . Chapter 2 The Lunn's 4375 D Dreame - Read Romance Stories