Summer’s POV

The morning sun felt like a mockery as I stepped out of the taxi in front of my apartment building. God, what a night. My head still throbbed from whatever those creeps had slipped into my drink, and Brandon Stark’s bizarre marriage proposal kept replaying in my mind like a fever dream.

I stared up at the gleaming glass tower that had been my home for the past year. Alexander had helped me choose this place when I’d finally had enough of my parents’ manipulation. “This will be our fresh start,” he’d promised. “Just you and me.” Now those words tasted like ash in my mouth.

The doorman gave me a sympathetic nod as I walked past. Great. Even the staff knows about the scandal. I jabbed the elevator button harder than necessary, willing the doors to close before anyone else could—

“Hold the elevator!”

You’ve got to be kidding me. Victoria’s perfectly manicured hand shot between the closing doors, forcing them back open. She stepped in with her usual grace, Alexander trailing behind her like a well-trained puppy. The space suddenly felt suffocating.

“Summer, you’re finally back?” Victoria’s voice dripped with false concern. “We’ve been so worried.”

I watched her reflection in the elevator’s polished doors – perfect makeup, designer outfit, not a hair out of place. Even for this early morning ambush, she had to look perfect. My own reflection looked pale and drawn in comparison.

I kept my eyes fixed on the elevator numbers, climbing far too slowly. Deep breaths. Don’t let them see you crack. Don’t give them the satisfaction.

“You went missing after the party,” Alexander added, his tone carrying that familiar note of disapproval that I’d somehow never noticed before. “Do you know how worried we’ve been?”

A bitter laugh escaped before I could stop it. “Worried? Since when do you care about my whereabouts, Alexander?”

The elevator dinged, and I practically bolted out. But Alexander’s hand caught my arm, spinning me around to face them.

“Look, we get that you’re upset,” Victoria said, all honey-sweet poison. She reached for my hand, and I had to fight the urge to recoil. “But what Alexander and I have… it’s the real deal. While you were gone this past year, he was going through so much, and I was just there for him…”

“Wow. Supporting him. How thoughtful of you.” The words burned my throat. “You knew he was my fiancé, but you just had to be there for him, right? What’s your actual game here?”

I shoved past her, probably harder than necessary. She stumbled back with an exaggerated gasp.

“Jesus, Summer!” Alexander’s face twisted with anger. “You’re being ridiculous! Yeah, we hurt you, but it’s done. We’re engaged now. Just deal with it.”

“Deal with it?” My voice cracked with disbelief. “Oh, I’m dealing with it. By telling you both to stay the hell away from me!”

Victoria’s eyes filled with perfectly-timed tears. “Summer, please… we never meant to hurt you. We just… fell in love.”

There it was. The real reason for this little ambush. “So that’s what this is about? You need Grandpa’s blessing for your perfect wedding?”