Vivienne's Pov.

The bathroom counter digs into my hips hard enough to bruise as Luca pins me against it. His hands are everywhere at once - one gripping my throat just the way I like it, the other roughly kneading my breast through the thin fabric of my dress. I can feel his wedding ring cold against my skin where he's pulled the neckline down, his thumb flicking over my nipple in that way that makes my knees weak. He takes it off and tosses it in the toilet bowl just as I gasp at his touch. He's going to be the end of me.

It started about an hour ago. I was in the bathroom, trying to finish flossing, when he walked in. All I wanted was to know when we were leaving, when we could finally get out of here. Instead, he told me to pack my things, and then suddenly we were kissing. It didn’t take much, I wasn’t wearing underwear.

"Look at me," he growls when I try to turn my head away, tightening his grip on my throat just enough to make my pulse jump. His dark eyes burn into mine as he pushes inside me in one smooth stroke, the stretch making me gasp. "That's it, Tesoro. Take me just like that.

It’s insane that I can even think straight right now. All I want is to leave with him. I’ll deal with my mother and stepfather later. I don’t care if they accept us. They have each other, and no one judges them for it. So why can’t I be with the person I want?

The mirror behind me is fogging up from our breath, but I can still see us reflected - my dress shoved up around my waist, his tailored suit pants pooled around his ankles. It's obscene. It's perfect. My fingers scramble for purchase on the cold marble sink as he sets a brutal pace, each thrust knocking a broken sound from my lips.

"Gosh, you're incredible," Luca murmurs against my ear, his teeth scraping the sensitive skin there. His hand leaves my breast to grip my backside hard, fingers digging into the soft flesh before delivering a sharp smack that makes me cry out. "Shh, baby, you want the whole house to hear you?"

I don't care if they do. Let them hear. Let them all know exactly whose I am.

His free hand slides between our bodies, calloused fingers finding that perfect spot that makes me see stars. "Come for me," he demands, his breath hot against my neck. "I want to feel you come on me like a good girl."

The pressure builds unbearably fast, my thighs trembling as he works me with ruthless precision. When his thumb circles my folds just right, I shatter with a choked sob, my nails leaving crescent marks in his forearm as I ride out the waves of pleasure.

Luca groans low in his throat as my body clenches around him, his hips stuttering. "That's it, take it all," he grits out, burying himself deep as he climaxes with my name on his lips.

For a long moment we just breathe, foreheads pressed together, his grip on my throat gentling to a caress. When he finally pulls out, I whimper at the loss, my legs nearly giving out beneath me.

He catches me easily, turning me in his arms to press a filthy, possessive kiss to my swollen lips. "I love you," he murmurs against my mouth, his hands smoothing down my dress with a tenderness that contrasts sharply with how he just took me. "Just a few more hours, Tesoro. Then you're mine forever."

The clock on the bathroom wall reads 7:15 AM. The bridesmaids will be knocking any minute, expecting me to play my part in this farce of a wedding.

But Luca's release dripping down my thighs tells a different story - one where I'm already his

He’s already told Wren. After this, he’s going to break it to my parents—and his supposed in-laws.

After he leaves, I clean up quickly, washing my hands under scalding water like I can scrub away the night before. I apply my makeup and cover the marks of his hold on my neck even though I enjoy seeing them.

My skin is still tingling from his touch when I climb the stairs to my room, but my mother's sharp voice stops me cold.

"Viv! Why aren't you in your bathrobe yet?" She stands at the end of the hallway, arms crossed.

I swallow hard. "I, um... haven't finished with my makeup."

"Please hurry. The videographer is already here." She glances around, frowning. "Do you know where Wren is?"

My pulse jumps. "I don't know. Haven't seen her."

"Okay, honey. I'll call her. Just go get ready." She walks away, heels clicking against the hardwood, and I release a shaky breath before turning toward my room.

The second I open the door, my heart nearly stops.

Wren is sitting on my bed.

"Goodness, Wren." I clutch my chest, slamming the door shut behind me. "You scared the life out of me."

She stands slowly, smoothing her bridal robe. "Oh... I'm sorry."

Her hair is already styled, pinned into an elegant updo, but her makeup isn't done yet. Her skin is prepped, flawless, an eye mask still clinging to her forehead. It's almost funny; all this effort for a wedding that's not even going to happen. Not if Luca keeps his promise. I know he will.

"Mom was looking for you," I say carefully. "The photographer—"

"You know, at first I didn't want to believe it." Her voice is eerily calm. "I thought it was a joke. That I was hallucinating."

My stomach drops. "W-what?"

"The stares. The gifts. The way he says your name in his sleep." Her hands curl into fists. "Since you walked into our lives, it's been Vivienne, Vivienne, Vivienne. I'm getting married today, and my fiancé won't even look at me. Not even at our pre-wedding shoot—the one he refused to do until youmagically showed up."

I gulp. Maybe he told her after all. He said he would. I brace myself, expecting the slap, the screaming, the same words my mother once hurled at my father's mistress—"You think he won't cheat on you too? You deserve each other. You're nothing."

But Wren just steps closer, shoving my shoulder hard enough to make me stumble back. The soreness between my legs flares, a raw reminder of last night.

"I've known Luca since I was a child, Vivienne. I've loved him that long. You wouldn't understand, you're just a kid." Her voice cracks. "Don't you have any shame? Huh?"

"I'm sorry," I whisper.

"You're barely twenty years old, fucking a grown man. Your stepbrother." She spits the word like it's poison. "You disgust me."

"I'm sorry," I say again, but it sounds weak even to me.

"I tried to be nice to you." Her voice trembles. "But I won't let a child ruin the future I've planned." She pulls out her phone, thrusting it into my hands.

My fingers shake as I stare at the screen.

It's a video.

Of me and Luca.

Last night, on the beach.

"Jane was right," Wren says quietly. "She was taking a walk, thought you were just drunk teenagers. But it was you." Her laugh is hollow. "How could I have been so stupid?"

I force myself to meet her eyes. "I'm sorry I hurt you, Wren. But I can't leave him. I love him, and—"

"You're sick," she snaps. "You're insane."

"Maybe I am," I fire back. I don't know what is wrong with me but I don't even care, I love a man I shouldn't love and I'm going to have him to myself.

Her expression hardens. "I need you off this island. Away from my wedding. Away from my husband." She snatches the phone back. "Because the second I upload this video, I'll make sure you don't come out unscathed. No college will touch you. You and your mother will crawl back to whatever hole you came from. And Luca? His business? His father's reputation? Gone."

My whole body is trembling now. This wasn't supposed to happen. Luca and I had a plan: England, the penthouse, a life together. But none of that matters if she leaks this. He could have it brought down with his vices, something I've witnessed him do with other scandals.

Still, I lift my chin. "I'm not scared of you, Wren."

"Wow." She scoffs. "Then do me a favor and watch me marry him today. While carrying his child."

The words hit me like a punch.

"W-what?"

"I'm pregnant, Viv." Her smile is vicious. "And any sane man would choose the mother of his child over his little whore." She leans in, her voice a venomous whisper. "That's all you are. A distraction. Nothing more."

No.

No, he promised. He said he'd end it. That we'd leave together. That he wouldn't hurt me.

"It's almost 9 AM, Viv." She steps back, smoothing her robe. "Face it. This marriage is happening. Your little plan failed." Her eyes gleam with triumph. "You can leave now and save yourself the shame... or stay and watch me ruin you with Luca's last name."

I can't breathe. I can't think. All I know is that she's right.

I've already lost.