“I am no one’s substitute! I am my own person!” “You should be happy to be Grace’s substitute. But don’t flatter yourself. If I wasn’t drunk, I’d never mistake you for her,” Will sneered. That was a lie. He called her Grace the night they met. And he wasn’t drunk then. Emma regretted her earlier decision. Why did she come to check on him at all? He was a despicable, callous, self-centered jackass. Why did she care for him at all? “There isn’t any comparison between the two of you anyway. You could never be her.” “You really don’t get. Not at all,” Emma said with a sad smile. Will raised his eyebrows in confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?” “The difference between us. I would never laugh at someone who was in pain. I would never ridicule or belittle someone who was hurting just to mask my own hurt.” A resolute calm washed over Emma. Her epiphany set things into perspective. “What—” “I pity you, Will. I really do.” He was shocked by Emma’s audacity. “You pity me? I

Emma became more upset. Tears stung her eyes but she refused to cry. She would not give these people the satisfaction. She did her best to hold back and took a few breaths. As she opened her mouth to speak, Grace stepped forward.​ “Lucy, stop that. That isn’t nice of you at all,” she admonished. “Please forgive my friend. She didn’t mean it. She was just puzzled that’s all. People tend to get confused when a polished stone is trying to be presented as a diamond,” her tone was sweet, but Emma had been around enough people to know that Grace was being vicious. It was clear Grace thought that Will was way out of Emma’s league, and it was bothering her to see them together. Which was surprising. Grace is the one who left Will, so why would she act jealous?​ “I can understand that. It can also be confusing when diamonds try to compete with stones. You know? Like why would they try that?” Emma retorted.​ “Oh wow,” Grace forced a laugh. “Will, your date is so funny. I must say it

Emma looked him up and down, wondering how this stranger was. He was about as tall as Will, but leaner. He had shoulder length dark hair that was tied in a low ponytail, and bright hazel eyes. She’d gotten so used to seeing men dressed in sharp suits, that she found it refreshing to see someone in normal clothes. *He’s cute,* Emma thought.​ “Yes, I am. How do you know me?”​ “I saw your design work on the competition site. I loved it and wanted to meet who the talent behind it was.”​ “Oh, wow. Thank you,” Emma blushed.​ “Sorry, for not properly introducing myself, my name is Spencer.” ​ Emma’s brain stopped working. ​ “Spencer? Spencer Lucas?”​ “Guilty,” he smiled. She almost dropped her blueprints in shock. The brilliant designer she was admiring had just told her that he liked her work. It was the greatest day of life. “May I escort you inside?”​ “Yes!” Emma shouted in her excitement. “I’m sorry, that was loud. I never thought I would meet you, let alo

“I’m sorry. I’m going to do what next month?” Emma’s mouth fell open.​ “We’re getting married,” he said. His tone was so even, and collected that Emma was frightened by it. “I won’t say it again.”​ “You’re serious,” she breathed and led herself to a chair. Her legs went dead from shock.​ “I am.”​ “Why?”​ Will was indifferent to her shock.​ “You don’t need to know why. You need to make a choice. Do this, and I’ll end our former agreement. Right away.”​ “What?” Emma leaned forward, her eyes like saucers. “I won’t be your ‘pet’? Your ‘thing’ anymore?”​ “That stops the second you agree. And I will also do you one favor. Anything you want. That’s outside of caring for your father. I already promised I would do that. This is a marriage of convenience. I’ll pay you the previously agreed upon amount after twelve months.”​ “A year? This is a lot to process.”​ “You have an hour to decide,” Will was impatient. He stood and began to walk out of the room. “

The university was hosting an end of the year dance for the graduating class. It was a huge event, and the students were buzzing about the festive occasion. With everything going on in her life, Emma had forgotten about it. When she stopped by her dorm, the invitation was stuffed under her door. For a moment she contemplated skipping it all together. But she promised herself that she would do her best to celebrate her successes, and enjoy her life despite everything that had gone wrong.​ “I have to go,” Emma said to herself. She thought of all the dresses Will got for her at Jason’s boutique. She had to put them to some sort of use, didn’t she? But who would even go with her? Will was her “fiancé,” but their relationship wasn’t one where he would take her to an event like that. She may be Cinderella, but he wasn’t the prince that was waiting for her at the royal ball. Either way, she was positive he’d say no. ​ She got home that night, prepared to ask him prepared to be turned