Bride Wars: Battling His 18 Lovers for the Ring

I hadn't expected Julian to come back early. He was afraid I might suddenly change my mind, so he made time to return and marry me first.

Seeing how rushed he was, I couldn't help but find it funny. "I already promised you. There's no way I'd go back on it. Look at you, all nervous. What? Are you afraid I'll run off?"

He pulled me into a tight embrace, like he wanted to merge me into himself. "I'm scared this is all just a beautiful dream, and when I wake up, you won't be here anymore. You'll still be marrying someone else. I wouldn't be able to take that."

I laughed and called Julian an idiot.

He couldn't wait even a second. He grabbed my hand and hauled me straight to get married. It wasn't until we walked out of city hall that he finally let himself breathe.

Right then, my phone buzzed with a text from Percy.

"Alright. I forgive you. Come back soon. The house feels strange without you."

I didn't text him back.

…

The day after we got married, Julian had to leave again because of work overseas.

Before he left, he pressed a set of keys into my hand. It was for a villa in the suburbs, and he said it was the home he'd prepared for us.

…

The next day, I went to work as usual.

I didn't expect Sabrina to come looking for me, asking me to design a set of wedding diamond rings.

"I heard you're a pretty famous jewelry designer. I happen to be getting married soon. Why don't you design a set of couples' rings for us? Bring out the most expensive stones you have. I've got plenty of money."

As she said that, she pulled out a bank card.

I recognized it right away. It was Percy's.

There were 70 million dollars on it—everything he had.

It wasn't often I came across someone like Sabrina, foolish and loaded. There was no reason not to help her.

But none of the designs I came up with were good enough for her. Every time she looked at a sketch, she had to toss out a few snide remarks. And the more I stayed silent, the more agitated she became.

"So this is what a big-name designer produces? Doesn't look like much to me. My wedding with Percy is in just a few days. If your mistake ruins my wedding, can you really take responsibility for that?"

I drew in a slow breath and kept my voice steady. "I do know someone. He owns the most perfect diamond in the world. If you want, I can design your wedding rings around that stone."

The second Sabrina heard that, she told me to bring the diamond over right away.

When she finally saw that diamond, big as a marble, her eyes went wide.

"Our rings are custom-made. Once you place the order, there are no returns or exchanges. Do you want to check the price first?"

Sabrina scoffed. "No need. My husband has plenty of money. I can spend however I want."

I didn't respond. Quietly, I was pleased because that diamond cost enough to drain Percy dry. I slipped the ring onto Sabrina's finger, but she suddenly jerked her hand back.

"Why did you pinch me? Are you trying to get back at me? Percy not wanting you isn't my fault."

She even called Percy to complain.

When Percy rushed over, he found Sabrina crying off to the side, tears streaming down her face. Without asking a single question, he lashed out at me.

"Maisie, why are you picking on Sabrina again? You didn't use to be like this. I'm really disappointed in you!"

I almost laughed. "Funny. I'm disappointed in you, too."

Percy gently helped Sabrina up. Then, without warning, he slapped me across the face.

"Now you know what it feels like to get hit. Remember this. This is what you owe Sabrina."

My face burned with pain. It was the first time he'd ever hit me.

The bitterness in my chest surged. I strode up, about to hit him back, when my boss, Derek Moore, hurried over and stopped me.

He was Percy's friend, and he'd been my classmate in college. His family ran a huge jewelry company. He'd hired me straight in because he valued my design work.

Derek didn't want to piss Percy off, but he also didn't want to lose me. So he could only stand there playing peacemaker, wiping sweat from his forehead as he tried to smooth things over.

But Percy's anger didn't ease at all. "Fire her. Cut off her income. Let's see if she still dares to go against me."

Derek obviously didn't want to lose a capable employee. After a brief pause, he said awkwardly, "We have a branch overseas. I can transfer her there. That way, you won't have to see her, and you won't be annoyed."

Percy considered it, then sneered at me. "Fine. Send her abroad for a while. Let her stay there and get that nasty temper beaten out of her. When I decide to forgive her, she can come back."

That overseas branch happened to be in the same city as Julian's, so I agreed on the spot.

…

The next day, I boarded a flight overseas. Right before boarding, I received a text from Percy.

"Take some time to reflect on yourself. If you behave well, I'll bring you back."

I didn't text him back.

While I was abroad, I lived with Julian. We were happy together, and it didn't take long before I became pregnant.

The next time I saw Percy was at Julian's company. He'd come to talk about investment.

The second he spotted me, surprise flickered across his face.

"Maisie, I was just about to come get you and bring you back. Why'd you rush over to see me? It's not like I'd break my word."