Chapter 2
Countdown: 25 days.[]
The past five days, his usually clean–cut social feed had,
blown up.]
They were feeding pigeons at Riverwalk Plaza by day
Every moment, captured and shared.]
parades from the hotel rooftop at night.[]
He never mentioned the fireworks he promised me.[]
I sighed and started packing.[]
I’d barely cleared the mess when Spencer’s assistant called.[]
“Ma’am, don’t forget–8 PM, Firefly Bridge.“]
“The fireworks show. Please don’t skip it.”
“If anything goes wrong, Spencer will kill me.‘ “O
Eight years of marriage–and he’s still the only one who calls me “ma’am.“[]
The only person who knows I’m Spencer’s wife.[]
I didn’t want to make it hard for him.
So I agreed.
But when I actually got close to Firefly Bridge, I hesitated.]
Five years ago, when we’d just tied the knot…]
Spencer secretly arranged a private fireworks show for me.
His assistant had tipped me off then, too.[]
Five years later, same bridge.
But I’m not the same woman.
The place was parked.]
Tourists everywhere.]]
Even some news crews.
I started wondering if I’d mixed up the date.
so I called Spencer
Busy signed!
1 called again!
Sall thing
I’s not even sure what I was hoping for
And so Spencer
It was nearty &
Sorordne in the crowd shouted, “Tra starting
This is the fireworks show Spencer planned for his fiance()
Chapter 2
“Guess we’re lucky to crash it!“]
1 froze.
Spencer had always played the role of a bachelor in public.]
That “fiancée” couldn’t be me.[]
Had to be her.
I knew the best view was from the north end of the bridge.
Since I was already here…]
Might as well watch.
Fireworks can’t lie.
But the crowd was thick, and I got pushed forward.[]
Right into the front row.
That’s when I saw him.
Spencer.
Holding Isabella in the best spot, arms wrapped tight.[]
Fireworks lit up the sky behind them.]
And I heard his voice–over the noise, over the cheers.
Confessing his love to her.
A reporter shoved a mic toward Isabella.
“And your answer, ma’am?”
Spencer pulled her dose, eyes full of hope.
Isabella smiled shyly, opened her mouth…]
And that’s when our eyes met
Spencer flinched, shocked.
Valentina.”
And just like that, the crowd went silent.]]
Even the fireworks faded into the background]
Everyone was looking.
At tim
f
Isabelle turned toward me and raised a brow
Who’s tharr
Sparked like he’d swallowed glass
Trying to think of a way out!
I sealed and answered, loud and clear()
The Valentina Spencers. 1
He pwsacked, tried to stop me.
Chapter 2
But I finished the sentence-
e–0
“Cousin.”
His tension melted in an instant.]
He even nodded in approval.[]
He never wanted me known as his wife.]]
And his mother agreed.]]
That’s why she always made me call her “aunt” in public.]]
For five years. I’ve been the perfect secret.]
The show went on.[]
And no one cared about me anymore.
Then the rain started.
Heavy, sudden.[]
Spencer rushed to get Isabella out of the storm.
“She’s sensitive to cold–excuse us!“]]
He shielded her like glass.
Got her in the car.
Left me standing in the rain.]
Soaked to the bone.]
But not cold.
Guess after five years of this marriage…]
I’d stopped feeling anything a long time ago.[]
