Chapter 8 - The Facade Crumbles
"Excuse me," Chloe interrupted, finally finding her voice. Her initial embarrassment had swiftly morphed into defensive anger. She glared at Brandon, her perfectly manicured hands resting on her hips. "You told me you owned a stake in this place. You told my parents you were the managing partner. You’re just an employee?"
Brandon flinched. "Chloe, please. I make a great living. I manage the entire property—"
"But it's not yours!" Chloe snapped, her voice shrill. "I defended you to my friends. I wore this ring thinking I was marrying a hotel magnate, not some glorified bellhop who answers to a woman in a cheap coat!"
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Eleanor watched the exchange with quiet pity. This was the tragedy of superficiality.
Brandon looked at Chloe, really looked at her, perhaps for the first time. The sparkling gown, the expensive makeup, the massive diamond—it was all a beautifully constructed facade, much like his own lie. "Chloe," he said softly, a profound sadness entering his voice. "If my title is the only reason you said yes, then maybe we have a bigger problem than my job."
