When Love Is a Lie (Whitney and Damian) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Do You Want Me

Whitney Spencer was on her way to deliver some documents to the CEO's office when she got a call from the bridal shop.

"Ms. Spencer, the wedding dress you tried on last time has been altered. You can come in to try it again."

"Alright."

After hanging up the phone, Whitney knocked twice on the CEO's door. She pushed it open, only to find that Damian Howard wasn't there.

He wasn't there the last time she tried on dresses either. She had hoped he could join her this time, but it seemed he was busy again.

It was almost time to head home, so Whitney decided to go to the bridal shop on her own.

The shop was housed in a vintage building, exuding a unique artistic vibe. This was one of the top bridal shops in Seabourke.

As soon as the staff members saw Whitney get out of the car, they greeted her with respect. After all, they were well aware that she was the future bride of the heir to the Howard family in Seabourke.

"Your dress is in the fitting room at the back, Ms. Spencer."

Noticing the staff members were about to personally escort her, Whitney smiled politely. "I can go by myself."

The curved hallway was lined with beautifully crafted wedding dresses. As she walked, she admired the exquisite designs. The soft carpet almost swallowed up the sound of her footsteps.

Suddenly, familiar voices drifted from the fitting room ahead.

"Enough. Don't make a fuss."

"I'm not making a fuss! I just want to attend your wedding and be a bridesmaid. Why is that so wrong?"

The man's voice was deep and commanding while the woman's response was full of frustration.

Whitney's heart skipped a beat. Her steps grew heavier as she slowly moved toward the door of the fitting room.

The door wasn't fully closed. Through the narrow crack, she couldn't see much, but the voices were growing clearer.

"You can't," the man said.

"Why? I just want to be a little closer to you for one last time…"

"Because if you come, I won't be able to resist running away from the wedding." The man seemed to relent as he continued, "You love shopping, right? Go to Croydon for a few days. Buy whatever you want with my card. I'll come look for you once the wedding is over."

"Just what am I to you? Your niece? Or your secret lover? Just let me go..." The woman's voice broke into sobs.

The man sounded helpless but also somewhat anxious. "Didn't I tell you before? Status doesn't matter. What matters is the heart. Don't you know who mine belongs to?"

The room fell silent for a few seconds.

"Can't you just not get married?" The woman's voice softened as well.

"Stop asking silly questions. You just need to trust that I'm doing this for our future," the man responded.

As Whitney listened to their conversation, her blood seemed to rush to her head, as if a dam had broken and all her emotions flooded through her at once.

The two voices she heard belonged to Damian Howard, the man she was set to marry in a month, and Rachel Yanes, his niece in name.

Rachel was adopted by Damian's grandfather, Elijah Howard, as his great-granddaughter.

The man Whitney had loved for eight years, the one who had always been so kind and attentive to her, was cheating on her. At that moment, her world seemed to lose all its color.