My Fiancé Called Me Boring

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A week before I was supposed to get engaged to Harrison Miller, he mocked me for being boring right in front of my arch-nemesis.

When I confronted him, he just leaned back with a lazy, arrogant smirk. The only reason the Vance family is still afloat is because of me. Who do you think you are, acting all high and mighty with that dead-fish attitude?

Later that night, I pinned his older brother against the wall.

I let my thumb graze his burning Adam's apple.

"Caleb... do you think I'm boring, too?"

"Clara Vance, if you had shown up any later, we would have finished the party without you."

I had just signed a major contract and rushed to the VIP lounge, only to be met with Harrison's biting sarcasm the moment I pushed open the heavy doors.

He was reclining on a leather sofa, looking as indolent as ever.

Before I could even get a word out, a woman's voice drifted from the shadows.

"Oh, don't be so hard on her, Harrison. Miss Vance isn't like us spoiled trust-fund kids!"

As the flickering club lights hit her face, I finally saw her clearly.

The woman sitting right next to Harrison was my long-time rival, Jocelyn Reed.

The entire room was filled with the people we had grown up with in the Upper East Side.

I used to be just like themDaimless, wealthy, and obsessed with pleasure.

But everything changed five years ago when my family's empire came crashing down.

I forced a smile, set my bag down, and poured a glass of bourbon to toast Jocelyn.

"When did you get back? You didn't mention you were coming home."

Jocelyn played with the massive pink diamond on her finger, her eyes glinting with malice.

"I've been back for a few days. Harrison has been keeping me company the whole time."

My hand trembled, and the smile on my face froze.

Suddenly, Harrison's coldness over the past week made perfect sense.

I slowly set the glass down and looked directly at the man I was supposed to marry.

Harrison hadn't expected Jocelyn to be so blunt, and a flash of guilt crossed his face before he masked it with annoyance.

"So, when you told me you were too busy to go wedding dress shopping, you were actually with her?"

My question seemed to trigger his defensive rage.

"Are you interrogating me, Clara? What about you! Every time I ask you out, you're either working or meeting clients! Do I even have a place in your life?"

A lump formed in my throat.

I wanted nothing more than to return to my old life of shopping and mindless fun.

But since my father died and our business collapsed, I was the only thing standing between my younger brother, my aging mother, and total ruin.

I worked myself to the bone just so the Miller family wouldn't look down on us.

I stared into his eyes, the explanation dying on my lips.

I just wanted one honest answer.

"So, you're choosing Jocelyn?"

Jocelyn had been obsessed with Harrison for years.

Harrison knew exactly how she felt about him.

To save face in front of his friends, he didn't answer my question. Instead, he pointed at the contract in my hand.

"The Vance family only exists because I allow it. Stop acting like a martyr. That dead-fish attitude is exhausting."

My grip tightened on the glass until my knuckles turned white.

In five years, the gap between us had become an ocean, and our love had finally drowned.

I downed the bourbon in one go.

The liquid burned my throat, momentarily numbing the ache in my chest.

"Fine. I get it."

I stumbled out of the lounge, desperate to escape the suffocating air of that room.

I hadn't eaten all day, so the alcohol hit my system like a freight train.

The plush carpet of the private club felt like walking on clouds, making my head spin.

As I rounded a corner, my ankle twisted.

I braced myself for the hard floor, but the fall never came.

Are you okay?

A deep, velvet voice vibrated near my ear as a pair of strong hands caught me.

My dress was backless, and I could feel the heat of his palms pressed against my skin, sending a jolt through my body.

I looked up with blurred vision.

The mans features were breathtakingDdark, piercing eyes that held a hidden softness.

I blinked rapidly, trying to focus. Caleb...?

Caleb Miller frowned, steadying me. Why are you so drunk? Where is Harrison?

The mere mention of Harrisons name made my stomach churn.

I let out a bitter laugh. Hes... hes busy with Jocelyn.

Everyone in our social circle knew the history between us.

Calebs eyes darkened. Without a word, he turned back toward the lounge.

Caleb, wait! What are you doing?

Im going to make him explain himself.

Caleb was five years older than us. He had taken over the Miller conglomerate years ago and rarely associated with our rowdy group anymore.

He was the definition of cold, calculated powerDa man who kept everyone at a distance.

People often joked about who would eventually melt the heart of the Ice King.

Maybe it was the alcohol, or maybe it was the years of pent-up resentment, but I moved faster than I thought possible.

I shoved him back against the hallway door.

Caleb was tall, forcing me to crane my neck to look at him.

Clara, what are you doing?

His voice wasn't angry; it was laced with a gentle concern that nearly broke me.

I watched his Adam's apple bob as he spoke.

The hallway was empty, the distant sound of the clubs orchestra creating a hauntingly intimate atmosphere.

I let my finger trace the sharp line of his throat.

Caleb... do you think Im boring, too?

Before I could process my own boldness, Calebs hand clamped onto the back of my head.

His other arm wrapped around my waist, crushing me against his chest until there was no space left between us.

A scent of cedarwood and expensive tobacco enveloped me.

I didn't back down. I hooked my arms around his neck and began to clumsily, hungrily devour his lips.

I felt his entire body stiffen beneath his bespoke black suit.

His eyes, usually so controlled, were now swirling with a dark, predatory heat.

The sound of an elevator dinging broke the spell.

My face flushed crimson, and I practically bolted toward the exit before he could say a word.

I couldn't believe my luck when I stepped outside into a torrential downpour.

The summer rain was freezing, soaking through my dress in seconds.

Ill drive you home.

Caleb had followed me down, his expression unreadable.

The cold wind helped clear some of the alcohol from my brain.

I tried to act casual, waving him off while opening my Uber app.

But it was a weekend in the city during a storm; the wait time was over an hour.

Defeated, I climbed into the passenger seat of his SUV.

As soon as he started the engine, his phone rang.

It was Harrison.

The sounds of the party blared through the cars speakers.

Caleb, where the hell are you? The manager said you arrived ages ago!

I couldn't help it. I let out a loud sneeze.

The silence on the other end was deafening.

Wait... was that a girl? Holy shit! I thought the manager was joking when he said you were making out with someone in the hall!

Harrison sounded like his head was about to explode.

I felt a sick sense of irony.

I wondered what his face would look like if he knew the woman was the fiance he had just insulted.

Caleb saw the pain in my eyes and instantly hung up.

Don't listen to him, he said softly.

I nodded, staring out the window.

After the bankruptcy, we had to sell our penthouse and move to a modest apartment in the suburbs.

Even though I had managed to stabilize the business, I had grown used to living there.

I was exhausted, having survived on four hours of sleep a night for weeks.

Safe in the quiet hum of the car, I drifted off.

When I woke up, the sun was peeking through the clouds.

I was covered in Calebs suit jacket.

It didn't smell like the heavy, cloying cologne Harrison wore; it smelled like fresh citrus and mint.

I carefully tried to fold the jacket, but I found myself staring at him.

He was stunning. He had deep-set eyes, a straight nose, and lashes that were unfairly long for a man.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.

Caught red-handed, I scrambled back into my seat.

Morning, Caleb.

He actually looked like he was in a good mood.

A small smile played on his lips. Morning.

Right then, his stomach let out a loud growl.

I looked at my slightly run-down apartment building nearby.

Do you... want to come up for breakfast? I remember you used to love my moms cooking.

I expected him to say no.

Caleb was a notorious neat-freak with incredibly high standards.

I had invited Harrison over dozens of times, but he always refused.

Once, he had looked at my neighborhood with such disgust and said, I feel like I need a tetanus shot just standing on this sidewalk.

That was probably when I should have realized we were doomed.

But Caleb surprised me.

Id love to. Its been a long time since Ive had your mothers pancakes.

I wasn't a fool.

I had noticed Calebs strange behavior toward me for a long time.

Even Harrison used to tell me to stay away from his big brother.

I hadn't been sure before.

But after last night, the pieces were starting to fall into place.

Caleb... do you have feelings for me?

I finally gathered the courage to ask.

Yes. I do.

He said it without hesitation.

Ive loved you for a long time, Clara. But Harrison got to you first. He promised me he would take care of you...

My mind went blank.

So Harrison knew all along.

Harrison had spent his whole life trying to take things away from Caleb.

I started to wonder if he only chose me because he knew Caleb wanted me.

I suddenly felt a wave of regret for asking.

If I hadn't asked, could we have just pretended forever?

Caleb, Im so sorry, I dont know what to say...

He cut me off with a gentle smile.

I just wanted you to know that youre not alone. Im always behind you.

When the Vance family fell, our friends vanished overnight.

If it wasn't for Caleb keeping our business contracts alive, we would have been on the street.

I always thought it was Harrisons doing.

But looking back, why would a CEO let his playboy brother handle multi-million dollar accounts?

It was Caleb. It was always Caleb.

It was Sunday morning, and the sidewalk was bustling with street vendors and neighbors.

The local ladies, who had never seen Harrison, immediately assumed Caleb was my boyfriend.

Oh, Clara! You brought your man home!

Look at them, what a gorgeous couple!

Stop it, look at her blushing!

I covered my face with my hands, feeling my skin burn.

No, its not what you think!

But they just gave me that we know better look and kept giggling.

I turned to Caleb, mortified. Im so sorry, they talk too much.

Its fine, he said.

His dark eyes were warm, filled with a tenderness that made it hard to look away.

I knew exactly what that look meant now.

I quickly looked down and led him inside.

When we entered the apartment, my mother wasn't worried; she was ecstatic.

She saw me wearing Calebs jacket.

Did you stay over at the Miller estate last night?

Mom!

Ever since my father died, my mother had become erratic and desperate.

She didn't see my hard work; she only saw Harrison as our golden ticket back to high society.

Caleb stepped forward.

She was with me, Mrs. Vance.

My mothers face fell slightly.

Oh... not Harrison?

I thought about Harrisons insults and Jocelyns smirk.

My body began to shake with anger.

Mom, I am not marrying Harrison.

She immediately started screaming at me, losing all decorum.

If you don't marry him, the Millers will ruin us! The Vance name will be gone forever! How can you be so selfish?

What about me? What about my happiness?

She didn't care.

She sat on the sofa, rocking back and forth.

Its over! Were finished!

Calebs voice rang out, steady and cold.

As long as I am here, the Vance family will never fall.