Page 1 of Savage Sanctuary

Chapter One

Wren

“Oh my gosh. When is the wedding?” one of the women gushing about my ring asked me. I swallowed a thick lump in my throat, forcing a smile onto my face.

That was all everyone had been able to ask since the magical proposal that broke the Internet.

“It’s still next year,” I said with a smile no one has ever bothered to see through.

Not these women. No, they didn’t care. All they cared about was the luxurious rock on my finger and how I showed up hanging on the arm of one of the richest men in Covington Hills. They didn’t even like me. I vividly remember walking in on some of them, snickering among themselves and asking why a man like Derek Cole settled for a tramp like me.

“You must be so excited.” One of the ladies smiled.

It didn’t reach her eyes. It reeked with envy, or more like her wondering why it had to be me and not her.

I pulled my hand away. “Yeah, I am. I feel like the luckiest woman alive.”

Liar.

“You should,” another answered, tucking a strand of her red hair behind her ear. “Most women in Covington Hills would kill to have what you have.”

By most, you mean you?

“I know. I’m so blessed.”

“We are so happy for you, Wren.” One of the women wrapped her arm around my waist. I sucked in a wince, clinging to the smile on my face.

Derek never liked it when we hosted parties at his mansion and I looked moody. He often reminded me that people judged him through me—my appearance, my attitude, and my ability to get along well with the other housewives. More like my willingness to suck it up and resist throwing a drink in their faces even when they overstep.

“Is it just me or is Wren putting on some weight?” Iris, one of the socialites, commented as she swung toward us in her black cocktail dress.

Iris has always had it out for me. Her reason? Just like every other woman in here. I didn’t deserve Derek.

“Oh, yes. I noticed too.”

“Me too.”

“I just thought it’d be weird to mention something about it.”