Their dynamics felt really similar to Layla and Matthias. Theo got engaged with the other girl and wanted to make Vanessa his mistress. He knew FL's uncle killed her parents and took their property etc by fraudulence and he wanted to trap FL by making her uncle mortgage all those properties to him. Vanessa coincidentally found out about her uncle's misdeeds and investigated all his past actions. Also that her father left her inheritance and her uncle usurped it. Alongside, Theo gifted Vanessa a renowned jewellery piece called 'mermaid's tear' in a public event which basically marked her as the duke's property/mistress to everyone and the tabloids after he announced his engagement. Everyone started trash talking about her. Then, Vanessa found out that River Ross is actually Theo after she became pregnant

I just finished the novel. Its pretty good. But the plot is honestly uncannily similar to Cry, Even Better If You Beg. The ML has the same complex as Matthias. Also the inclusion of war etc. completely gave me that vibe. the ML is slightly better than Matthias but by no means is he innocent. Anyway, good enough read 8/10. I still love cry even better if you beg more hehe