Chapter 1

At my boyfriend's exhibition party, I went into anaphylactic shock after eating the cake Mia handed me.

I stumbled, reaching for my EpiPen, only for Mia to snatch it out of my hand and crush it under her heel.

"Give... it back..." I choked out, grabbing onto my boyfriend's arm.

He just shook me off, disgusted. "Chloe, can you stop being so dramatic? It's not that big a deal."

"Yeah, Mia's basically family," one of his friends chimed in. "You're being way too jealous and controlling."

Nobody was listening to me anymore.

With the last of my strength, I pressed down on the hidden button on the side of my watch — the one I'd never had to use before.

——

Tonight was Liam's celebration party for his solo art exhibition.

As his official girlfriend, I sat at the edge of the long table, watching him get swarmed by a bunch of so-called friends right in the center of it all.

And perched on the arm of his chair? Mia.

She was wearing a red slip dress with a neckline that plunged almost to her navel, her wavy hair "accidentally" brushing against Liam's cheek every few seconds.

She raised her champagne glass, giggling like crazy. "Liam, I knew you were a genius! Those gallery owners were completely blown away by your talent!"

"Couldn't have done it without you, Mia. You've been by my side through the whole creative process." Liam gazed at her tenderly, and the two of them clinked glasses like nobody else existed.

I sat a few feet away, watching the whole scene unfold, feeling a cold weight settle in my chest.

Liam was just a broke artist. What he didn't know was that this exhibition—the one making him the talk of the town tonight—only happened because I'd secretly pulled every string I had, practically begging a top curator in New York to make it happen.

I'd disguised myself as an ordinary gallery assistant, all so I could protect this relationship, keep it pure, untainted by money.

But looking at this now? My devotion felt like a sick joke.

"Oh my god, why is Chloe just sitting there all by herself, staring off into space?" Mia suddenly turned, covering her mouth in mock surprise.

"Are you feeling left out 'cause you don't get all this art talk? Bored much?"

She sauntered over, hips swaying, holding a dainty little plate, and slid it toward me. "Don't be salty, okay? Here, try this. I had the chef whip up something special just for you. Sweet enough to melt your heart, I promise."

Liam turned too, brows furrowing, clearly annoyed.

"Chloe, it's my big night. Can you not sit there looking like the whole world owes you something?"

"Mia's being nice enough to bring you food, and you're giving her attitude?"

The circle of buddies around them jumped right in, needling me with fake concern.

"Yeah, seriously, way to kill the vibe."

"Mia's like one of the guys—don't tell me you're actually jealous of her?"

I almost laughed at how absurd this whole thing was.

But I didn't want to make a scene in public, so I took a deep breath, picked up my fork, and cut off a small piece of the cake.

"See? That's more like it." Mia burst out giggling and sashayed right back to Liam's side.

But less than ten seconds after I swallowed it, a sharp, searing pain exploded in my mouth.

Something was wrong.

The swelling shot from the back of my tongue straight down my throat.

My eyes went wide. It felt like an invisible hand had clamped down on my windpipe.

Peanuts.

I have a severe, life-threatening allergy to nuts—even a trace amount can trigger anaphylactic shock within minutes.

I remembered so clearly, I'd told Liam this. Over and over. In no uncertain terms.

"Cough... cough!" I tried to clear my throat, but my airway was already closing up fast.

My face flushed hot, red hives crawling up my neck in an angry wave.

I gripped the tablecloth with both hands, gasping for air, but my lungs felt like they'd been sucked dry.

"Help... me..." I turned my head, my bloodshot eyes locking onto Liam, my trembling hand reaching out to him.

Liam turned, took one look at me, and instead of panicking, his face twisted with disgust. "Chloe, what kind of scene are you making now? Can you not be so dramatic? Always gotta act like you're some delicate little flower. Are you seriously that jealous of me having a good night?"

"Should we, like, get her some water?" Mia asked, feigning concern.

"Nah, don't bother. She's just faking it. Wants attention."

"Yeah, totally staging this. Pretty convincing act, though." The buddy squad burst into laughter.

My vision started to blur. My throat burned like it was being sliced open with glass.

I stared at Liam's face—the same face I once thought was the most handsome thing I'd ever seen. Now all I saw was cold contempt and irritation.

He didn't even bother standing up. He just lifted his glass and tossed out one last icy line:

"Ignore her. Let's keep drinking. Let her throw her little tantrum by herself."