Chapter 2

I stopped by the office to print out the paperwork for my Australian work visa.

By the time I got home, it was well past midnight.

I hadn't even unlocked the door when I heard loud music and bursts of laughter coming from inside.

I opened it and froze.

Matthew's entire little entourage had taken over my apartment.

Music was blaring. Champagne and beer had been spilled across the floor, and empty bottles and food wrappers were scattered everywhere.

The moment they saw me, not one of them looked embarrassed.

Jessica staggered over, a drink in her hand, grinning from ear to ear.

"Lauren, I have to hand it to you. You're something else."

"Even when you were dating Ryan, you made sure to keep yourself a backup plan. That's impressive."

Before I could respond, she pulled something from her pocket and dangled it in front of my face.

My breath caught.

It was the little silver coin Matthew had given me before my surgery.

Back then, I'd been terrified. The night before my operation, Matthew had driven through a terrible storm to a little chapel in the hills, determined to bring me something he believed would keep me safe.

When he finally came back, he was soaked to the skin, exhausted, but smiling like he'd accomplished something extraordinary.

He pressed the coin into my palm.

"Lauren, I had it blessed. You're going to be okay. I promise."

I'd laughed and told him he was ridiculous.

But the next morning, before I could even make it into the operating room, he collapsed from exhaustion himself.

After we broke up, I threw away everything that reminded me of Matthew.

Everything except that coin.

I couldn't bring myself to part with it. Not when it was tied to one of the few memories I'd once believed were real.

Now Jessica was waving it around like a trophy.

I snatched it from her hand.

"Who gave you permission to come into my apartment?"

Matthew's eyes landed on the coin. For a moment, his expression softened.

"You still have it?"

He started toward me, but Jessica immediately hooked her arm through his.

Then she turned to the others, raising her voice.

"Guys, now this is what I call a real gold digger!"

"She always has a backup plan. I'm honestly impressed."

She glanced at Matthew with a wicked grin.

"Come on, you have to admit it. Seeing her keep something you gave her all these years must be pretty emotional."

Whatever softness had appeared in Matthew's expression vanished.

The others caught on immediately.

"Smart move, Lauren. If things didn't work out with Ryan, you could always go running back to Matthew."

"And just imagine how touched he'd be. The girl he loved all those years kept his little lucky charm. Next thing you know, they're married, and the small-town girl gets her happily-ever-after."

They kept piling on, each one inventing a new version of a story that had never happened.

I looked down at the coin in my hand.

Then I walked to the window and hurled it outside.

It disappeared into the darkness below.

Matthew's face changed instantly.

"Lauren! What the hell was that supposed to mean?"

My hands were shaking, but I forced myself to look him in the eye.

"It means I want you all out of my apartment. Now."

Matthew hesitated, as if he couldn't decide whether to argue or come closer.

Jessica wasn't about to let the moment pass.

"Matthew, she's just trying to play hard to get."

"You should propose again. I bet she'd say yes before you even finished asking."

Matthew's expression darkened.

"Lauren, don't push me."

"I can give you anything you want. But I won't tolerate being manipulated."

Ryan, who had been standing with the others, chimed in.

"Come on, Lauren. Matthew's practically handing you everything. Why don't you stop pretending and take the offer?"

I closed my eyes for a second and took a deep breath.

I'd had enough.

I was reaching for my phone to call the police when a knock sounded at the door.

Several uniformed officers were standing outside.

"Good evening. We've received multiple noise complaints about this apartment. We need everyone to cooperate with our investigation."