Chapter 1

For eighteen years, Ethan Caldwell was the person I trusted most.

Then, on the night meant to celebrate my future, he handed me another woman's hotel key and asked me to protect her reputation.

I gave him one final chance: meet me at the airport and choose our promised trip. Instead, he lied about a car accident while I watched him wrap a matching scarf around Vanessa Reed's neck.

By the time Ethan understood that I was truly gone, I had already chosen a life where love would never mean waiting to come second.

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“Chloe Bennett, this party is for you. You got into your dream school. Why are you acting like this?”

Ethan Caldwell’s voice followed me through the music as I zipped my bag and walked out of the bar.

The night air hit my face. I stopped on the steps instead of heading straight for the curb.

Ethan and I had grown up together. Eighteen years of shared birthdays, scraped knees, exam weeks, and private jokes. We had dated for the last three of those years. Even after the way he had spent my celebration hovering around Vanessa Reed, some small part of me still expected him to come outside, take my hand, and apologize.

The glass door opened ten minutes later.

“Chloe.”

I turned.

Ethan wasn’t empty-handed. Vanessa’s pink-and-white jacket hung over one arm, and a hotel key card rested between two fingers.

He held it out to me. “Take this.”

I looked from the card to the hotel next door. “Why?”

“Vanessa drank too much and got sick in the restroom. Her parents are strict. If she goes home like this, they’ll make her life miserable.” He lowered his voice and reached for my hand. “I can’t help her change, and if anyone sees me taking her upstairs, they’ll talk. You’re my girlfriend. Please help me get her settled. Just for tonight.”

For a second, I could only stare at him.

The girlfriend he had ignored all evening was suddenly useful—as cover for the woman he had spent the night protecting.

“I’m your girlfriend,” I said. “I’m not the excuse you use whenever you want to play hero for Vanessa.”

His expression tightened. “Don’t turn this into something ugly. I’m asking for one favor.”

When I didn’t take the card, he tried to press it into my palm.

“Vanessa’s always been timid. Tonight scared her. You’re usually reasonable, Chloe. Why are you being so petty now?”

I knocked his hand aside. The key card struck the pavement between us.

“Keep it. Go protect her precious innocence.” I met his eyes. “We’re done.”

A cab pulled up at the curb. I got into the back seat before he could answer.

“Please drive.”

Through the rear window, I saw Ethan standing beneath the bar’s neon sign, still holding Vanessa’s jacket. He didn’t run after the cab. Of course he didn’t. Vanessa was inside, frightened and fragile, and I had spent years proving I could take care of myself.

My phone lit up before we reached the next intersection.

Ethan: Throw your tantrum if you need to. I sent you money for the room. Calm down.

I sent one reply.

Save it for her hangover medicine.

Then I blocked him.