Chapter 1

Ava Green checked her reflection one last time. The simple black dress looked good. She clutched the small, heavy box in her hands. Three years. It felt like a lifetime and no time at all. She was meeting Jake Miller at their favorite restaurant to celebrate their third anniversary.

She had spent weeks finding the perfect gift, a vintage watch from a small Swiss maker Jake admired. It cost her nearly everything she had saved, but it was worth it. For him.

The restaurant was loud and crowded, but the corner booth Jake always reserved was quiet. He wasn't there yet. Ava sat down, placing the gift on the table. She felt a familiar flutter of excitement.

She was an actress, moderately successful, but Jake was the CEO of a major entertainment company. He was powerful, charming, and, she believed, completely in love with her.

She waited. Ten minutes passed, then twenty. She checked her phone. No messages. She was about to call him when she heard a familiar voice from the other side of the high-backed booth. It was Jake. He was laughing with his friend, Ryan.

"So, are you ever going to make it official with Ava?" Ryan asked.

Jake laughed again, a sound that usually made Ava's heart race. Now, it made her stomach clench.

"Official? With her?" Jake's voice was dismissive. "Ryan, you know how it is. A celebrity is no different from a dog. You play with them, you feed them, but you don't bring them home to meet your mother."

The words hit Ava like a physical blow. She couldn't breathe.

Ryan chuckled. "Cruel, man. She seems to really like you."

"They all do," Jake said, his voice dripping with arrogance. "But do you think I'd marry a dog? My family would disown me. I'm marrying Chloe Peterson. It's all arranged. Good for business."

Ava felt the blood drain from her face. Chloe Peterson. The socialite. The heiress.

She stood up on shaky legs, the gift box feeling like a lead weight in her hand. She walked around the booth and faced them. The laughter died on Jake's lips. His eyes widened in shock. Ryan looked away, suddenly fascinated by his drink.

"Ava," Jake started, trying to recover.

She didn't let him speak. She placed the box on the table in front of him. Her voice was steady, shockingly calm.

"Happy anniversary, Jake."

She turned and walked out of the restaurant without looking back. The cold night air felt good on her hot skin. She didn't cry. She just felt empty.

Her phone buzzed. It was Jake. She ignored it. It buzzed again. A text message.

It's not what you think. Let's talk.

She deleted it.

Another message came through, this time from his assistant, Mark. Mr. Miller has secured you the lead role in 'City of Echoes'. The most prestigious film of the year. He said to tell you this should be enough.

Enough to buy her silence. Enough to pay her off for three years of her life.

Ava typed a reply to Mark. Tell Mr. Miller I'm not interested.

A final text from Jake appeared moments later. It was no longer apologetic. It was a threat.

The whole industry knows you were with me. You won't find better. Don't be stupid, Ava.

She blocked his number. She looked up at the city lights, which suddenly seemed cold and mocking. She had given him three years of her life, her love, her trust. And to him, she was just a dog.