Chapter 1

1

Havenport, early May.

It was my twenty-first birthday party.

Xander, the man I'd loved for six years―the man I called my uncle―was proposing to another woman right in front of me.

The room erupted in applause, but I couldn't even force a smile. All I felt was a sharp, bitter ache deep in my chest.

As I stood there paralyzed, my phone began vibrating violently in my bag. I pulled it out to find a flood of messages. My thesis advisor's text was pinned right at the top, just under Xander's name.

"Linley, the digital copy of your New York University acceptance letter is here. The physical documents were sent to my office. It's been three days. Have you made up your mind?"

A moment later, another message popped up: "I hope you don't do something reckless. This is the best opportunity you'll ever have. If you give me an answer tonight, we can start your visa process immediately."

The screen went dark. I stood in the middle of the celebration, staring into space for a long time.

New York, NYU… it all felt so far away. But then I looked at the couple at the center of the room, surrounded by adoring guests.

I let out a slow, shaky breath and typed my reply: "Professor, I'm going. Let's start the visa paperwork tomorrow."

As soon as I hit send, I looked up and locked eyes with Xander. He had approached me without me noticing.

He pulled out a small jewelry box and opened it to reveal a necklace. "Happy birthday. This is for you."

I didn't reach for it. I just looked at him in silence.

He stared back, his dark eyes deep and unreadable.

After a heavy beat of silence, he suddenly let out a small laugh. "What are you standing there for? It's the crescent moon design you've been wanting. I spent forever hunting this down."

Acting as if nothing was wrong, he stepped behind me and draped his arm over my shoulder. He brushed my hair aside to clasp the necklace around my neck.

His warm breath hit the skin of my neck, sending a shiver through me that made my eyes sting.

I clenched my fists, my voice thick. "Do you love her?"

He paused, then ruffled my hair like I was a child. "Linley, why would I propose to her if I didn't love her? What kind of question is that?"

That was Xander for you. He always knew how to say the most heartbreaking things with the gentlest smile, effortlessly brushing aside any awkwardness.

My anger felt like a punch landing on a pillow. It just sank in, leaving me feeling suffocated.

I told myself that if he showed even a tiny bit of favoritism toward me, I would stay. I'd be shameless. I'd give up the chance to go abroad just to stay by his side forever.

So, I pushed further, desperate for a different answer. "Xander, who's more important to you? Me or her?"

The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly. His dark eyes hardened, and his voice turned ice-cold.

"How many times do I have to remind you? You're supposed to call me Uncle."

"Also, stop wasting time on these pointless questions. I don't have time for your tantrums tonight."

Uncle.

The word tasted like ash in my mouth. My voice felt dry. "I'm not throwing a tantrum. If I said I was leaving, would you still marry her?"

"Leaving?" Xander repeated, his expression mocking. "Where could you possibly go?"

"Enough with these ridiculous questions. You're an adult now; stop acting like a spoiled brat. As for who I love and who's important… that has nothing to do with you. No one dictates my decisions."

With that, he turned on his heel. He didn't look back as he wrapped his arm around Sienna's waist and disappeared around the corner.

I stood there, watching their retreating backs until they vanished.

When I finally snapped out of it, I felt completely hollow inside.

"This is it, Xander. I'm really leaving."

"I'm finally… giving up on you."