Chapter 1

Chapter 1 I went to an upscale club to help a heartbroken friend blow off steam.

Instead, I caught my boyfriend grinding against another girl on the crowded dance floor.

Under the flashing neon lights, they shared a deep, passionate kiss.

The girl looked sweet and innocent, blushing softly―a spitting image of who I used to be years ago.

Years after our breakup, people still teased my ex whenever they drank together.

"Lorena has been married for ten years already. Why can't you just let her go?"

My ex choked back his tears.

"Because she's the only girl I will ever truly love."

Chapter 1 "Sisters before misters!"

My best friend Faye had just gone through a nasty breakup.

She sobbed loudly in the karaoke booth, singing her heart out until her voice cracked. Still not satisfied, she dragged me to an upscale downtown club, claiming she needed some eye candy to cheer herself up.

After a few cocktails, her eyes turned bloodshot.

She leaned in and patted my shoulder heavily.

"Babe, I have to be real with you."

"You and Kaden have been dating for eight whole years. You've proposed to him three times already, so why won't he just marry you?"

"A woman shouldn't always be the one chasing. Did that jerk have a change of heart?"

I shook my head gently.

"He explained it to me. He's just swamped with work, and we'll get married once the company goes public."

After eight years together, the initial spark had long settled into a comfortable routine. Going a couple of weeks without seeing each other felt completely normal.

Having built our lives together for eight years, of course I trusted him.

"Yeah, you're right," Faye sighed, raising her glass. "My bad. I'll take a penalty shot for running my mouth."

"Kaden is a solid guy. He'd never pull the kind of trash my ex did. Five years together, and he cheated on me for four of them! Complete scumbag!"

Just then, the DJ cranked up a pounding, high-energy beat.

Seeing Faye still looking down, I pulled her to her feet and pushed her toward the floor.

"We came here to unwind, not to drown in sorrow."

"Go find a hot guy to dance with!"

The alcohol kicked in, and Faye flashed a bright smile, swaying her hips as she melted into the crowd.

She was gorgeous with an incredible figure, and it didn't take long for a handsome guy to start chatting her up.

I turned to head back to our booth, but something caught my eye.

Right in the center of the dance floor, a couple was pressed tightly together.

They moved in sync to the heavy rhythm, occasionally leaning in for intense, lingering kisses.

Their movements were effortless and electric, clearly regulars who knew how to command attention.

The crowd naturally parted around them, giving them room to move.

The man had his back to me.

He was tall with broad shoulders and clean, neatly trimmed dark hair.

His hands rested firmly on the girl's waist, swaying to the beat.

Usually, I had no interest in watching strangers make out in public.

I would have looked away after a casual glance.

Yet in that instant, I couldn't tear my eyes away.

His silhouette looked terrifyingly identical to my boyfriend, Kaden.

But wasn't he supposed to be out of state on a business trip?

"Hey beautiful, it's rude to stare at other people when you've got me right here," a flirtatious voice spoke up.

It was Tyler, the VIP host who had seated us earlier.

Ever since we walked in, he had been eyeing me with obvious interest.

I ignored his banter, keeping my gaze locked onto the couple.

Tyler scratched his neck, chuckling awkwardly. "I didn't peg you as someone into mature executives. Too bad you don't stand a chance with Mr. Ward."

"No matter how gorgeous a woman is, Mr. Ward only has eyes for sweet college girls. He brings that little beauty here all the time and turns down every other woman who approaches him."

Mr. Ward? Kaden Ward?

Was it really him?

A voice in my head desperately tried to rationalize it.

No… it had to be a coincidence.

Kaden had been completely buried under corporate meetings for the upcoming IPO.

He had been so busy that when my father passed away, he could only send his assistant to attend the funeral.

Right now, he was supposed to be out of state negotiating with foreign investors. How could he possibly be partying here?

Still, an unbearable ache twisted in my chest, clawing at my throat.

I wasn't the type to let doubts fester in silence.

There was an easy way to find out.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Kaden's number.

He didn't answer.

Suddenly, I saw the man on the dance floor freeze, pull out his phone, and tap the screen.

My call disconnected, and a text popped up.

Across the room, the man slipped his phone back into his pocket and pulled the girl right back into his arms.

They fell into another passionate kiss.

The girl's manicured hands slid down the tapered curve of his back, moving intimately along his waist.

Their raw chemistry made everyone around them blush.

Meanwhile, I stared down at the short message on my screen, frozen solid.

"In a meeting."