Chapter 1

1

On the night before we were supposed to say our vows, my fiancé's bed photos with his little childhood sweetheart went viral on my social media feed.

When I confronted him, he just looked at me with pure disdain.

"It was just for fun. You can understand that, right?"

"Besides, you weren't even my wife at that moment."

Later, after I posted my wedding photo with the legendary campus heartthrob, he came to me like a madman, demanding answers.

I simply flashed the diamond ring on my finger.

"What does it have to do with you? You aren't my husband at this moment, anyway."

...

Xavier Miller's bed photos were spreading like wildfire.

In the picture, he was lying on a king-sized bed, shirtless and fast asleep.

His cheeks still had that lingering flush from a night of drinking.

My friends were losing their minds, tagging me left and right.

"Nora Blackwood, isn't that your fiancé?!"

As soon as I saw it, I called him to demand an explanation.

To my surprise, his tone was completely indifferent.

"Who I'm with is none of your business. We aren't married yet, so stop trying to control me!"

"Besides, I only agreed to marry you. I never said I'd love you."

He hung up before I could even find my voice.

A moment later, a friend sent another photo.

This time, it was a selfie of Xavier with a woman.

They were both barely dressed. Xavier had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist, a smug grin plastered on his face.

I recognized her instantly. It was Macy Jenkins, his childhood friend from college.

I slipped off my engagement ring and sent Xavier a text.

"The wedding is off. Go ahead and play with whoever you want."

I put my phone down, feeling a wave of bitterness wash over me.

Xavier and I were childhood friends who grew up together.

Our families were close, and they had arranged our marriage long ago.

I thought we were in love, a perfect match made in heaven.

But as we grew up, he changed girlfriends faster than he changed his clothes.

At first, I thought he was just young and hadn't had enough fun yet. I thought he didn't want to be tied down too early.

Because I loved him, I tolerated it over and over again.

But now, a single thought popped into my head.

"Why should I?"

What the hell did he think I was?

Not long after the text, Xavier called me back. His voice was full of mockery and arrogance.

"Oh, is the great Miss Blackwood actually angry? You say the wedding is off just like that? Do you think your parents will even agree?"

The anger I had been suppressing finally exploded.

"My words represent my parents. Don't ever contact me again."

Xavier went quiet for a second, sounding confused.

"What is wrong with you? When I was with my exes before, didn't you even buy us dinner?"

Before I could speak, I heard Macy's giggling from his side.

"Oh, is your fiancée throwing a tantrum? Tell her we're just playing house. You're going to marry her anyway, so why is she being such a brat?"

Playing?

Did you want to play in the shower or on the balcony?

If you two make a baby, are you going to expect me to be its mother?

Macy continued to tease him. "Babe, aren't you going to go comfort her? She looks like she's actually mad."

Her voice disgusted me, and I was about to hang up.

Xavier's voice turned cold. "There's nothing to comfort. She's always like this. Just ignore her."

He sounded so certain, like he had me wrapped around his finger.

Then, he spoke to Macy in a doting tone. "Babe, didn't you say you've never flown first class? I'll buy you the most expensive ticket for our flight back tomorrow!"