Chapter 1

1

My boyfriend's first love framed me for stealing her research. At our graduation ceremony, he publicly demanded that I apologize to her.

"If it doesn't belong to you, why won't you give it back?" he asked coldly.

I realized then that he was right. Some things really did need to be returned.

I left his city, threw away the engagement ring, and deleted every way to contact him. I gave him back to his first love.

I thought our paths would never cross again.

But six years later, at a prestigious academic seminar, he spotted me in the crowd, dancing with another man.

Under the gaze of the entire elite academic world, the man known as the 'Ice King' of science broke down in tears.

"Did you throw me away just for him?" he sobbed.

......

The university auditorium was packed. Every gaze leveled at me was filled with disgust and contempt.

I could hear the whispers buzzing like flies around me. "How does she even have the nerve to show up? If I were her, I would've crawled into a hole and never come out."

"Seriously. I guess being a trust-fund kid means you think you can get away with anything."

Their words washed over me, heavy with a disdain that threatened to pull me under.

The news that I had supposedly plagiarized Annabel Reed's research had spread like wildfire.

Nobody questioned the truth of it. In their eyes, Annabel was the golden girl―brilliant and hardworking.

She was the sweetheart of the department, well-liked by everyone.

Meanwhile, I was seen as the spoiled rich girl who had spent years targeting her out of spite.

The rumor was that I did it because Annabel was the first love of my boyfriend, Hayden Sterling.

As the fingers pointed, I could only tighten my grip on the flash drive in my pocket.

I opened my mouth to defend myself, but then I saw Hayden and Annabel walking toward me.

Annabel smiled at the crowd, her voice sweet and conciliatory. "Everyone, please. Joanie just made a mistake in the heat of the moment. We're all classmates. Let's not be too hard on her."

Her words sounded like she was protecting me, but in reality, they were the final nail in my coffin.

Hayden looked at Annabel with such raw tenderness it made my stomach churn. "Annabel, you're just too kind. This is academic theft! A thief like Joanie doesn't deserve your protection."

His words hit me like a physical blow to the chest.

Seeing the agony in my eyes, Hayden's expression shifted to one of pure loathing. He turned his face away as if the sight of me made him sick.

"Joanie, stop looking at me with those pathetic eyes. Don't act like I'm the one who betrayed you!"

"I didn't do anything wrong. You're the one who betrayed Annabel! We've known each other forever, and I never realized you were this kind of person."

My heart felt like it was being shredded.

I could handle the insults from the crowd, but Hayden's words were a knife to the soul.

We had grown up together as childhood sweethearts. Did he really not know who I was?

I didn't want to look at them for another second. I turned to walk away.

But the moment I moved, Hayden's voice boomed across the hall, stopping me in my tracks.

"Joanie, since everyone is here, go up on stage and apologize to Annabel publicly. Or else..."

I looked at him, my heart heavy with disappointment. His arm was wrapped firmly around Annabel's waist.

They looked like the perfect couple.

I suppose a childhood bond can't compete with a 'destined' first love. Twenty years of history meant nothing compared to her.

But if he loved her so much, why was he even with me?

The question burned in my throat. "Why..."

Before I could finish, Hayden cut me off with an impatient groan.

His voice was like ice. "If you don't apologize to Annabel on that stage right now, we're over."

"If it doesn't belong to you, why won't you give it back? Joanie, don't be so selfish."

I nodded slowly, my fingers relaxing around the flash drive.

He was right. It was time to give everything back.

I turned around and walked onto the stage, handing the flash drive to the technician in charge of the big screen.

Then, I grabbed the microphone. "Teachers, students, before the ceremony begins, please allow me to settle a personal matter."

"I am here to report Annabel Reed for plagiarizing my research and for framing me for her own theft."