Chapter 1

My boyfriend of ten years, Jaxen, promised he would marry me once he won the world championship.

But when he finally stood on that podium, he got down on one knee for another woman.

I stood there, eyes burning, asking him why.

He didn't even look guilty.

"Liana's only dream since we were kids was to have a grand proposal. I'm her brother―what's wrong with making her dream come true? Don't be so selfish, Lyra."

I couldn't let it go. That night, I posted the entire ten-year history of our relationship on social media.

Liana was dragged through the mud. Two days later, unable to handle the online hate, she ended her own life with a handful of pills.

Everyone thought Jaxen would hate me forever.

Instead, he looked at me with deep affection and said, "Lyra, I've realized I was wrong. I want to give you the most magnificent wedding to make up for the last decade."

I was overjoyed. I thought he had finally come back to me.

But on our wedding day, he stood by and watched as a dozen groomsmen tore my wedding dress to shreds.

They humiliated me while he watched with a cold, twisted smile.

Even my seventy-year-old Nana, who rushed in to save me, wasn't spared from their cruelty.

As I begged for mercy in the dirt, Jaxen leaned down and whispered, "This is the price you pay for hounding Liana to death."

I died with a heart full of hatred.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the awards ceremony.

This time, I'm going to let them have each other.

01

"Marry him! Marry him!"

The applause crashed over the crowd like waves, mixed with screams and cheers.

Jaxen was on one knee, his hand holding the diamond ring trembling slightly.

Liana stood beside him, covering her mouth as tears streamed down her face. "Yes! A thousand times yes!"

The next second, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

It wasn't a shy peck. It was a bold, tongue-involved display of passion in front of thousands.

I stood backstage, my earpiece still playing the voice note he sent me yesterday.

"Once I win, we'll go public, okay? Just wait for me."

In my past life, I broke down the moment I saw this. I ran out to confront him.

He hadn't felt an ounce of regret back then.

"You know I've always looked out for Liana. She was shaking with a fever in her hospital bed, crying about wanting a proposal. I couldn't just ignore her."

"Our thing can wait. We'll talk after she's recovered."

I had asked him, trembling, how long I'd have to wait.

He had just given me a freezing look.

"Can't you stand to see her happy for once? Why are you so petty, Lyra?"

He kicked me out of his life that day, leaving me to watch their romance play out on every screen.

I was stubborn. I exposed him, and it cost me my life and my Nana's life.

This time, I just stood there and clapped. My face was a mask of stone.

The victory party was held at Jaxen's private club in the hills.

He called me and told me to bring more wine. When I arrived, Liana was straddling his lap, her face flushed.

He beckoned me over without letting go of her waist.

"Lyra, about what happened on stage... you understand, right? Liana and I grew up together. This was her dream. As her older brother, I had to step up."

I looked him straight in the eye. "No need to explain. I totally get it."

He blinked, clearly stunned by my reaction. Then he smirked. "I knew you'd understand."

"We've been together ten years. Another year or two won't hurt. Let her live her fantasy... after that, we'll go back to how things were. Got it?"

I raised my glass and tapped it against his. "Whatever you say."

He seemed a bit unsettled by how easily I'd given in.

The old Lyra was a needy, insecure mess. This version of me was a stranger to him.

When the party reached its peak, Liana walked over with a glass, a sweet smile plastered on her face.

"Lyra, this one's for you. Jaxen couldn't have won this trophy without your hard work."

I didn't move. My voice was flat.

"My stomach is acting up. I'm not drinking."

Liana pouted. "It's not strong at all! I just had some, it's super sweet."

I still didn't reach for the glass.

The air in the room turned cold. The music seemed to fade into an awkward silence.

Jaxen chuckled darkly and grabbed the glass himself.

"Stomach issues?"

He leaned into my ear, his voice a low growl.

"You've spent ten years taking care of me. Sleeping with me, running my errands, following me to every race. You were always so good at it. Now you're too good to have a drink with us?"

"Drink up, Lyra." He grabbed my chin.

He forced the alcohol into my mouth, his lips curled in a cruel smile.

"Be a good girl. You know I like it when you're obedient."

I couldn't blow my cover yet. Not until Nana and I were safely across the border.

I didn't fight him. I let the burning liquid slide down my throat.

My stomach cramped instantly.

I pushed past him and bolted for the bathroom. I didn't even close the door before I was on my knees, vomiting into the sink.

Tears blurred my vision as the acid burned my throat.

Behind me, I could hear the roar of laughter from the main room.

"Jaxen, you really know how to handle her."

Jaxen leaned back in his chair, lighting a cigarette. "She's always been like this."

"Her best quality is being submissive. She's been following me around since we were kids. She's addicted to me."

"Sometimes she acts out just to get my attention. She'll never actually leave."

I stayed on the floor, my stomach throbbing.

A notification buzzed in my pocket. It was a message from the travel agency.

Our visas were approved.

Three days.

In three days, I would take Nana and leave this hellhole forever.

I wiped my face and forced myself to follow them to the hot spring resort for the after-party.