Chapter 1

1

I found a flyer for a diamond ring in Zane Sterling's pocket right after he tried to break up with me for the twenty-ninth time.

Zane didn't even blink when he saw me holding it. He just leaned back and said, "I wanted to surprise you on your birthday. But since you found it, we might as well go pick one out this weekend."

I felt like a complete idiot standing in front of that jewelry store all day Sunday. He never showed up.

On my way home, I scrolled through my phone and saw a post from his ex, Roxie Hart.

"Even though a certain someone didn't take me ring shopping, he made one for me with his own hands. I guess I can forgive him!" she wrote, captioning a photo of a delicate, handmade band.

In the past, I would have screamed at Zane. I would have begged him to stay like a pathetic loser.

But this time, I was the one who pulled the plug.

Seeing Roxie's post made me realize I was nothing but a clown in their circus.

Every time Zane tried to leave, I clung to him. I hurt myself just to get a scrap of his attention.

I acted like a beggar, pleading for a man who didn't even see me.

In that photo, the ring they made together looked like a masterpiece. It was a slap in my face.

I was hiding in the shadows, spying on my own boyfriend's happiness with another woman.

It was beyond pathetic. Why did I have to be the stepping stone for their epic romance?

Zane kept dumping me just to crawl back to Roxie. He ignored everything I did for him while I ran in circles like a fool.

I was done being the sacrificial lamb.

The next morning, I stormed into Roxie's design studio. Before anyone could react, I swung my hand and slapped her hard across the face.

The gasps from her coworkers echoed in the room.

I didn't care about the whispers. For the first time in years, I felt a rush of pure, unadulterated relief.

Roxie clutched her cheek, her eyes burning with rage. Suddenly, a pair of strong hands grabbed my arm and shoved me back.

I stumbled and slammed into a heavy wooden chair.

A sharp, biting pain shot through my back, making it hard to breathe.

When I looked up, Zane was already there, cradling Roxie's face in his hands.

His eyes were dark with a hatred so intense it felt like he wanted to rip me apart.

I finally saw it. He was capable of tenderness and worry. He just never felt those things for me.

Seeing him look at me like I was a monster made my heart turn to ice.

Before I could even open my mouth, his hand flew out. A stinging slap landed right on my jaw.

My head snapped to the side. My ears rang, and the metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

I could feel my cheek swelling instantly.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Zane roared. "Roxie never did anything to you. Why are you acting like a psycho?"

I looked at him and let out a cold, mocking laugh.

He actually hit me. He hit me in front of all these people to protect her.

He stood there like a shield, blocking me from even looking at her.

But I saw her. Over his shoulder, Roxie was smirking at me.

"Zane, we're done," I said, my voice surprisingly steady.

There was nothing left to say. I'd treat our years together like a piece of trash I finally threw away.

I wasn't going to fight for a spot in a life where I didn't belong.

I was just the temporary distraction they used to spice up their drama.

I turned to leave, but Roxie stepped out from behind him.

Zane tried to stop her, looking like he thought I might pull a knife, but she brushed him off.

She walked up to me and let out a low, sharp chuckle.

It was a direct hit to my pride. I stared at her, my eyes full of venom.

She leaned in close, so close that only I could hear her. Her words were dripping with malice.

She reached out and mockingly brushed some dust off my shoulder.

I wanted to swing again, but Zane grabbed her and pulled her away. His voice was sickeningly sweet when he spoke to her.

"She's a lunatic, Roxie. Don't go near her."

He looked at me with pure disgust, as if I were a pile of rotting garbage.

Roxie put on her best damsel-in-distress face. "It's okay, Zane. I'm sure she didn't mean it."

She glanced back at me one last time, her eyes dancing with triumph.

I stood there while the whole room whispered about me. I felt like the villain in a story where I was supposed to be the lead.