Chapter 3

3

After the party, I stayed to help Lily clean up.

By the time we finished, it was past 3:00 AM.

"Time flies. It's already so late."

I smiled. She suddenly hopped in front of me. "Since it's this late, let's not go home yet."

Lily always had wild ideas. I looked at her, confused.

"You haven't seen the sunrise from the ridge yet, have you? It's nothing like the city."

Before I could say no, she grabbed my wrist and led me on a run through the fields.

"Justin, have you ever just run and screamed as loud as you can?"

I shook my head. My every move used to represent the Thorne family.

Even though Melody's friends hated me, I was still the man who had stood at her side at the altar.

I couldn't do anything reckless.

"Never? Oh, you're missing out. It's the best feeling. Say what I say, okay?"

I nodded.

Lily started running faster, and I pushed myself to keep up.

"I am Lily Vance!"

"I am Justin Reed!"

"I will be a great educator!"

"Starting today, I only live for myself!"

Our voices echoed through the empty valley.

Lily suddenly stopped, gasping for air. She pointed toward the horizon. "Justin, look! The sunrise!"

She cheered like a little kid.

I looked at her, my heart feeling lighter than it had in years.

Even though I hadn't slept, I felt completely refreshed.

As the sun came up, we walked slowly back toward the village.

"Are you always like this?" I asked.

"Like what?"

"So happy?"

"Yeah. I love my life. I have food and a roof. When I first got here, it was rough. That classroom didn't even have real windows."

"But then a kind businesswoman donated a ton of money. She even built us a library."

She pulled out her phone and showed me a photo of the donor.

"Look, isn't she beautiful and kind?"

Melody's face stared back at me. My smile vanished.

I suddenly remembered my mentor's two last wishes: that we get married, and that all children have access to schools.

Melody had spent years building schools to maintain her public image.

She was good to everyone in the world, it seemed. Everyone except me.

"What's wrong?" Lily asked.

"Nothing," I lied.

Lily played a video of an interview with Melody. "I wonder who the lucky guy is who got to marry her."

I stared at the screen.

Melody was dressed differently―less formal, more sensual.

I used to pick out all her outfits. Now that I was gone, I assumed the new boy was doing it.

She was changing her style for him.

It was ironic. I had spent years changing myself for her, but she only changed herself for a guy who looked like her dead ex.

The first love really is the ultimate weapon.

"We haven't seen you with your husband lately, CEO Thorne. Is it true he left home?" the interviewer asked.

The show was fishing for drama. They knew the cafe incident had leaked.

The Thorne family had paid people off, but gossip always finds a way.

Melody gave a polite, fake smile. I could see the flash of annoyance in her eyes.

"I sent him away on a business trip. He has no one else in this world but me. Where would he even go if he left?"

Her words hit like a physical blow.

I gripped the hem of my shirt.

I was an orphan. My mentor was the only father I had. Once he died, I truly was alone.

Melody was so sure I couldn't survive without her.

But this time, she was wrong.

"Let's go. I'm tired."

I didn't look at the phone again. I walked faster, and Lily chased after me.

"Are you upset about something?"

"No, just a long night."

"Justin, you know teachers study psychology, right?"

I just smiled. She told a few jokes to cheer me up and didn't push the subject.

I spent several more peaceful months in Vermont.

But my savings were running low. It was time to find a real job.

The night before I planned to leave, I cooked a huge dinner for Lily.

She loved my cooking. She always said I should be a professional chef.

I only learned to cook because of Melody.

She was so picky about food. I went to culinary school for a year just to please her.

I believed the old saying that the way to a person's heart is through their stomach.

I was wrong.

As I walked toward Lily's place to say goodbye, a car's high beams blinded me.

I stopped, and the lights flashed.

The car door opened, and a pair of long legs stepped out. My heart skipped a beat.

I turned to run, but a voice called out, "Justin! Why are you running?"

I froze in my tracks.