Chapter 1

Xander and I had been in a secret relationship for years. He promised he would propose to me during his seven-year anniversary concert.

With only fifteen minutes left before the show started, my boyfriend suddenly turned to me with a frown.

"Sutton, this tie doesn't look right," he said. "Go find one that matches the fan-support color. It needs to be purple."

I rushed to the backstage area and searched through every dressing room before I finally found the right shade.

When I tried to return to the main hall, a group of girls blocked my way.

"Xander is proposing right now," one of them sneered. "What kind of trouble are you trying to cause by barging in?"

I felt like I had been struck by lightning. I was right here, so who exactly was the woman he was proposing to?

I fought my way through the crowd and caught a glimpse of the stage.

My heart shattered. Xander was down on one knee, sliding the diamond ring that was meant for me onto the finger of his first love.

1

I clutched the tie in my hand, desperately trying to explain myself to the people guarding the door.

"I'm just here to give Xander his tie," I pleaded. "Please, just let me through!"

As I tried to push forward, a security guard shoved me back.

The girl leading the group glared at me. Her name was Jasmine, one of Xander's most obsessive top fans.

"I'm Serena's best friend and a huge fan of Xander," she barked. "No one is going to ruin the happiest moment of their lives."

She looked me up and down with disgust. "Look at you, wearing a white gown like you're trying to steal the spotlight. You think Xander would ever look at someone like you?"

"I'm Xander's girlfriend," I said, my voice trembling but sincere. "Today was supposed to be the day he proposed to me. Can you please just let me in?"

I knew Jasmine was a powerful figure in the fandom. I didn't want to make an enemy of her, so I kept my tone soft.

I expected her to listen to reason. Instead, she grabbed my shoulder and threw me to the ground.

"Every delusional woman thinks she can marry our idol these days," she laughed. "Xander and Serena are the only couple I support. No one comes between them!"

The clock was ticking toward the time we had agreed on. Panic started to set in.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled through the gallery to show her the photos.

"Look, these are private photos of Xander at home," I told her. "I've lived with him for years. I am his girlfriend."

"Xander promised me a surprise today. There is no way he's actually with Serena."

Jasmine snatched the phone from my hand. As she saw the intimate photos of Xander's daily life, her face turned red with rage.

"You shameless stalker!" she screamed. "You've been taking secret photos of Xander this whole time?"

"You're trying to ruin his engagement to Serena. You're disgusting!"

She signaled to the two girls beside her. They pinned me to the floor, and suddenly, a rain of slaps began to fall on my face.

"Sutton, Xander isn't someone you can just have," Jasmine hissed. "He and Serena are the ones truly in love!"

Ignoring the stinging pain, I used every bit of strength I had to push them off and ran toward the double doors.

"It's not possible," I whispered to myself. "He told me this morning that today would be an unforgettable surprise."

I tried to convince myself that Jasmine was just a delusional fan. I refused to believe her words.

But just as I reached for the handle, Jasmine blocked me again.

"Do you have no shame?" she asked. "The proposal is starting. Stop dreaming."

The three of them tackled me again. They began to kick and punch me while I was down.

Within minutes, my body was covered in bruises and my dress was ruined.

"If anyone tries to ruin this for Xander and Serena, I'll make sure they regret it," Jasmine threatened.

She grabbed my hair and slammed my head against the floor until her own arm grew tired.

"Let me in," I choked out. "I need to hear the truth from him!"

Jasmine let out a cold laugh. She gripped my hair and dragged me toward a small crack in the door.

"Fine. See for yourself," she sneered. "They were made for each other."

Inside, the spotlights were centered on the middle of the stage. A woman in a flowing white dress was walking slowly toward Xander.

She wore a delicate veil, hiding her face from the audience.

But I knew that silhouette. It was Serena.

Why was she standing where I was supposed to be?

I tried to lung forward, but Jasmine pulled me back and threw me into the hallway.

"Stop fighting it," she said. "Xander and Serena are soulmates."

She ordered the security guards to keep me out before she and her friends slipped back inside.

I sat on the cold floor, staring blankly at the wall.

Today was supposed to be the dream I had waited for all my life.