Chapter 2

2

Seeing the tension escalate, two classmates rushed over to step between us.

"Hey, what's going on here? Why are you two fighting again?"

"Clayton, you should cut Janelle some slack. Aren't you worried about breaking her heart?"

"And Janelle, Clayton has treated you like royalty all these years. Tone down your temper and give the guy some respect."

Janelle shoved their hands away, pointing her long acrylic nails right at my face.

"Clayton, this was your plan all along, wasn't it? Making a scene at the reunion just to guilt-trip me into saying yes!"

"Janelle," I cut in coldly. "If I remember correctly, we broke up six months ago."

Her face drained of color as the memory of her own words from six months ago hit her.

I had broken up with her half a year ago, clean and clear.

A few of her close friends at the table already knew bits and pieces of the truth.

Six months ago, Janelle had gone to a VIP lounge with a young boy-toy and her friends, crossing paths with me by accident.

I was hosting a business dinner when my client suddenly pointed behind me.

"Hey Clayton, isn't that your girlfriend?"

I turned around just in time to see Janelle laughing in a young man's embrace.

They were heading toward a private booth, hands all over each other.

Just that morning, she had complained about me coming home smelling like alcohol after networking dinners.

Yet only hours later, she was doing the exact same thing, bold and shameless.

I swallowed the rage burning in my chest, forced a stiff smile, and excused myself.

"You must be mistaken. She's visiting family out of town. Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."