Chapter 1

1

My best friend was drunk and asked me to pick her up.

I never expected to see her pinned against the wall of the VIP lounge, locked in a heated kiss with my boyfriend.

My friend leaned into his chest and whispered, "Do you really love Lyra Vance?"

He chuckled, his voice dripping with disdain. "How could I? I only dated her to get your attention."

I turned away, my heart feeling like it had been shredded. I pulled out my phone and sent him a breakup text.

After that night, I vanished from their lives completely.

But later, they were the ones who came crawling back, begging for my forgiveness.

...

My best friend, Mila Thorne, called me sounding completely wasted. She begged me to come and get her.

I heard the heavy bass of music in the background and her slurred voice. I was worried she might be in danger, so I grabbed my coat and hailed a cab to the bar immediately.

When I reached the door of the private suite, I noticed it was slightly ajar.

I was about to push it open when I froze. A man was sitting on the center of the plush sofa, his profile looking exactly like my boyfriend, Mason Hayes.

A woman was straddling his lap, her silhouette unmistakable. It was Mila.

The lighting was dim, making everything look like a blurry, dark dream.

I stepped back into the shadows and watched through the narrow crack in the door.

The scene inside was enough to make anyone's blood boil.

They were lost in a passionate, desperate kiss. It was intense and sickeningly familiar.

At that moment, the light shifted, and I saw them clearly. It really was Mason and my so-called best friend, Mila.

My heart skipped a beat before it began to thrum painfully against my ribs. I couldn't believe my eyes.

They always pretended to hate each other. How could they be having an affair behind my back?

Wait. Did Mila call me here on purpose just so I would witness this?

I took a step back and dialed Mason's number.

I watched him through the crack. He glanced at his phone, and his brow furrowed in irritation when he saw my name.

Mila wrapped her arms around his neck and peeked at the screen. She smirked. "Lyra is calling. Aren't you going to pick up?"

Mason told her to be quiet. Then, he pressed the answer button, his voice sounding sharp and cold. "Hello."

I gripped my phone, trying to keep my hand from shaking. I forced my voice to stay level. "Mason, where are you?"

He leaned forward and planted a kiss on Mila's jaw before answering. "I'm at a business dinner. I'll be home late tonight."

The lie hit me like a physical blow. My eyes welled up with hot, stinging tears.

I covered my mouth to stifle a sob. After a few seconds, I managed to whisper, "Okay. Don't drink too much."

He gave a curt hum and hung up immediately.

He tossed the phone aside and pulled Mila back into his arms, resuming their frantic kissing.

My hand dropped to my side. My phone slipped from my fingers and hit the carpeted floor with a dull thud.

I stared blankly at the wall, my legs feeling like lead. I had to lean against the corner of the hallway to keep from collapsing.

Then, I heard Mila's voice again from inside the room. "Mason, do you actually love Lyra?"

I strained my ears, desperate for his answer, even though I knew it would hurt.

His response felt like a one-way ticket to hell.

He sounded almost mocking. "Not a chance. I only used her to make you jealous."

So, that was the truth.

Mason had pursued me just to get Mila's attention.

I picked up my phone with trembling hands and opened our chat history.

My vision was so blurred by tears that I could barely see the keyboard.

I could still see the last message he sent me.

"I love you so much, Lyra."

Looking at it now, those words felt like a cruel joke.