Chapter 2

The suitcase is heavy.

I drag it to the front door.

The moment I step outside, a gust of wind slams the door shut behind me.

Ryan hears it from upstairs and texts me right away.

[Slamming the door that hard just to make sure I hear you?]

[Celia, this is getting old. If you think I’m gonna come running after you, you’re wrong.]

[Let’s see how many days you last on your own.]

I don’t know when the man I once loved became someone I can barely stand.

Instead of replying, I block his number.

I glance back at the mansion one last time and almost laugh.

All the money and praise must’ve made Ryan forget who he used to be.

When we met ten years ago, he was a broke kid who’d grown up in foster care.

He had no family money, no connections, and a mountain of student loans.

No matter how hard he worked, no one with real money would give him a chance.

I gave up a research job that would’ve kept sponsoring my work visa and poured every dollar of the inheritance my parents left me into his company.

I also developed its first product and the core technology it still depends on.

Ryan Foster wouldn’t be where he is today without me.

It’s freezing out, and the late-fall wind cuts right through my clothes.

It’s hard to get a rideshare this far inside the gated community, so I drag my suitcase toward the main road.

About fifteen minutes later, a red Maserati speeds past me.

Its tires hit a puddle and send muddy water all over me.

Before I can react, the Maserati backs up and stops beside me.

The driver’s window rolls down.

Maren is behind the wheel, her makeup perfect as always.

Ryan started changing about six months ago, right after Maren showed up.

She was the new intern at his company.

One afternoon, I brought Ryan lunch like I always did and caught him with his arms around her.

He let go of her right away.

“She lost her balance. I couldn’t just let her fall.”

I glared at him.

“There’s a big difference between catching someone and holding her in your arms.”

Maren teared up instantly.

“I’m sorry, Celia. This is all my fault. If I hadn’t tripped, you wouldn’t have gotten the wrong idea about Ryan.”

“Please don’t fight because of me.”

That was enough to set Ryan off.

“What the hell are you accusing me of?”

“That was completely innocent. You didn’t grow up in the States, so maybe you’re reading too much into it. I’m not gonna hold that against you.”

“But don’t come back to the office. I’m not gonna let you cause a scene over every little thing and make everyone uncomfortable again.”

After that, I wasn’t even allowed inside the company.

Security stopped me at the entrance every time.

And whenever I showed even a hint of annoyance about Maren, Ryan would shut me out for days.

In the end, I was always the one who gave in first.

“Celia? Wow, it really is you.”

Maren looks me up and down, openly smirking.

“I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Her eyes drop to my mud-soaked clothes, and she covers her mouth in fake surprise.

“Oh my God. I got your clothes filthy.”

“Ryan just bought me this car, and I’m still getting used to it. You’re not mad, right?”

She runs a hand over the steering wheel and grins.

“Maybe I’ll mention it to Ryan. He can buy you ten new outfits.”

It sounds like an apology, but there isn’t a trace of guilt on her face.

And that last line is a flat-out taunt.

I’m done with Ryan, and I’m not about to let Maren walk all over me.

I stare her down.

“You’re the one who ruined my clothes. Why should Ryan pay for them?”

“What are you to him, exactly?”