Chapter 1

Chloe and I had been together for seven years.

For seven years, we crammed into a tiny rental apartment, pinching pennies until we finally saved enough for the down payment on the beachfront condo we had our eyes on—our future marital home.

On the day we were supposed to sign the contract, she didn't show up.

She sent me a text, saying Ethan had been in a car accident, and she needed to be with him at the hospital. We'd sign the house papers next week.

Then she added one last line.

"Don't overthink it. I just see him as a little brother."

I stared at the screen for three minutes, then replied with just one word: "Okay."

I immediately turned around, walked into the sales office with my bank card, and paid the full amount for the condo instead of just the down payment.

The deed only had my name on it.

As I walked out of the sales office, I happened to scroll past a new post from Ethan.

He wrote:

"When I was most scared, she was the first one there. The hospital's disinfectant smell is awful, but with her here, I feel so much peace."

The accompanying picture showed Chloe leaning in to drape a jacket over him, their shoulders touching, an intimacy that was glaring.

My finger paused, then I liked the post and left a comment:

"You two look good together. She's all yours from now on."