Chapter 2

I grabbed the unopened Hermes box from the table and tossed it directly into the trash can.

"Ethan, let's break up."

Ethan froze for a second, then let out a sharp sneer.

He casually wrapped his arm around the innocent-looking Lily, who was standing beside him.

"Seraphina, are you out of your mind?"

"You're breaking up with me over this minor accident? Fine. Don't regret it."

"The moment you walk out that door, even if you beg me on your knees, I won't give you a second glance."

I ignored him, turned around, and walked straight out of the studio.

Behind me, Lily's timid, trembling voice echoed:

"Ethan... did I do something wrong? Seraphina looks really mad..."

"Don't worry about her. She's just spoiled and throwing a tantrum."

Ethan's voice was cold as ice.

"Within three days, she’ll definitely come crawling back to me in tears."

Well, I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed this time.

Those three days will be used to pack my bags.

And to completely erase you from my life.

Outside, the rain was pouring.

I walked into the storm without an umbrella, letting the cold water wash away ten years of absolute absurdity.

From fourteen to twenty-four.

I had treated Ethan like my entire world.

Yet, he treated me like a stepping stone to boost Lily's ego.

Disgusting.

After blocking Ethan on Snapchat, Instagram, and every other platform, I contacted the London professor who had offered me a spot years ago.

"Professor, I’m ready to accept your offer now."

By the time I finished packing and sorting out the details, it was already past midnight.

I dragged my suitcase into the lobby of the luxury high-rise apartment near campus.

My dad had bought this place for me so I wouldn’t have to commute, but I had left it empty just to share a cramped off-campus apartment with Ethan.

As the elevator doors slid open, I noticed a man leaning against the wall of the hallway.

He was dressed in all black, casually smoking a cigarette.

The tiny, glowing ember illuminated his strikingly handsome, rebellious face.

Xavier Thorne.

He was the notorious bad boy of Easton University, and Ethan’s ultimate rival.

The chat pop-ups in my mind went absolutely wild:

[Oh my god! Why is HE here? Run, Seraphina! This guy is extremely dangerous!]

[Sera, don't be stupid! He’s a literal psycho. Ethan might be a jerk, but he would never actually hurt you. This guy is on another level!]

[It's over, it's over! Quick, call Ethan for help!]

[I heard Xavier's family has deep ties with the underground mafia. You can't mess with him. Run!]

I ignored the screaming chat boxes.

Mainly because my smart lock was acting up.

The fingerprint scanner was dead, and the keypad kept showing an error.

Just as I was about to call a 24-hour locksmith, Xavier pinched out his cigarette.

He took a few slow steps toward me, bringing with him the subtle scent of rich tobacco and fresh mint.

"Well, if it isn't the campus goddess. Did you get kicked out of your house?"

His voice was deep, laced with a teasing smirk.

I was in no mood for his games.

"Let me borrow your phone. Mine is dead."

Xavier raised an eyebrow.

Instead of reaching for his phone, he stepped closer, leaned past me, and tapped a few numbers on my lock keypad.

With a soft beep, the lock clicked open.

I froze.

Xavier leaned casually against the doorframe, his smile dangerously charming.

"I bought this entire penthouse floor. Of course I know the master backup code."

"No need to thank me, neighbor."

With that, he turned and strolled into the apartment directly opposite mine.

Leaving me standing there in utter disbelief.

Once inside, I plugged my phone into the charger.

The second the screen lit up, dozens of angry voice messages from Ethan flooded my Snapchat.

"Seraphina, you’ve got some nerve blocking me, huh?"

"Let me tell you right now, if you don't publicly apologize to Lily tomorrow, we are done!"

"Your stupid model was garbage anyway. I did you a favor by smashing it so you wouldn't embarrass yourself at the defense!"

The last message was a photo.

Ethan had taken Lily to the exclusive lounge we always frequented, throwing a massive party.

His caption read: "Celebrating being single. All drinks on me tonight."

In the corner of the photo, Lily was wearing the limited-edition designer dress Ethan had ordered for me last week, laughing like a clown.

[Aww, look! He's just trying to make you jealous! He's literally waiting by his phone for you to call!]

[Sera, just swallow your pride. That dress looks so cheap on Lily anyway. Ethan is definitely thinking about you!]

[If you go there right now and give him a kiss in front of everyone, this whole thing will be over!]

I let out a cold sneer.

Over?

Sure. Let's make it official.

I screenshotted the photo and forwarded it straight into my family's WhatsApp group.

My caption: "We broke up. From now on, the Vance family cuts all ties with the Carters."

Less than a minute later, my dad replied: "Understood."

Ethan, your golden days are officially over.