Chapter 2

Ethan and I had known each other for years.

I transferred to his high school in eleventh grade after my parents relocated for work.

The curriculum and teaching methods were different from my old school’s, so I struggled at first.

On my first day, Ethan, our class representative, showed me around.

He was handsome, polite, and from a wealthy family. He was also consistently at the top of our class.

He was the boy countless girls had a crush on.

I was no exception.

My grades dropped on my first round of tests at the new school, exactly as I’d feared.

Sometimes, you fall for someone in the smallest moments.

Whenever I got a practice question wrong, Ethan would tap my forehead with his pen.

I’d cover my forehead and complain that it hurt. He’d put on a stern face and tell me that would help me remember.

But whenever my grades improved, no matter how little, he’d have a small gift ready for me.

Once, our classmates teased him for playing favorites.

After that, he still gave me gifts, but he started giving them to other people too.

It bothered me a little, though I couldn’t exactly say so.

Graduation came quickly. I planned to tell Ethan how I felt after our last finals.

Who knew he had the same plan—and would beat me to it?

After we started dating, he made a point of explaining the gifts.

It was a bitterly cold late-fall evening. He stood between me and the wind.

“Until we were officially together, saying things that could give people the wrong idea would’ve been unfair to you.”

“I couldn’t let my feelings turn you into a target for gossip.”

When Ethan returned from his “business trip,” he brought me piles of designer jewelry and handbags.

He bought me gifts often, but he’d never been this extravagant.

I didn’t mention Miami. At first, he kept asking when I wanted to go.

But when he saw how little enthusiasm I had, he stopped bringing it up.

Eight years wasn’t something I could dismiss with a few words.

I clung to whatever hope I could find, telling myself it was only a lie and a broken promise. That didn’t necessarily mean anything.

But even as I forced myself to believe that ridiculous excuse, I couldn’t stand his touch.

My revulsion became physical. I felt sick enough to throw up, and I kept losing focus at work.

Someone knocked hard on my desk.

Natalie stood over me with her arms crossed, looking displeased.

“Ms. Parker, being Ethan’s girlfriend doesn’t mean you can act however you want at work.”

“I’ve asked you several times to bring a pot of first-flush green tea to Ethan’s office. Are you pretending you can’t hear me?”

I snapped out of my daze. “I’m sorry. I was distracted.”

“Please make yourself comfortable in his office. I’ll bring the tea right in.”

I was at work. I couldn’t let my personal feelings affect my job. A guest was still a guest.

Natalie stared hard at my face. Instead of fading, her anger seemed to grow.