Chapter 1

Ashton Vance and I had been locked in a vicious dance for six long years.

He drove my mother to a fall that left her paralyzed, and I leaked classified info, watching his empire crumble.

Everyone believed we were destined to torment each other for an eternity.

When we met again, he had already risen from the ashes, effortlessly fielding questions from reporters.

“Remember back in college, we all said we’d find love by 18, marry by 25, and have a kid before 28? Ashton, which step are you on now?”

“I’m almost engaged.”

“Wow, you’re the fastest one here then!”

I twirled the ring on my left hand. Actually, I’d completed all three steps.

The girl who walked in was Ashton’s fiancée.

She was young, beautiful, and incredibly polite.

After nodding to each of us, she settled into the seat beside Ashton.

He didn't spare her a glance, his eyes fixated on me instead.

I could feel the probing gazes from everyone around us.

A few years back, the drama between Ashton and me had been public knowledge.

I picked up my bag, ready to leave.

The two people beside me, though, clearly thought I was about to storm the stage and claw that girl’s face off.

They instinctively held me back.

I raised an eyebrow at them.

“Uh, haha, Anya, where are you going?”

“Restroom.”

“Oh, haha, okay.”

They forced out awkward laughs and sat back down.

As I left, I could still hear their hushed whispers.

“Two years, and Anya’s mellowed out a lot.”

“Seriously, she almost scared me to death. With her old temper, she would’ve totally scratched his little fiancée’s face, right?”

“Still can’t get over it after two years, huh? Saw his fiancée and had to bolt.”

“Since there’s no trouble, tell them to dismiss the security guards.”

It wasn’t until I stepped outside that I saw the two rows of bodyguards standing at the door.

They looked a little tense when they saw me.

The one in charge touched his earpiece, then led the others away.

I sat on the outdoor lawn, calling my daughter.

She was telling me a new story she’d learned that day.

Ashton’s interview also moved outside.

We always found each other in a crowd, instantly.

“Mr. Vance, what would you like to say to the person who caused your bankruptcy back then?”

He let out a light chuckle, looking at the camera.

“I saw her today. Her eyes are still as beautiful as ever. If I get the chance, I’d love to personally gouge them out and make them into a necklace for my fiancée.”

Everyone present was shocked by his words.

It was just another brutal jab, barely a ripple in the ocean of hatred we’d swam in for six years.

“Did you take any revenge back then?”

“Does crippling her mother count?”

I swirled my wine glass, watching a children's story on my phone, calmly coaxing my daughter.

My indifferent attitude clearly infuriated Ashton.

Or perhaps, between us, no reason was needed; we simply wished each other dead.

Ashton sat beside me, one finger pressing down on my phone.

He glanced at it and snickered.

“Maybe some zen meditation music would suit you better.”

Ashton turned to the person behind him, introducing her. “Willow, this is Anya, our class president from college.”

Willow Reed smiled sweetly, extending her hand to me.

“Anya, it’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Willow Reed, Ashton’s fiancée.”

Just as they were all expecting a dramatic scene from me,

I simply said, light as a feather, “Hello.”