Chapter 5

"I am so, so sorry. My buddy drank way too much tonight—he just went through a brutal breakup."

"Here's my card. If you need anything, reach out to me directly."

A man stepped in, handing me a pack of wet wipes, a tailored suit jacket, and a sleek business card.

I glanced down at it: [Apex Fitness — Founder & Head Trainer: Ethan Sterling].

Before I could even decline the jacket, he had already slung his drunken friend over his shoulder and rushed out.

He had striking hazel-amber eyes, features balanced with crisp, masculine symmetry, and a quiet, magnetic presence that set him apart from the crowd.

Having this disaster dropped in my lap completely killed my mood.

I cleaned myself up as best I could in the restroom, threw his jacket over my shoulders, and headed out early.

"Hailey, I'm not feeling great so I'm heading home first. Don't stay out too late, okay?"

The suit jacket carried a faint, crisp cedarwood scent. The handsome stranger clearly took meticulous care of himself.

Two days later.

Holding the dry-cleaned jacket, I dropped by Ethan Sterling's fitness center.

"I want to apologize again on behalf of my friend. How much did your outfit cost? Let me reimburse you."

Ethan insisted on getting my contact info so he could send over the money.

The gym floor was bustling with people, and plenty of them turned their heads to watch us.

Not wanting to cause a scene, I gave in and agreed. After all, making another connection never hurt, especially with a gym owner. Who knew, maybe our paths would cross professionally down the line.

I pulled up my phone to let Ethan scan my code when an unwelcome voice shattered the moment.

"Serena? It really is you!"

I had hoped to ignore her, but Felicia had already snapped a sneaky photo of us and spoken up first.

We had crossed paths before, so she knew I was Eugene's ex. She recognized my face immediately.

"Is that your new boyfriend?"

"You'd better delete that photo right now, or I'll sue you for violating my privacy."

I forced a stiff, polite smile onto my face and turned to walk away.

Felicia reached out and caught my arm.

A moment later, Eugene walked up too.

Looks like the engaged couple had planned a workout date together.

Felicia raised her voice so everyone could hear:

"Eugene, perfect timing! Look who we ran into! It's Serena—looks like she's already found herself a new boyfriend."

Give me a break.

The fake innocence made me want to gag.

"None of your damn business. Let go of me." My smile vanished, replaced by a freezing glare.

Eugene's expression shifted subtly.

He stepped closer, asking in a flat, hollow tone, "Is that true? A new boyfriend?"

I deliberately ignored his question, offering him an icy roll of my eyes instead.

"Too scared to admit it? Probably lined him up before you even walked out," Felicia chimed in, gleefully stoking the flames.

"Who do you think you are? Do I owe you an explanation of my private life?" I lifted my chin, staring right through Eugene.

Ridiculous. The second we crossed paths, they started turning the tables on me.

Is this the kind of sick game rich folks play for fun?

"No wonder you threw a tantrum and dumped me so suddenly. You had another sucker waiting on the bench the whole time."

Eugene sneered sarcastically.

As he said that, even Felicia's face hardened, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"What if I did? What if I didn't? You're a two-timing cheat—what right do you have to judge me?"

I glared at him with everything I had in me.

Eugene clenched his fists, his mouth parting slightly before he choked down whatever words were on his tongue.

"Get this through your head: we are over."

Hearing those words, Eugene's eyes rimmed with red, a visible tremor catching the corner of his mouth.

I shoved past him and walked away.

Behind me came a muffled, familiar hitch in someone's breath.