Chapter 1

On the first day of school at St. James University, Jason Rivers stood on the stage as the freshman representative and gave a speech.

The silver stud in his ear flashed sharply in the sun. There was something wild and untamed in his eyes, like the whole world ought to make way for him.

And yet in that short three-minute speech, the name 'Chloe Turner' came up dozens of times.

His lazy drawl only turned soft and serious whenever he said her name:

"Turned over a new leaf? Please. I always do whatever feels good. It's just that studying makes Chloe happy, so I gave it a shot. Then I accidentally got a perfect score."

"Why medicine? Because Chloe's mom has a chronic illness. I want to help her."

He carried himself like a reckless playboy, yet every word out of his mouth sounded heartbreakingly sincere. The girls below the stage all widened their eyes as the chatter rose like a wave.

"What kind of romance-novel plot is this? A bad boy hits the books for love, then says the girl he loves by name in front of the whole school. How can this be so romantic? I believe in love again."

"Jason Rivers is hot and responsible. That's it, he's officially my dream guy on campus."

Amid the heated buzz, Jason gave a bow and jogged off the stage.

Chloe was holding a bouquet and about to go up to him when Vivian Grant beat her to it, stepping into the crowd and smoothly joining the girls' conversation.

"Him, a campus god? You girls have no idea what a little punk he was as a kid. I even saw the scar on his butt a few days ago. It's still there."

The atmosphere went weirdly quiet for a few seconds. Before the next round of questions could explode, Jason ran over and casually slung an arm over Vivian's shoulder.

"Oh, come on. How long are you gonna keep bringing that up? You really can't stand seeing me do well, huh?"

The two of them laughed and shoved each other as they walked off together. Under the shade of a nearby tree, Chloe stood frozen while the bouquet slipped from her hands and hit the ground.

"Chloe, I basically see Vivian as one of the guys. We're just friends. Don't overthink it."

Jason's words kept echoing in Chloe's head.

Just friends?

Back then, Chloe had believed every word he said.

But later, he kept canceling dates with her to go race motorcycles with Vivian. He posted pictures with Vivian on social media and never mentioned Chloe once. He even stood up for Vivian when Vivian deliberately hid Chloe's exam pass.

He had even given Vivian the so-called couple's admission spot at St. James.

"Chloe, you don't really get how things work with old-money families. Ever since Vivian's mom died, she's been pushed around at home. This engagement is the only thing protecting her. For something this big, I have to make sure she keeps her dignity in public."

"But don't worry. I've known Vivian since we were kids. If anything was gonna happen, it would've happened already. It wouldn't start now. When it's time, just apply to any school near St. James. I'll take care of you anyway."

On the last night before college applications closed, Chloe stared at the blinking computer screen. After hesitating again and again, she finally moved the mouse and changed her top choices from schools in Capital City to universities overseas.

There were still seven days left before reporting day. She would treat those seven days as her final goodbye to Jason.

After all, without him, she would've still been trapped in the mess of her family, maybe spending her whole life being beaten by her father.

Suppressing the storm in her chest, Chloe took a cab back to the villa.

Jason had bought it so she could study in peace.

The moment she pushed open the door, memories of the two of them rushed at her.

Her trembling fingertips brushed over the yellowed pages, and her thoughts were dragged back to the summer three years ago.

To save enough money for high school tuition, Chloe had come to the Rivers family home and become Jason's tenth study companion.

Even though she'd braced herself, she had never seen anyone as wild as Jason.

He sat in the middle of shredded textbooks playing video games, spent his days hanging around bars and dance clubs, and burned through his restless youth with the roar of motorcycles.

Mrs. Rivers kept sighing as she paid off one study companion after another and sent them away.

When it was Chloe's turn, she clutched her pay and walked down the street in a daze, head lowered. A split second before a truck could hit her, a strong arm yanked her back.

A cigarette between his lips, Jason lowered his gaze and looked at her in confusion.

"You want this job that badly?"

Chloe nodded lightly.

"Fine."

Jason spat the cigarette to the ground, crushed the spark under his shoe, then grabbed her arm and led her step by step down the narrow path lit by the streetlamps.

From that day on, Jason seemed like a completely different person, putting away all his old laziness and rebellion.

He dyed his silver hair back to brown, turned down every invite from his old friends, and spent all day sitting beside Chloe with his head lowered, listening seriously while she taught him.

The day he got into a top prep school after repeating ninth grade, Chloe accepted Jason's confession.

He hired the best tutors for her, bought a house so he could study with her, paid off her debts, and covered her mother's medical bills.

She had once thought Jason was a gift from heaven after all those bitter years. She had once believed life would stay that bright and happy forever.

That was until Mrs. Grant died and Vivian returned from abroad. After Vivian was thrown out by her stepmother, Jason took her hand, walked with her into the Grant family home, and reclaimed the childhood engagement between them.

Chloe knew Jason was only helping an old friend. Not only did she not cry or make a scene, she even urged him to spend more time with Vivian.

But somewhere along the way, that friendship changed.

He got into a fight for Vivian and ended up with three broken ribs. He took care of her when she was on her period. He even called her name again and again when he was drunk.

Chloe thought, 'This is enough.'

One had to learn to accept that people changed.

Nothing lasted forever.

Her phone vibrated in her palm.

It was a call from her advisor.

Chloe pressed answer.

"I'll be there on time for enrollment. My visa's ready, and I'll be leaving the country in seven days."

The door was kicked open with a bang. Jason's unreadable gaze fell on Chloe as his voice tightened.

"Leaving the country in seven days? Where are you going?"