Chapter 1

The pulsing lights of KeyArena washed over me in waves of blue and purple as I adjusted the hem of my dress for the tenth time. I'd chosen the soft blue fabric specifically for tonight—Connor once mentioned it brought out my eyes. Seven years together, and tonight felt different. Special. The promise ring on my finger caught the light, and I twisted it nervously, a habit I'd developed since he'd given it to me three years ago.

"Stop fidgeting," Connor said, his eyes scanning the crowd rather than looking at me. "You look fine."

Fine. Not beautiful or stunning—just fine. I pushed away the small sting and smiled anyway. "I'm just excited. This is their farewell tour, and we have such amazing seats."

Connor nodded absently, checking his phone for the third time since we'd sat down. His dark hair was perfectly styled, his jawline sharp in the dramatic lighting. Even distracted, he looked like he belonged on a billboard. I often wondered what someone like him saw in someone like me.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, placing my hand on his arm.

"Yeah, just work." He slipped the phone back into his pocket and finally looked at me, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "Ready for a night to remember?"

My heart fluttered. Was that a hint? I'd been waiting for this proposal for so long, had imagined a thousand ways it might happen. A concert for my favorite band seemed perfectly romantic.

"Absolutely," I whispered, squeezing his hand.

The crowd roared as the band took the stage, and I lost myself in the music, singing along to every word. Connor seemed to relax beside me, his arm casually draped over my shoulder. During the third song, he excused himself, and I assumed he was heading to the restroom. The familiar chords of "Forever Yours"—the band's most iconic love song—began to play, and my pulse quickened. This was it. This had to be it.

The lead singer paused mid-chorus, a spotlight suddenly sweeping through the crowd. "We have something special happening tonight, Seattle!"

My breath caught in my throat as the spotlight settled on the aisle near our row. Connor stood there, bathed in light, a small box in his hand. The crowd hushed in anticipation, and tears sprang to my eyes. Seven years of dreams crystallizing in this perfect moment.

But Connor wasn't looking at me.

He was looking past me, his hand extended toward a stunning woman with cascading dark hair who stood up three seats away. Victoria Sterling. I recognized her from Connor's social media—his childhood friend who'd been studying in London.

"Victoria," Connor's voice boomed through the arena as someone handed him a microphone. "We've waited long enough. Will you marry me?"

The box opened to reveal a massive Tiffany diamond that caught the light like a small sun. The promise ring on my finger suddenly felt like a child's toy in comparison.

The crowd erupted in cheers as Victoria gasped and nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Yes! Of course, yes!"

The proposal flashed across the giant screens, their embrace magnified for everyone to see. I sat frozen, unable to process what was happening. This couldn't be real. This had to be a nightmare.

But it wasn't.

As Victoria slipped the diamond onto her finger, Connor's eyes briefly met mine. There was no apology there, no regret—just the cold acknowledgment that I had been nothing more than a placeholder.

I stumbled to my feet, pushing past knees and feet, desperate to escape. The music continued, the happy couple now being congratulated by strangers, while I fled toward the restrooms, vision blurred by tears.

Locking myself in a stall, I pressed my hands against my mouth to stifle the sobs that threatened to tear me apart. Seven years. Seven years of my life given to a man who could discard me so publicly, so cruelly.

When I finally emerged, I caught sight of myself in the mirror—mascara streaked down my cheeks, eyes red and swollen. In a sudden burst of rage, I slammed my fist against my reflection, not hard enough to break the glass but enough to send pain shooting up my arm.

"Seven years," I whispered to my fractured image. "Seven years for nothing."

I stumbled out of the arena, the cool Seattle air hitting my tear-stained face. The parking lot was half-empty, most people still inside enjoying the concert. I spotted Connor's black SUV and headed toward it, needing answers, needing something to make sense of this nightmare.

He was already there, leaning against the driver's side door, Victoria nowhere in sight. When he saw me approaching, his expression hardened.

"Rachel," he said, my name sounding foreign on his lips. "I was wondering when you'd show up."