Chapter 1

After the real heiress, Lexie Moreno, returned, she took my place and became Benedict Carter's fiancée.

Benedict agreed right away, like it was no big deal.

But then he turned to Lexie, looking aggrieved and needy.

He said, "When I was eighteen, some bad girl took my virginity. I'm not pure now. Will you still take me?"

I slipped and almost dropped onto the floor right then and there.

The "bad girl" he was talking about turned out to be me.

*****

When the engagement got switched up, everyone was fine with it.

I stood up, ready to grab my luggage and head back to my real parents.

But as I took a step, I heard Benedict say, "When I was eighteen, some bad girl took my virginity. I'm not pure now. Will you still take me?"

My heart clenched, and my foot slipped. I totally fell.

And of course, I ended up right in Benedict's arms.

He instinctively pulled me into his embrace.

Everyone stared at us, jaws dropped, like they were about to see through us.

"You two seem like a good match. Maybe you should go through with the engagement," Lexie said thoughtfully.

I struggled to my feet, my mind buzzing, feeling embarrassed and guilty.

For so many years, I took Lexie's spot.

Benedict was never mine.

I was about to speak when I saw Benedict watching me, waiting for my response.

I paused for a moment. "That's not necessary."

I was about to keep walking when Benedict's father, David Carter, suddenly roared, "Who was that bad girl?"

His voice was so loud, and I was already feeling guilty as hell. I flinched, my legs went weak, and I collapsed onto the couch.

Benedict leaned in. "Are you okay?"

"I think I twisted my ankle. Can you help me get to my room?" I said, hoping to get Benedict alone so I could talk to him privately.

Once it was only the two of us in the room, I nervously glanced at the door, feeling guilty.

I tentatively asked, "Who are you talking about?"

"I can't remember her face, but I do remember she was pretty passionate," Benedict said, staring right at me.

Passionate, huh?

The scene from that day flashed through my mind, and I nearly sputtered.

But I couldn't argue back.

Benedict kept holding onto me and wouldn't let go.

"Weren't you passionate?" I couldn't help but ask.

"What do you think?" he asked me back.

I almost thought he was hinting at something, but his expression was calm. Clearly, he didn't mean anything.

Once those memories started flooding back, it was hard to stop them from coming.

That day, Benedict was passionate to the point of being clingy. We were closer than we'd ever been before.

My cheeks flushed without me realizing.

"Why are you blushing?" Benedict suddenly asked.

Hearing that, I was sure he didn't know I was the one.

"Maybe it's a bit warm in here," I said, making up an excuse.

Thinking about the past and seeing his face, I couldn't look at him for more than a second.

Every time I did, my cheeks would burn up all over again.

I urged him. "Go back and keep discussing the engagement. I'm fine."

Still, I couldn't shake the worry that they'd start talking about something they shouldn't.

So I quickly said, "I'll go with you."

Benedict shot me a look. "Oh? Are you worried about me, or nosy?"

I couldn't tell him the truth.

"I'm curious," I said.

We headed back to the living room together.

My adoptive mother, Macie, asked how I was doing, her concern hitting me right in the feels.

Even though I wasn't her real daughter, she cared about me.

As soon as Benedict walked in, David got all worked up and demanded, "Tell me, son. Who was that bad girl? I swear, I'll make her pay."

I shrank back, barely daring to breathe.

Luckily, Benedict didn't remember.

"I don't know," he said.

I finally started to relax, but then he said, "The only thing she left me was a bracelet."

My nerves shot right back up.

That day, my rose bracelet went missing, and it turned out he had it.

Luckily, I'd only bought it that day and left it in my bag. I hadn't even worn it out yet.

"Hand over the bracelet. I swear, I'll find out who that girl is," David said, looking like he was about to throw down with someone.

I felt ice run through my veins, scared stiff they'd figure it out. I couldn't listen anymore.

I jumped to my feet. "I should go."

"You're staying right here. Nobody's kicking you out," Macie said, pulling me back.

I was confused. I thought they were sending me away.

"If you go back there, you'll be stuck in a warehouse every day, doing endless chores, and your brother will take it all out on you," Lexie suddenly said.

My heart twisted.

Lexie had been dealing with that for years.

She never deserved any of that.

I felt way too guilty to stick around and was about to speak up.

Suddenly, Benedict chimed in, "Mila, since you're so desperate to get away from home, why not crash at my place for a few days?"

"I gave them money. Your birth parents agreed to let you stay here. I can't stand the thought of you going back and suffering. Stay here, okay?" Macie said gently, trying to comfort me.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

"Then you should stay at Benedict's place," Lexie said. "I kind of want some family time, Dad, Mom and me."

Benedict was already on his feet, grabbing my hand. "Let's go."

He held on so tight, like he was scared I'd bolt any second.

Benedict's mom, Lisa Carter, motioned for him to sit down. "We're not done yet. Where's that bracelet you mentioned? Let your dad check it out and see if he can figure out who it belonged to."

I froze, every muscle locked up.

I guessed I was screwed.

"Lost it," Benedict replied, so nonchalantly that it was like he didn't care. Those two words bailed me out again.