Chapter 1

On the day of my freshman orientation, I waited at the school gate for eight hours.

All I got was an apologetic phone call from my childhood friend.

"Mia said she wanted to go to a city by the ocean, so we switched our college plans and went to Southbridge University. Sorry, I forgot to tell you about it."

Mia Summers was the girl my family sponsored.

She's also the reason Lucas Sterling left me behind three times.

Back when we took the high school entrance exam, I waited at home like a fool until the bell rang, only to find out Lucas had already gone to the exam hall with Mia.

When we moved up to high school, I didn't realize he'd ditched the prestigious school just to stick with Mia and attend a regular one, and I only found out after the classes were assigned.

And today, we had plans to meet at Summerville University.

He still didn't show up.

On the phone, Lucas was clearly trying to please her.

"Little Fiona, once we graduate, I'll follow you wherever you go!"

Just then, the teacher at the registration desk leaned out and called, "Hey, student, it's the last minute. Are you still going to register?"

"Hey, student, it's the last minute. Are you still going to register?"

I smiled and shook my head. "No, thanks."

Then I turned and dialed my dad's number.

"Dad, I've decided. I'm going to Germany after all."

"And about the engagement with the Sterling family. Let's cancel it."

As I hung up, the registration booths were just being taken down.

The registration deadline had passed.

This time, I was the one who walked away from him.

I'm not showing up for that promise after graduation.

*****

I gave my suitcase to a freshman walking by.

It was packed with brand-new silk bedding and designer toiletries.

All of it was freshly bought, top-notch silk sheets and luxury daily essentials.

Since I won't be needing them, better not let them go to waste.

Then I bought a train ticket home, with the train leaving at 6:30.

There were still 40 minutes left, plenty of time.

I walked away.

Just as I stepped out of the school gate.

I spotted someone racing toward me, arms wide open.

Lucas called out, "Little Fiona, bet you didn't see this coming!"

It was Lucas, who was supposed to be at Southbridge University right now.

I was stunned.

An absurd idea suddenly popped into my head.

Lucas raised his brows, clearly showing off.

"Right after I finished registration this morning, I grabbed Mia and rushed straight over to see you. Pretty moved, aren't you?"

The next second, a small head popped out from behind him.

"Little Fiona."

Mia clung to Lucas's sleeve, her voice soft and timid as she called out to me.

Before I could even get a word out, Lucas was already messing with her.

Lucas grinned at Mia and teased,

"Seriously, after all these years, how are you still scared of Little Fiona? Chill, she doesn't bite."

He reached over and gave her nose a gentle flick as he said it.

But when it came to Lucas, Mia wasn't shy at all. She immediately balled up her fists, looking just like an angry little kitten.

"Luke, I told you not to touch my nose!"

Lucas couldn't help but keep messing with her, even more amused by her reaction.

I stood there, watching the two of them laugh and mess around.

Scenes like this had been on repeat all these years.

One was Mia Summers, the girl I begged my dad to help out.

The other was Lucas Sterling, my childhood friend, the one I had a childhood engagement with.

Both of them were connected to me, but somehow, I always felt like the outsider.

Back then, I didn't realize it was a kind of silent exclusion.

All I knew was that something just felt off inside.

So whenever this happened, I'd always throw a wrench in their fun, just to mess with them.

I'd toss out some snarky comments, stirring the pot for no reason.

That would leave Mia, always so soft and gentle, tearing up in frustration, and Lucas groveling, trying to calm me down and apologizing over and over, like he had no other choice.

But now, I couldn't care less. Watching them wasn't even worth a second of my attention.

I just walked straight past them without a second thought.

But before I could take two steps, Lucas, quick as ever, grabbed my arm.

Lucas grinned, "Little Fiona, I barely ever get to come here. Aren't you gonna give me the grand tour?"

"Mia's been raving about Summerville Food Avenue for days, so I had to drag this little country girl out to see what all the fuss is about."

Lucas raised his brows at me, flashing a playful smile.

"Hey, you're the local. Don't you think you should show us around a bit?"

I stopped in my tracks and turned to look at him.

Turns out, he made the trip across hundreds of miles, not for me.

Just because Mia had been craving the food here.

It had been like this for the past four years.

He'd invite me out for coffee, but honestly, it was always just so he could pick up Mia's favorite snacks along the way.

He'd take me to the mall, pretending it was to lift my spirits, but in reality, he just needed me to help choose a birthday gift for Mia.

"I'm not going."

I looked away, turned to the curb, and waited for my ride.

Lucas hesitated for a moment, then hurried after me.

"Fiona, are you mad?"

I kept scrolling through the ride-hailing app, not even bothering to respond.

He caught a glimpse of my screen and immediately frowned.

"Where are you headed? I hardly ever get a chance to come here, and now you're giving me the cold shoulder again?"

I didn't even look up. "I'm going home. You two can go have fun without me."

"Military training starts in a few days. You're really going home now?"

Lucas was stunned, but seeing how icy I still looked, irritation flared up inside him and his face clouded with annoyance.

"Fiona, you're in college now. Can you stop acting like a princess all the time? Not everyone is your servant, you know. We don't have to revolve around you!"

"Come on, Mia. If she won't go, I'll take you myself!"

Lucas turned on his heel, pissed off, and pulled Mia along as he stormed off.

But Mia stopped him.

She bit her lip, her voice barely above a whisper.

"We can't just leave Little Fiona to go home by herself. Mr. and Mrs. Grant will be upset."

Her words sounded like concern, but honestly, it just rubbed me the wrong way.

But honestly, it just rubbed me the wrong way.

I let out a cold laugh and cut her off.

"My parents would never take it out on anyone over something like this.

"Stop making things up!"