Chapter 1 · He Proposed To My Best Friend

For ten years, I kept my relationship secret because of the strict no-office-romance policy.

During those ten years, I supported my boyfriend through his darkest times, cared for his sick parents, and even got pregnant with his child.

Our 10th anniversary fell on the day of the company's offsite retreat.

Out of nowhere, my usually quiet boyfriend announced he was going to propose to his beloved girlfriend in front of everyone.

Everyone instantly turned to look at me, their faces full of surprise and envy.

I was on the verge of happy tears when my boyfriend dropped to one knee with the ring—not in front of me, but my best friend.

*****

When Ethan Brooks knelt down and held out the diamond ring to Jenny Charles, every pair of eyes in the room shifted to me.

The warmth that had flooded my chest seconds earlier drained away, leaving me hollow and cold.

My colleagues' shocked whispers hit me from all sides.

"Wait, wasn't Ethan's secret girlfriend supposed to be Lily?"

"That's what I thought. How is it Jenny?"

"Oh my god, we've been sipping the wrong tea this whole time!"

"This is so awkward..."

Awkward?

I hid my trembling fingers inside my sleeves.

The one who should be embarrassed wasn't them—but me.

Those years of rumors were right. I really had been Ethan's girlfriend for ten years.

Ethan and I started dating in college. He was the computer science heartthrob, and I was the most popular girl in finance.

We were legendary—the perfect couple in everyone's eyes.

That summer night outside the dorms, the air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers.

When Ethan cupped my face and kissed me, it felt like my youth finally found its pulse.

That was my first kiss. My first love.

After graduation, we applied to the same company and got hired together.

And now, it had been exactly ten years.

Today was supposed to be our tenth anniversary.

But because of the no-office-romance policy, I kept our relationship hidden without a second thought.

Even though we couldn't hold hands in public or steal kisses at work, I never resented it. Not once in those ten years.

When his career hit rock bottom, I stayed by his side and helped him rebuild.

When his father fell seriously ill, I spent sleepless nights at the hospital taking care of him.

Two weeks ago, I started feeling sick and out of breath. At the hospital, the doctor told me I was pregnant.

I was carrying his child.

Maybe fate wasn't so cruel after all. Just last week, the new CEO arrived and immediately lifted the ban on office relationships.

So when Ethan pulled out that ring, my heart nearly burst.

I thought our decade-long journey had found its home. I thought my devotion had been worth it. I thought my bare finger, after ten years, would at last be crowned.

But as tears welled up in my eyes and "yes" formed on my lips, Ethan walked right past me and knelt in front of my best friend, Jenny.

The man I'd stood by for ten years, the one I'd given everything to, now only had eyes for Jenny, declaring his love in front of everyone.

"Jenny, you've been with me through it all. You've sacrificed so much for me, and I know how hard it's been.

"Every time I think about how you couldn't walk beside me openly, it tears me apart inside.

"Now, I've finally worked up the courage to kneel down and ask you this.

"Jenny, will you marry me? Will you stand by me through rich and poor, success and failure—will you stay with me and never let go?"

Those words sounded painfully familiar.

There was a time when he held me close and made promises that felt eternal.

"Lily, I know what you've sacrificed for me. I've seen everything you've done over these ten years.

"Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today.

"You made me into the man I am. You believed in me when no one else did. And I swear, the moment I can, I'll tell the whole world about us. I'll make sure you stay by my side forever.

"You're the only woman I'll ever marry. We'll never be apart."

But now, the person he claimed had been by his side all these years was Jenny—the one who'd only ever watched from the sidelines.

And Jenny, my so-called best friend who'd witnessed me give Ethan everything, was nodding through her tears, moved by his words.

She held out her hand and let Ethan slide the ring onto her finger.

They hugged. They kissed. Everyone around them cheered and clapped, congratulating the happy couple.

It was as if Lily Carter had never existed at all.

Chapter 1

For ten years, I kept my relationship secret because of the strict no-office-romance policy.

During those ten years, I supported my boyfriend through his darkest times, cared for his sick parents, and even got pregnant with his child.

Our 10th anniversary fell on the day of the company's offsite retreat.

Out of nowhere, my usually quiet boyfriend announced he was going to propose to his beloved girlfriend in front of everyone.

Everyone instantly turned to look at me, their faces full of surprise and envy.

I was on the verge of happy tears when my boyfriend dropped to one knee with the ring—not in front of me, but my best friend.

*****

When Ethan Brooks knelt down and held out the diamond ring to Jenny Charles, every pair of eyes in the room shifted to me.

The warmth that had flooded my chest seconds earlier drained away, leaving me hollow and cold.

My colleagues' shocked whispers hit me from all sides.

"Wait, wasn't Ethan's secret girlfriend supposed to be Lily?"

"That's what I thought. How is it Jenny?"

"Oh my god, we've been sipping the wrong tea this whole time!"

"This is so awkward..."

Awkward?

I hid my trembling fingers inside my sleeves.

The one who should be embarrassed wasn't them—but me.

Those years of rumors were right. I really had been Ethan's girlfriend for ten years.

Ethan and I started dating in college. He was the computer science heartthrob, and I was the most popular girl in finance.

We were legendary—the perfect couple in everyone's eyes.

That summer night outside the dorms, the air was thick with the scent of blooming flowers.

When Ethan cupped my face and kissed me, it felt like my youth finally found its pulse.

That was my first kiss. My first love.

After graduation, we applied to the same company and got hired together.

And now, it had been exactly ten years.

Today was supposed to be our tenth anniversary.

But because of the no-office-romance policy, I kept our relationship hidden without a second thought.

Even though we couldn't hold hands in public or steal kisses at work, I never resented it. Not once in those ten years.

When his career hit rock bottom, I stayed by his side and helped him rebuild.

When his father fell seriously ill, I spent sleepless nights at the hospital taking care of him.

Two weeks ago, I started feeling sick and out of breath. At the hospital, the doctor told me I was pregnant.

I was carrying his child.

Maybe fate wasn't so cruel after all. Just last week, the new CEO arrived and immediately lifted the ban on office relationships.

So when Ethan pulled out that ring, my heart nearly burst.

I thought our decade-long journey had found its home. I thought my devotion had been worth it. I thought my bare finger, after ten years, would at last be crowned.

But as tears welled up in my eyes and "yes" formed on my lips, Ethan walked right past me and knelt in front of my best friend, Jenny.

The man I'd stood by for ten years, the one I'd given everything to, now only had eyes for Jenny, declaring his love in front of everyone.

"Jenny, you've been with me through it all. You've sacrificed so much for me, and I know how hard it's been.

"Every time I think about how you couldn't walk beside me openly, it tears me apart inside.

"Now, I've finally worked up the courage to kneel down and ask you this.

"Jenny, will you marry me? Will you stand by me through rich and poor, success and failure—will you stay with me and never let go?"

Those words sounded painfully familiar.

There was a time when he held me close and made promises that felt eternal.

"Lily, I know what you've sacrificed for me. I've seen everything you've done over these ten years.

"Without you, I wouldn't be where I am today.

"You made me into the man I am. You believed in me when no one else did. And I swear, the moment I can, I'll tell the whole world about us. I'll make sure you stay by my side forever.

"You're the only woman I'll ever marry. We'll never be apart."

But now, the person he claimed had been by his side all these years was Jenny—the one who'd only ever watched from the sidelines.

And Jenny, my so-called best friend who'd witnessed me give Ethan everything, was nodding through her tears, moved by his words.

She held out her hand and let Ethan slide the ring onto her finger.

They hugged. They kissed. Everyone around them cheered and clapped, congratulating the happy couple.

It was as if Lily Carter had never existed at all.