Chapter 1
I first saw Miles Foster and Rachel Simmons at my mentor's welcome dinner.
They stood right in the center of the crowd, all eyes on them. He was the definition of tall and handsome; she was stunning and elegant. Together, they looked like they were made for each other.
Miles held the microphone, his voice softer than I'd ever heard. "Thank you, everyone, for being here to witness my love for Rachel. This paper on Cas13d variant gene editing is the best gift I could give her."
The crowd erupted in applause.
I stood in the corner, my champagne glass trembling in my hand.
Every word, every piece of data in that paper was built from three years of my life, countless sleepless nights stacked one after another, all poured into it.
But the corresponding author's name wasn't mine.
It was Rachel's.
Miles swept his gaze across the room, and when it landed on me, there wasn't a hint of guilt, only a cold, warning look.
Beside him, Rachel was dressed in a custom white gown, looking every bit like a proud swan. She had her arm linked with Miles's, and when our eyes met, she gave me a triumphant smile.
My junior tugged at my sleeve, her voice full of sympathy. "Anna, it's such a shame. You were the one who built this project from the ground up."
"Seriously, everyone knows Miles has been after Rachel for seven years. That blockbuster paper is basically her ticket into St. Andrews Medical School," another junior chimed in.
"Using your hard work to pave someone else's way? That's disgusting," one of the juniors added.
I didn't say a word. I downed the champagne in one go.
The cold drink slid down my throat, but it did nothing to cool the burning in my heart.
After the dinner, I'd barely stepped out of the reception hall when Miles cornered me at the end of the hallway.
The scent of expensive cologne and alcohol clung to him, and the mix made me feel a little sick.
"Anna, I know you feel wronged about what happened today," he said, his voice dripping with patronizing sympathy.
"I don't feel wronged," I replied, locking eyes with him, my tone calm.
He looked caught off guard, like he hadn't expected that response.
In his mind, I was supposed to cry, throw a fit, and ask him why he did this to me.
"I know you've always liked me," he said, frowning, his tone growing impatient. "But you need to understand, Rachel and I are from the same world. Her family background, her connections, you'll never be able to compete with that.
"I'll make it up to you. For the next project, I'll put you down as second author. Sound fair?"
"Second author?" I laughed, like I'd heard the funniest joke in the world.
"Anna, don't forget your place," Miles snapped, his face darkening. "Without me, you wouldn't even be here. This paper is only worth something if Rachel's name is on it."
"Is that all it's worth to get Rachel a spot at St. Andrews?"
"Exactly." He didn't bother to hide it. "Rachel needs this opportunity. And you? Your job is to obey."
I stared at his face, so familiar, yet now so foreign. Seven years of memories came crashing over me.
From undergrad to PhD, I was always there for him, organizing his data, editing his papers, fixing every technical mess he made. I thought it was love, but turns out, it was only me fooling myself.
"Miles," I said, enunciating every word, "have you ever thought about what would happen if Rachel's name wasn't on that paper?"
He instantly snapped, bristling like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Anna, I'm warning you. The paper's already been submitted. If you try anything, I'll make sure you're blacklisted in this field for good."
He stepped forward, trying to grab my wrist.
I stepped back, pulling away before he could touch me.
"Oh yeah?" I lifted my chin, meeting his furious gaze. "Let's see what happens then."
With that, I turned and walked away, not sparing him another glance.