Chapter 1
Three years ago, Edward drugged me, stole my case, and made his beloved Emily the star.
Three years later, he returned with his fiancée and, right in front of everyone, pressed an engagement invitation into my hand.
"Once I make partner, maybe I'll consider letting you be my assistant," Edward said.
I didn't say a word.
Because in that billionaire's divorce case, the lawyer sitting across from him was me.
*****
Three years after we broke up, Edward finally came back home with his precious Emily.
I learned about it at a class reunion.
Actually, it wasn't just hearing the news.
I was forced to witness it all up close.
When the private room door swung open, everyone's eyes locked onto the entrance.
Edward stood tall in a dark gray suit, his left arm wrapped around Emily's waist, a glass of red wine in his right hand, his smile smooth and polished.
Three years apart, and he was even more convincing at playing the perfect gentleman.
Emily held onto his arm, dressed in a custom Chanel dress, her chin slightly raised. Her gaze swept the room and landed right on my face.
She paused for two seconds.
Then, a smirk curled at her lips.
Emily said, "Samantha's here too."
I just sat there, holding my juice, unmoving.
My old classmate Lily Carter leaned in, all excited, and patted Edward on the shoulder. "Edward! When you left, you said if Samantha wasn't married in three years, you'd come back for her. So, is this you making good on your promise?"
Everyone burst out laughing.
I was just about to clear things up.
But Edward just tightened his grip on Emily's hand.
He shot me a look, his eyes full of that condescending pity.
Then he turned to everyone with a smile. "Let me show you something."
He pulled out a stack of gold-embossed invitations from his suit pocket.
"Emily and I are getting engaged next month. Everyone's invited," he said.
He handed out the invitations one by one.
When he got to me, he paused for a moment.
Emily reached out and slipped the invitation into my palm.
Her fingertips lingered, like she was making sure I wasn't shaking.
She leaned in, her voice just loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.
She said, "Samantha, don't get ahead of yourself.
"Edward came back for two reasons: to get engaged to me, and to take on the billionaire's only son, Henry's divorce case.
"Once the case is over, I'll be appointed as special counsel for the International Arbitration Tribunal."
She paused, her eyes full of smug satisfaction.
She added, "I know you've been waiting for him for three years. Sorry, but he belongs to me now."
The room went quiet for a moment.
Someone coughed awkwardly.
People kept sneaking looks at my face.
I just stared down at the gold-embossed invitation in my hand, saying nothing.
Edward let out a sigh and walked over to me, lowering his voice.
He said, "Samantha, back then, I drugged you and stole your case for Emily so she wouldn't get fired. Yeah, that was on me."
His tone was almost generous, like he was doing me a favor.
He added, "Maybe I'll let you be my assistant when I make partner."
I looked up at him.
There was no guilt in his eyes.
Just that patronizing look, like he was tossing me a bone.
Three years. That was how long it had been.
He still thought I was that same Samantha he'd ruined, stuck in a tiny law office, handling nothing but car accident claims.