Chapter 1

During a camping trip, my boyfriend, Alex Rivers, handed his water bottle to his childhood friend, Wanda Carter.

I didn't argue. I just calmly broke up with him.

"Just because I let her use my water bottle?" Alex asked.

"Yes," I replied.

Instead of getting angry, he smirked. "Fine, break up it is.

"Try to stick to it this time. Don't come begging me to get back together before the tent's even down."

His buddy chimed in, "Why not just swallow your pride and let it go? If you really break up, you'll regret it and cry."

Alex looked indifferent, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.

He said, "She's just bored and has nothing better to do, so she's stirring up drama for no reason.

"She even fell out with her family just to be with me and move to this city back then.

"If she can keep up this fight for two days, I'll be impressed."

Yeah, I'd loved Alex for three whole years. I once gave up everything for him.

But he'd never have a clue that we could always find another job, and we had to let go of the wrong person before it was too late.

I'd already handed in my resignation and got an offer from a new company. Once the transition was done, I'd be gone.

This time, nothing could change my mind.

Alex was probably pissed that I broke up with him in front of everyone and made him lose face. He left the campsite without even looking back.

Seeing his car keys left behind on the seat, I sighed and bent down to pick them up.

I found the campsite owner and asked him to hand the keys to Alex.

But he glanced over my shoulder and said, "Aren't they right over there? Why not just give them to him yourself?"

I followed his gaze and saw Alex sitting with a few friends, cigarette in hand, laughing and chatting like nothing had happened.

"Regina looks really serious this time, Alex. Don't take it lightly. Girls like her—beautiful, devoted, and from a wealthy family—are rare. If you let her slip away, you won't get another chance like this," one said.

"Yeah, just give in. Don't wait until she's completely done with you. By then, you'll be kicking yourself," another chimed in.

Alex fiddled with his lighter, shrugged and raised an eyebrow. "Trust me, I know her inside out.

"She even fell out with her family just to be with me and move to this city back then.

"Honestly, I bet she won't be able to resist making up with me by tomorrow at the latest."

Wanda, sitting next to Alex, casually snatched his lighter and grinned. "Who would've thought you actually understand women? So why are you always shouting at me?"

The whole crowd burst out laughing.

"But it's not good if you guys keep breaking up like this. Seriously, how many times has it been now?" one joked.

"So this time, I'm definitely not going to be the first to give in," Alex replied.

He leaned back, his voice airy and unconcerned. "She's just some pampered rich girl, always had everything handed to her.

"She needs a wake-up call this time. Let's see if she still has the guts to talk about breaking up so casually.

"Besides, with a girlfriend this compliant, why would I ever really dump her? I'm just teasing her a bit. You can tell she's been acting all anxious lately.

"Wanda forgot her water bottle, so I just lent her mine. Is that really worth making such a big deal out of it?"

One of his buddies cut in, "Maybe Regina thinks there's something going on between you two.

"Regina's used to being your number one. Now that your childhood friend suddenly pops up and grabs your attention, it's no surprise she's not taking it well.

"Wanda's got it all—looks, body, the whole package. It's normal for Regina to feel a little threatened."

Wanda snorted and threw her arm around Alex's shoulder. "Seriously, we're as close as it gets—just pure friendship, nothing else. If anything was ever gonna happen between us, it would've happened way before.

"But hey, if this is making things awkward for you, just say the word and I'll back off. I won't mess things up for you guys."

"Come on, don't be ridiculous," Alex frowned. "Friends are friends, girlfriends are girlfriends. She can't control who I'm friends with.

"Don't worry. I'll talk to Regina later and make things clear. If she even tries to disagree, there's no way we're getting back together.

"A girl who ran away from home just to be with me? Trust me, I know exactly how to handle her."

After hearing all that, I really didn't want to listen anymore.

I told the campsite owner to make sure Alex got his car keys, then turned and left the campsite.