Chapter 1

Edward Sinclair and I had been on and off for four years.

We'd fought and broken up countless times, all because Edward couldn't set boundaries with his so-called "female buddy".

Everyone thought I couldn't live without Edward, that I'd be stuck on him for life.

After all, it was plain as day how much I loved Edward.

Every time we broke up, I was always the one who swallowed my pride and reached out to him first.

"Edward, your sweetheart is back again, begging you to take her back," Chloe Rivers said, her voice full of mockery.

"Does she even realize how desperate she looks, always hanging around you like some lost puppy?" she added.

At a party with friends, Chloe casually threw her arm around Edward's neck, laughing at me.

Edward was giving me the cold shoulder for almost three months—again, all because of her.

But this time, I didn't kick up a fuss.

I just quietly fidgeted with the ring on my finger.

No one had a clue.

Three days ago, I'd just tied the knot with Edward's sworn enemy.

I was here for someone else.

*****

Just then, my phone buzzed.

I got a text. [Honey, the flight's delayed. I'll be a bit late. Wait for me.]

I sat in the corner, calm and collected, unlocking my phone to type out a reply.

I didn't bother to defend myself against Chloe, not a single word.

This was totally out of character for me.

Those people, who had already gotten up, ready to step in if things blew up between Chloe and me, exchanged awkward glances and sat back down.

Everyone knew I couldn't stand Chloe.

Whenever that so-called "female buddy" of his cozied up to Edward, I'd always end up confronting her.

The worst it ever got, I pinned Chloe to the ground and almost ruined her face for good.

Edward slapped me hard because of that.

"Lena, apologize to her," Edward ordered, his voice cold like ice.

It was the first time he'd ever hit me because of Chloe.

That slap finally snapped me out of it.

During our four years together, if Edward hadn't kept enabling her, Chloe wouldn't have kept getting between us, always showing up as his so-called "female buddy".

"Three months is enough for you to reflect, Lena. There won't be a next time," Edward said, his voice icy.

There really wouldn't be a next time.

I stood up.

Everyone instantly got nervous.

"Lena, calm down. Edward's friend just got back from abroad, and Chloe's just here to help welcome him back," one of the guys tried to smooth things over.

"Yeah, Lena, Edward only treats Chloe like one of our buddies. Honestly, she's more of a dude than most of us. Seriously, don't go off," another added.

"Move away," I said, my voice cold and steady.

I raised an eyebrow and pushed past the two people blocking my way.

Under Chloe's guarded stare, I strode past her and opened the door.

Before I closed it, I could still hear them sighing in relief and gossiping behind my back.

"Edward, you're something else. You gave Lena the silent treatment for almost three months, and now she's even changed her whole attitude for you," one of the guys said.

"If this were before, she would've snapped the moment Chloe started openly provoking her. Edward, you really know how to handle her," another chimed in.

I felt it was quite funny.

I slipped away to a quiet corner.

When Charles called again, I picked up.

"Honey, I miss you so much," Charles said.

We talked for almost half an hour.

Charles finally hung up, clearly not wanting to say goodbye.

I caught a whiff of cigarette smoke drifting over from behind me.

I turned around.

Edward stood there, trench coat draped over his shoulders, cigarette dangling from his lips, looking all casual as he blocked my way back.

"What, can't handle Chloe and me sitting together?" Edward said.

He shot a look at my locked phone, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"You'd rather spend all this time avoiding us out here than go back in? Guess you really have turned over a new leaf, huh?" he taunted.

"It's got nothing to do with you. I was just on the phone," I replied.

"Cut it out, Lena. Seriously, who else would bother to stay out here talking to you for this long except me?" Edward said.

He scoffed.

Catching my frown, he stubbed out his cigarette.

His voice had that commanding edge.

"Come back with me and apologize to Chloe. If she forgives you, we're back together," Edward ordered.

"Wise up, Lena. Chloe's the youngest out of all of us, so yeah, she's a little pampered, but honestly, we just see her as one of the guys," Edward added.

I'd lost count of how many times he'd said that over the past four years.

Memories spun through my head like a movie reel.

Chloe took advantage of me being gone, stripped naked, and crawled right into Edward's bed.

Edward got wasted, and Chloe pretended to be me, pinning him to the wall and kissing him, all while playing the 'just one of the buddies' card.

Over those four years, things like that happened more times than I could count.

I refused to believe Edward was really oblivious to how Chloe acted around him.

"Move away," I said.

I raised my hand and pushed him out of my way.

"Where did you get that?" Edward asked.

He grabbed my wrist, holding me in place.

Edward stared at the ring on my finger, his face running through a whole slideshow of emotions before he finally let out a scoff.

"Lena, who taught you this whole 'playing hard to get' act?" Edward said.

"I'm married," I said.