Chapter 1

The first time Alex Foster brought his female childhood friend to meet me, I told him straight up I didn't like her.

He promised it was this once, and that he wouldn't see her again, so I gave him a chance.

The second time, Lily Quinn, his childhood friend, made a stew out of the piglet I needed for my experiment. That pushed my dislike for her straight into pure disgust.

Alex said Lily had no idea, so it wasn't her fault. Against my better judgment, I gave him another chance.

But this time, at our wedding reception, Lily played a prank and locked my best friend in a room, then made herself my bridesmaid by force.

She even showed up in a wedding gown.

I leaned in and whispered to Alex, "She's really annoying."

Alex laughed. "She's been pulling pranks since we were kids. I've told you before, there's nothing I can do about it."

Fine, have it your way.

If you can't do anything about her, leave it to me.

*****

My best friend's messages kept popping up on my phone.

Lily actually ripped off her dress and locked her in the hotel bathroom.

Her voice was shaking with fear in the message.

I had to listen to it twice before I could even figure out what she was saying, then I immediately called the hotel staff to let her out.

Just then, Lily stepped right in front of me again, blocking the hotel staff with the key.

"Sophia, don't say I didn't warn you. There's something off about your friend. She's been talking behind your back, so I had to teach her a lesson," Lily said, sounding all self-righteous.

She looked all fired up, like that tomboy in those crappy school videos Alex showed me, always acting like she's the protector of the group.

Her hands, with those long, manicured nails, slapped my shoulder in a bold, almost guy-like way.

"Trust me, after the wedding, cut her off. Otherwise, she'll definitely stab you in the back someday," Lily said.

Just as she finished, Alex walked over. "What's going on?"

He was talking to me, but he kept his eyes on Lily.

He couldn't help but smile a little.

Alex always had that icy look for everyone else, but with Lily, that cold facade melted away and he'd start grinning for no reason.

As soon as Lily heard Alex ask, she started talking nonstop.

She started dragging my childhood friend through the mud, making her sound like she was absolutely worthless.

"I've seen girls like her a million times. Total two-faced bitch, disgusting, always acting high and mighty. She had it coming. Today, your bro here handled her for your wife. No need to thank me," she said.

Then the two of them started goofing off together, not caring about anyone watching.

Looking at Alex, usually the most meticulous guy ever, now acting so insanely biased, I couldn't help but find it hilarious.

"Alex, you've got five minutes to get my friend out of the bathroom and take her to the hospital for a check-up." I said it, totally unfazed.

But Alex suddenly turned to look at me. "Sophia Newton, trust me. Lily can read people like a book. Your friend really had it coming, otherwise, who knows what she might pull in the future..."

Before he could finish, I slapped him hard across the face.

The slap was so loud, everyone turned to look at us.

"I'm not saying this again. answer me, are you going, or not?" I asked, my tone icy and firm.

Lily jumped in front of Alex, like she was his bodyguard, all fired up.

"Seriously? Smacking Alex is basically smacking me." Lily shot back, full of attitude.

She shoved her face right up to mine, daring me.

"Come on." she challenged.

"You love slapping people, right? Hit me then." Lily kept pushing, not backing down for a second.

She kept getting closer, not backing down for a second.

Alex didn't even try to stop her.

Instead, he rolled his eyes at me.

Smack.

My manicured nails raked a long, red scratch right across Lily's face.

She froze, staring at me in shock.

"Are you crazy?" she shrieked.

I gave her a cold smile. "Isn't this exactly what you wanted?"