Chapter 1

Julian Mercer and I were the kind of campus couple everyone envied — the perfect match of the school beauty and the golden boy.

I loved him with everything I had. So when I finally gave him my body, I thought it meant something. Then one day, I saw a file on his phone.

It was a detailed log—notes about his "relationship progress" with me.

And the last line cut me open: [The test subject was in pain last night. Must be gentler when it's time to submit the final report to Adeline.]

He'd even added a little note saying he "couldn't bear to make Adeline sad."

That was when I realized the truth. I wasn't his girlfriend. I was just a practice dummy. A warm-up for his real romance with Adeline — the school's untouchable princess.

In my old life, when I found out, I went crazy. I screamed, cried, demanded answers. He said he loved me. He deleted the file right in front of me.

And I believed him. Until I died. Until the baby inside me died too.

But this time, I was not the same girl. This time, I have a file of my own—a transfer order.

It was my reassignment papers for a battlefield doctor.

He could have his happy ending with Adeline. But tell me, why wouldn't he let me go?

*****

"Julian, come on, man, spill it — how was last night with Aurora?" One of his buddies smirked at him across the bleachers.

Julian grinned, eyes glinting. "Guess there's no better teacher than hands-on experience.

"I learned a lot. Adeline won't ever say I'm awkward again.

"Man, good thing I took your advice and went after Aurora. That girl's a damn good practice tool."

In my old life, hearing that had sent me straight into a meltdown. I'd marched up to him, phone in hand, demanding if it was true.

But not this time. This time, I stood quietly behind the bleachers, listening.

His friend sighed. "Still, man… what if she finds out?"

Julian went silent for a moment, then said softly, "She won't. And even if she does, she'll forgive me."

He was right—I had forgiven him once. He'd told me he loved me, deleted the file right before my eyes.

I didn't know he'd backed it up, and kept adding new notes about everything he tried on me. Every night, he'd write down new "observations," new "results."

In bed, he'd try everything. I thought it was passion—it was testing. He was experimenting with me, studying how far he could go between pain and pleasure, just to please Adeline.

Adeline knew about me. She got jealous, furious.

When I got pregnant, she spread rumors that I'd cheated, then pushed me down the stairs.

Julian didn't even blink. "Don't think spilling wine on yourself and crying will make me pity you," he'd said coldly. "Adeline and I are finally together. You should be proud, Aurora. You helped make me the man she loves."

I didn't make it. Neither did the baby.

This time, though, I didn't cry or yell. I walked up to him calmly, handed him his phone, and said, "You should probably keep your valuables close."

He froze, panic flashed in his eyes. Then that familiar, gentle smile spread across his face "Aurora… thank you."

He was obviously afraid I'd stumble onto his dirty little secret, gripping his phone and testing, "Is my phone still charged?"

I didn't want to start a fight, so I just said, "No idea. I've got class—check it yourself."

He let out a quiet breath, like a man saved from drowning. "I'll walk you there."

I shook my head, ignoring the teasing looks from his buddies. Without another word, I turned and walked away, my face blank.

After class, I went to see my advisor Gabriel Sterling in private to ask about the volunteer program for battlefield medics the school had partnered with.

He looked at me in shock. "Aurora, are you sure you want to go that far away? Think carefully—once you go, you'll have to change your name and never come back."

I nodded without hesitation. "I'm sure."

This time, I'd stay as far away from Julian as possible. I'd live my own damn life.