Chapter 1

I was an average-looking girl, but my boyfriend was Alex Carter, the most handsome heir of the Carter Family in the Uptown Circle.

Two months ago, on my birthday, he took me to a hotel after we'd had a few drinks. After that night, he never replied to my messages again.

I showed up at his place unannounced, and by accident, overheard him telling his buddy that I was hard to look at once my clothes were off. He was afraid I'd get clingy, so he planned to cut me off completely.

He even laughed at himself, saying, "Was I out of my mind before? There are so many beautiful girls out there, but I got hooked on her."

Could I put up with that? I started quietly moving on from him.

After Alex left me hanging for months, running around with a younger girl from his college, he finally came back and dumped me.

The very next day, I announced my new boyfriend online without missing a beat.

He was left speechless.

*****

Two months ago, on my birthday, Alex took me to a hotel after we'd had a few drinks.

Even though my period crashed the party and we didn't go all the way, it still felt like our relationship leveled up.

I was always a reserved person, and all I ever cared about was my studies. Alex chased after me for two years, and we dated for another two. I found myself relying on him more and more.

After we almost lost control that night, I wanted to be around him all the time.

But lately, he barely replied to my messages.

At first, I didn't think much of it. After all, everyone could see how much he favored me.

I figured something must be going on with his family.

After school, I skipped the group welcome party and took a cab to his place to see what was going on.

I had his house code. He made me memorize it not long after we started dating.

I punched in the code like I'd done it a hundred times before and walked in. The living room was empty.

When I got to the second floor, I saw the study door was slightly open, and I could hear voices inside.

Looking back, I guess I was pretty lucky to overhear their conversation.

Alex and his best friend, Ryan Foster, were talking about how to dump me.

Alex had a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth. "Back in school, I was obsessed with her grades and that whole cold, distant vibe she had going on.

"But once she took her clothes off and the lights hit her, man, she really wasn't much to look at.

"Seriously, was I blind or something? There are so many hot girls out there, but I got hung up on her."

Ryan shrugged, "Who knows? Maybe you got tired of the same old thing and wanted a change.

"Since we were kids, every girl around you was like a movie star.

"Guess after a while, you got bored of all the eye candy. Going for an ugly brainiac was your way to shake things up. At least now, your standards are back to normal."

Alex took a drag from his cigarette, smirking. "Man, you got a point. I almost, seriously, almost ended up in bed with her.

"With Emily Hathaway being so rigid, if I actually did, she'd probably never let me go. That's honestly kinda freaky.

"Whatever, I'll ghost her for a bit. When she finally blows up at me, I'll dump her then. Saves me a ton of hassle."

He rubbed his arms, like the thought alone gave him chills.

I stood there, staring at everything, my mind buzzing.

Because my dad cheated, I had zero faith in guys growing up.

Back in school, all I wanted was to get out and make a life for myself, so I could be the one taking care of me when I got old.

Then Alex crashed into my world. This rich, flashy heir, totally shameless, kept telling me he liked me again and again.

Even my best friend said maybe this was real love, that Alex was nothing like the other guys.

I bought into it, and in the end, it turned me into a joke.

Looking at his ridiculously good-looking face, my eyes wouldn't stop tearing up.

I'm a person, not some robot.

We spent two years practically glued at the hip, and honestly, my feelings for him only grew stronger.

That night at the hotel, when Alex held me close and called me "baby," I was so moved I almost cried.

But who would've thought? While I was imagining a happily ever after, he was busy thinking I was ugly.

Damn, that's a real kick in the teeth.

My pride wouldn't let me make a scene.

I quietly closed the door behind me.

I walked two miles straight before finally collapsing onto a bus stop bench.

My legs were burning, but my heart hurt even worse, like someone was stabbing it with a knife.

As if the universe wanted to rub it in, the heavens unleashed a raging storm right on top of me.

The music blasting from the mall across the street was so on point, it felt like my heartbreak had its own movie soundtrack.

It said: [Let the rain pour down, so you won't see the pain on my face.

[Let it all end. Honestly, are you really the selfish one here?]

Fine, let's end it, Alex. If you want to break up, I'll give you exactly what you want.

Not only am I ending things, I'm ending them with style.

Otherwise, what was the point of a brain good enough to score 702 on an exam?