Chapter 3

A year ago, Janet threatened to kill herself if I didn't agree to blind dates and marriage.

I went to the meeting she arranged, but the guy didn't show up.

Rain hammered against the windows that day. I sat there crying my eyes out, grieving both Janet's illness and my own surrender to it all.

Then Ryan appeared out of nowhere. He handed me a tissue and stayed with me the entire afternoon.

Eventually, something in him softened.

I didn't know why Ryan agreed to marry me. Maybe I looked pathetic enough that day, or maybe he's just one of those genuinely kind people.

Either way, I couldn't resist the pull.

I fell for him hard.

*****

Saturday afternoon, I finally caved to the constant barrage of messages in the group chat and decided to go.

I didn't mention it to Ryan.

The reunion was being held at The Willow Club's penthouse ballroom. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcased the entire city skyline, lights twinkling like scattered diamonds.

Crystal chandeliers cast brilliant reflections across the room, and the champagne tower glowed warm amber under the soft lighting.

When I walked in, about twenty people had already arrived.

Stella stood at the center of the crowd, surrounded as if she owned the room.

She wore a champagne velvet slip dress cinched at the waist, her hair curled and spilling over her shoulders. Diamond earrings caught the light every time she moved.

Her makeup was flawless, lips painted that trendy deep red that made her skin look absolutely radiant.

She looked more like a celebrity than I did.

Emily spotted me first and waved me over. "Lily! Get over here, we've been waiting for you."

I walked across the room, my heels silent against the carpet.

Stella turned around, her eyes landing on me. She smiled politely, but her gaze stayed cold. "It's been a while, Lily."

I nodded. "Yeah, it has."

"So you're an actress now, right?" She tilted her head slightly. "I saw your show, 'When Spring Fades', right? You were pretty good."

"Thanks."

The exchange was polite, distant, perfectly rehearsed.

Someone nearby jumped in. "Stella and Ryan are killing it, aren't they? Probably the most successful people from our class.

"She's pulling in millions at some investment bank, about to head back and take over the family business. And Ryan's basically a mega-star now with like a hundred million followers."

"Lily's doing great too," another person added. "She's a celebrity."

The first person hesitated. "Well, yeah, but it's not really the same. Ryan's A-list. Lily's—" They trailed off with an awkward laugh. "You know, she's doing fine."

Someone piped up, "Hey Lily, you really can't get hold of Ryan?"

Every head in the room turned toward me.

I tightened my grip on the champagne flute, and the cold glass bit into my fingers. "Yes. We're not that close," I said.

"Aw, that's too bad."

Stella let out a soft laugh and swirled her wine. "Actually, I talked to Ryan yesterday."

The room went dead silent.

She paused and glanced around the table. "He said he has a livestream tonight, but if it wraps up early, he might stop by."

"Oh my god, seriously?" someone squealed.

"Stella, look at you," another friend chimed in.

"So are you two really back together?"

Stella pressed her lips together in a small smile, refusing to answer either way.

I knew that smile. I had seen it before.

It was the kind of smile winners wore when they had already won, the kind that carried a trace of pity for anyone foolish enough to challenge them.

I turned and walked toward the balcony.

The night air was cool, cutting through the lingering perfume on my skin.

My phone rang. Ryan's name flashed across the screen.

He sounded distracted when he spoke. "Where are you?"

"Class reunion," I said, then hesitated. "Are you coming?"

"Yeah, my livestream just ended." His voice carried a tired edge, like he had been rubbing his temples. "Send me the address."

I took a breath. "Are you still in touch with Stella?"

Ryan went quiet for a couple of seconds. "She told you that?"

He laughed, his tone flat. "Our families do business together. We run into each other, we say hi. That's it. Are you jealous?"

"I'm not!" I said.

"Lily Forrest." He used my full name, his voice dropping low. "We've been married for two years."

I didn't respond.

"Wait for me." He hung up.