Chapter 1

The day I got my acceptance letter from Oxford, my dad's illegitimate daughter, Hazel, suddenly showed up to brag that the boy I liked had proposed to her.

I didn't take it seriously. I brought a cake I'd baked to see Nolan and joked about what she said.

To my surprise, Nolan tossed my cake into the trash. "It's true. Hazel and I are engaged.

"You know your dad doesn't care about you, and none of that family money is ever going to be yours. My career is taking off, so I can't marry you.

"But don't worry. I'll make sure you're taken care of."

As he reached for my hand, I took a step back and sneered.

What he didn't know was that my father didn't control any of the family shares. They all belong to my grandfather.

And there was only one condition to inherit them.

Getting into Oxford.

"No need," I said softly. "I've never needed anyone to look after me."

When I got home, I started packing my bags.

Ever since my mom passed and my dad brought Hazel Burt home, this place had stopped feeling like a home to me.

I moved into a small apartment not far from campus, which was bought years ago by my grandfather. My dad didn't know about it.

A few days later, a classmate set up a get-together. I wasn't planning on going, but figured it might be my last chance to see some friends before moving out, so I showed up.

When I walked into the private room, the whole place fell silent for a second.

"Hi, Ivy." A few girls crowded around me. "We heard you moved out. What's going on?"

"Is it because of Hazel? We all saw Nolan's post online; he's with her now."

"Don't be too upset. Guys like Nolan aren't worth it."

Their words sounded kind, but their eyes were dripping with amusement. After all, Nolan was the school heartthrob, and everyone who liked him was annoyed to see me nearby.

I gave a faint smile and didn't answer.

Meanwhile, a bunch of classmates were fawning over Hazel.

"Hazel, is that the new Cartier bracelet? It's gorgeous."

"Nolan treats you like a queen. You guys make such a cute couple."

When Hazel saw me, her eyes lit up. She hooked her arm through Nolan's and walked over.

"Ivy, I'm glad you're here," she said sweetly, showing off the shiny bracelet on her wrist. "Dad bought it for me as a graduation gift. Cute, isn't it?"

I didn't say a word.

She didn't seem to notice and went on. "I heard you moved out. Living alone must be tough, huh? Want me to ask Dad to help you out financially?"

"No," I said calmly, meeting her gaze. "I'm doing fine."

"Come on, Ivy, don't act tough," she said, faking concern. "I know it's hard for you, considering your past with Nolan—"

"Hazel," Nolan cut her off, his voice carrying a sharp note of reproach. "That's enough."

Hazel immediately pouted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Just then, a waiter happened to walk by with a pot of hot coffee.

Hazel paused for a moment, and with a quick "ouch", she stumbled toward the waiter.

The waiter got scared, his hand wobbled, and the pot slipped. Hot coffee almost splashed onto Hazel.

In an instant, Hazel yanked me forward, sending the scalding coffee straight toward me.

I put my hand up to protect my face, and my arm burned from the scald.

Hazel shrieked, rushing over and gripping my injured arm tightly. "Ivy, are you okay?"

I shook her off with a surge of disgust.

She dropped to the floor, bursting into tears and looking pitiful. "Ivy, I know you hate me, but I was trying to help. How could you push me?"

Everyone gasped in shock.

"Ivy, what the hell are you doing?" Nolan pushed me aside and hurried straight to Hazel.

I wasn't expecting it. My hip slammed into the sharp corner of a table behind me. Pain shot through me, bending me over instantly, sweat beading on my skin.

Nolan took off his jacket and wrapped it around the soaking-wet, shivering Hazel. When he turned to me, his eyes were icy.

He said, "Ivy, I can't believe you've become like this. Public bullying? Just out of jealousy over Hazel? Apologize to her immediately."

I held my aching side, staring at the man I'd known for eighteen years.

We grew up together, telling each other every secret and hope.

He had stayed by my side all through my mother's funeral, promising he would always be there for me. And now, for my dad's illegitimate daughter, he didn't hesitate to hurt me.

"Apologize?" My voice trembled with pain, but I forced myself to stand up straight. "Nolan, are you blind? She—"

"Enough," Nolan snapped, cutting me off. "Ivy, if you make a mistake, own up to it. Don't make me lose respect for you."

"Mistake?" I glanced at his serious, moralizing face and couldn't help but laugh to myself.

I said, "Nolan, do you need me to remind you who Hazel is? She's my dad's daughter with his mistress, only brought into the family at fifteen."

My words made the whole room go dead silent. Hazel's face turned ghostly pale.