Chapter 1
Lucas's mom Mary Lane announced the news happily, "Lucas and Sophie are getting engaged next month. We expect your whole family to come and celebrate with us!"
Normally, I would've lost my mind the second I heard their names paired together. But today I was silent.
I could even join my parents in congratulating them.
When Lucas saw how unfazed I was, his expression darkened.
And he said, "Vivian, all these years and you're still single. Want my mom to introduce you to someone?"
I gave a faint smile and calmly showed my right hand.
The massive diamond on my finger sparkled so brightly.
"Thanks. But I'm getting married next month," I said.
Our nine-year secret relationship ended now.
Lucas suddenly stopped in his tracks.
My parents didn't notice anything, still grinning as they continued, "We've all met that guy. He's reliable and really cares about Viv."
Lucas's parents recovered and chimed in with their congratulations.
Only Lucas turned pale. He said in a trembling voice, "Who's your fiancé?"
I stared at him, without a ripple in my expression.
"Andrew Morris, the CEO of Morris Group," I said.
Lucas's furrowed brow relaxed. He let out a scoff. "Sure, sounds good."
When I was alone, Lucas dragged me over to the pear tree.
Then, as punishment, he gave my ear a sharp bite.
"Vivian, it's just a fake engagement. Did you really have to make up such a lie to piss me off?" he asked.
In public, I was mortified. My face flushed as I struggled. And my eyes reddened with shame and fury.
"I'm not lying!" I shouted.
Seeing me struggle, Lucas only got more persistent.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he lowered his head, aiming to capture my lips.
But I turned my head away.
"You and your darling Sophie are getting engaged. It's time for us to end things," I said.
Lucas froze. When I glanced at him again, he looked totally lost.
Then he asked, "Viv, isn't this how we've always been for the past nine years?
"What's gotten into you today?"
Yeah, it'd been 9 years.
And after all that, Lucas and I still had nothing to show for it.
Honestly, it was pathetic.
"Lucas, Vivian, what are you two doing here?" Sophie called out.
Her voice broke through my memories.
I shoved Lucas away before he could even react.
"He was curious about my fiancé. So he was asking me about him," I replied.
Sophie sidled up with a gossipy glint in her eyes.
She said, "Vivian, I heard from your parents that your fiancé is coming to visit in a few days. We'll all be there to make sure he's good enough for you!"
I caught the teasing glint in Sophie's eyes.
It seemed that they all thought this was some dumb stunt I pulled to get back at Lucas.
I arched my eyebrow and shot her a cold look.
"Who the hell do you think you are? You really think you can judge my fiancé?" I responded.
Sophie had a real talent for it. Her tears started pouring out like someone had turned on the waterworks.
I couldn't be bothered with them anymore and just wanted to get out of this circus.
But as I walked past Sophie, she suddenly leaned to the side.
And then she toppled right down the steps.
Lucas scrambled forward in a blind panic to help her up.
He shouted, "Vivian, have you lost your mind again?
"Looks like you didn't learn your lesson from last time!"
Hearing that, I instinctively clenched my fingers.
Three months ago, Sophie showed up and told me she was getting engaged to Lucas.
I couldn't take my eyes off her smug grin.
And that bracelet on her wrist, sparkling like crazy, made my chest tighten.
It was the matching couple's bracelets I'd fallen for at a high-end boutique days before.
But Lucas said he was strapped for cash because of a project and asked me to wait.
Sophie dangled it before my eyes. Her brows arched in a perfect curve.
She boasted, "Vivian, love always follows the money. Surely you get that, right?
"Guess what, now you're the side chick."
I slapped Sophie hard across the face.
Lucas came running, but all he saw was Sophie's cheek, red and swollen.
Still, he didn't blow up right then and there.
On my birthday, Lucas made a point of picking me up in a rented supercar.
I climbed in, grinning ear to ear. But Lucas was speeding the whole time, driving like a lunatic.
With my asthma, I was gasping for air and nearly fainted as soon as I got out.
Lucas and Sophie were cracking up right in front of me, laughing like it was the funniest thing ever.
"Had fun? Maybe next time you'll think twice before acting like a spoiled princess," he said.
Just remembering that suffocating feeling sent a chill through me.
"She fell on her own!" I insisted.
Lucas narrowed his eyes. Fury etched across his face.
"Why would she frame you?" asked him.
Why? Yes, why would she want to frame me?
The words of Lucas's real sister flashed through my mind.
She said, "I've never wanted to go back to the Lane family.
"She's such a liar. And Lucas still sticks up for her."