Chapter 1
After the college reunion dinner ended, everyone was about to split the bill when the newly returned campus belle, Serena Jennings, suddenly stood up from the center of the group.
She said, "Tonight's dinner is on me. This is Adam's hotel; he said all the charges tonight are his.
"Oh, and he's got us a big private suite upstairs, with top-shelf drinks and fruit platters ready to go."
Understanding dawned on the classmates, and they immediately began to flatter Serena enthusiastically.
Some praised Serena and Adam Sinclair as a match made in heaven.
Others lamented that if not for graduation breaking them apart, the two would have married and had children by now.
But thankfully, love hadn't lost to time. Adam was so good to Serena; surely they would rekindle their romance.
As the compliments kept coming, Serena blushed and announced to everyone, "Adam and I are back together."
As Adam's secret wife for seven years, I pressed a hand to my aching heart, fighting back the pain, and hesitantly texted him.
Me: [Are you coming home tonight?]
*****
Adam replied almost instantly. He didn't say yes or no. He just replied: [Meeting.]
It was his go-to reply to me for all seven years of our marriage.
The word meeting always stopped me from nagging or reaching out anymore.
Every time, it left me with no excuse to get mad at him.
Just as I stood there, gripping my phone tightly, Serena blushed again and said, "Adam messaged me again. He said he's got hotel rooms ready for everyone tonight, so you can all drink and party without a worry.
"Oh, and Adam told me to pass on a message; he's happy to treat, but nobody's allowed to force me to drink. If I end up drunk, he'll come over after his meeting and give you all a hard time."
All I got from Adam was that one-word reply, and a wave of bitter heartache rushed over me.
My best friend, Emma Green, noticing my face, immediately said to Serena in a mocking tone, "Everyone knows you and Adam were the campus couple back in the day, but it's been seven years. You're not just name-dropping him for clout, are you?"
Serena didn't seem bothered at all by Emma's jab.
She took out her phone and tapped play on a voice message.
Adam's deep, familiar voice filled the room from Serena's phone. "Serena, sorry I can't be there tonight. Something came up, and I've got a meeting.
"Have fun with your friends, and hey, let them know nobody's allowed to make you drink. And don't go causing trouble either; if you really want a drink, wait till I get there. I'll come pick you up after my meeting."
Adam's words left me breathless, the ache in my chest almost suffocating.
My body swayed, legs suddenly weak.
In seven years of marriage, Adam had never spoken to me with that kind of tenderness.
Emma caught the look on my face again and leaned in, murmuring in my ear, "Are you alright?"
I gripped her hand hard and shook my head.
Serena's gaze landed right on me.
She said, "Claire, back in college, you were always chasing after Adam—buying him breakfast, bringing him umbrellas, all that stuff. Seriously, it's been seven years. Are you still hung up on him? Is that why Emma is coming at me now?
"Listen, Adam was never into you seven years ago, and he's not going to be into you now. So quit making a scene."
The moment Serena finished, the classmates instantly shot me those mocking looks.
Feeling their ridicule, my hands balled up again.
Everyone in college knew I was hopelessly devoted to Adam.
Adam would skip class all the time to be with Serena.
But every single time, I'd cover for him, even if it meant losing my own credits.
Because of that, everyone mocked me behind my back.
They said I was some poor, plain girl from a distant town, totally out of Adam's league, like I could ever take Serena's guy from her.
But honestly, no matter what they said, it never bothered me. I kept going.
Anything that was good for Adam, I'd do it.
Back then, I never said a word to defend myself against their ridicule.
Because my love for Adam was real, and so was my sense of inferiority.
But now, everything had changed. I was Adam's wife.
Even though their mocking looks still made me nervous, I held up my hand, showing the ring on my finger.
I said, "Sorry for the confusion. I'm already married.
"I just had a bit too much to drink and lost my balance for a second, that's all. Aren't we heading upstairs? Come on, let's go."
After saying that, I stepped ahead of Serena and made my way to the elevator first.
My face was expressionless the entire time, and I forced myself to stand tall.
But my thumb gripped the tiny diamonds on my ring so tightly that the sharp edges pierced my skin, and blood started to seep out.
All along, I had known that Adam only went along with his mother's wishes and married me.
But deep down, he never truly forgot Serena.