Chapter 3

Keegan's birthday was coming up. On this day in my previous life, I started getting ready for his birthday half a month ahead of time.

I made him a three-tiered fondant cake from scratch and pulled several all-nighters to knit him a scarf.

I reserved the priciest revolving restaurant in town, put on my prettiest dress, and waited from six in the evening all the way until midnight.

But Keegan never showed up. He spent the night watching fireworks with Reyna, and the paparazzi even caught them on camera.

When I called him to confront him, Keegan said coldly, "You're so annoying," and hung up.

That night, I sat alone in the empty restaurant, ate every last bite of the cake, then stumbled to the bathroom and threw up until I couldn't see straight.

Now that I'd got a second shot at life, there was no way in hell I was making the same stupid mistake again.

On the day of the birthday, I headed out early.

I met up with my bestie for a full spa day at the salon, then we hit the mall for a shopping spree.

Swiping Marissa's card and grabbing the latest designer bags, I was in heaven.

My bestie looked at me, surprised by all the shopping bags. "Karla, isn't it Keegan's birthday today? Why aren't you with him?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Why bother? He's got his little darling Reyna with him. No need for me to crash their party."

My bestie knew all about my situation with Keegan and sighed. "Are you really planning to just keep living like this?"

I smiled. "Of course not. Once the two years are up, I'll take the money and walk away. For now, I'm just treating this like a paid job."

That evening, I came back to the villa loaded down with shopping bags.

As soon as I walked in, I saw the living room was pitch black. I turned on the lights and was startled.

Keegan was sitting on the couch, the only light in the room was the red ember of his cigarette glowing between his fingers.

When he saw me come in, he stubbed out his cigarette, his voice cold enough to freeze the room. "Where have you been?"

I slipped on my slippers and dropped my shopping bags on the coffee table. "Just out shopping, why?"

Keegan shot to his feet and strode over, looming above me. "Don't you know what day it is?"

I blinked, pretending like I remembered. "Oh, right, it's your birthday."

I pulled a nicely wrapped box out of my bag and handed it to him. "Happy birthday. Here's your gift."

Keegan was taken aback, his anger easing a little.

He took the box, opened it, and his expression instantly soured. Inside was a pricey men's watch.

But the catch? He'd tossed that same watch in the entryway just a few days ago. All I did was get it cleaned up at the store and repackage it.

"Karla, are you kidding me?!" Keegan slammed the box to the floor, and the watch rolled out, its glass shattering everywhere.

I shot the watch a pained look. "That thing cost thousands of dollars, and you just smashed it? Seriously, what a waste. Mr. Armstrong, what's with you?

"I went all over town picking out a gift for you. If you don't like it, whatever, but do you really have to blow up like this?"

Keegan's eyes were red with anger. "You picked this out? That's the same watch I wore last week. Do you think I'm stupid or something?"

I spread my hands, looking totally innocent. "Maybe I got it mixed up. You've got so many watches, Mr. Armstrong, it's hard to tell them apart."

I yawned, walked right past him, and started upstairs. "If Mr. Armstrong doesn't care, then forget it. I'm exhausted after shopping all day, so I'm heading for a shower."

"Stop," Keegan snapped. He grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he could crush my bones. "Karla, what the hell are you up to?"

He stared me down, his eyes full of emotions I couldn't even begin to figure out. "You weren't like this before.

"On my birthday, you used to bend over backwards for me, like you'd give me your heart if you could. Now? You don't even bother to fake it anymore?"

I looked at his furious face and suddenly found the whole thing kind of ridiculous.

"Keegan, are you a masochist or what?" I yanked my hand free and rubbed my reddened wrist. "Back when I gave you everything, you found me annoying, couldn't stand the sight of me, and wished I'd disappear.

"Now that I'm not bothering you anymore, you come running to ask why I don't even bother to fake it?"

I met his eyes and said, word by word, "Keegan, people get tired. I'm done revolving around you. Isn't having Reyna by your side for your birthday enough? Why come to me looking for trouble?"

With that, I didn't spare him another glance and turned to head upstairs.

Behind me, I heard the sound of Keegan kicking over the coffee table.

I didn't even look back. Let him throw his tantrum. It was not my problem if he wrecked anything.