Chapter 1
Six years after our breakup, I ran into Rashad Tucker again at a university reunion.
Standing beside him was Emilia White—his soon-to-be wife, the same woman who, years ago, had slipped sleeping pills into a drink and turned me into the "campus abuser" dragged before public judgment.
She raised her glass at me with a sweet smile. "Galilea, if it weren't for you back then, Rashad and I wouldn't be where we are today."
Laughter rippled through the room. Everyone was watching me like I was a punchline.
No one noticed the emerald ring beneath my collarbone—fastened there that morning by my husband.
And no one could have guessed that thirty minutes later—when the door to the private room swung open—the name of the man who walked in would silence every laugh in the room.
*****
Six years after our breakup, I ran into Rashad again at a university reunion.
Rashad sat at the head of the long table, looking sharp in his suit, surrounded by old classmates passing around drinks and cigarettes.
Emilia sat beside him, her makeup perfect, and her diamond watch sparkled under the lights, almost blinding everyone.
"Rashad just got promoted to vice president, and Emilia's pregnant. Two pieces of good news at once," someone called out, raising their glass.
Everyone joined in, and the atmosphere felt like Rashad's own victory party.
Emilia cradled her belly, looking all proud and delicate as she jumped in. She ignored everyone else, and her eyes locked right on me as she raised her glass of juice.
"This toast is for you, Galilea," she said. "If you hadn't let us be together back then, Rashad and I wouldn't be where we are today. Really, thank you."
People around the table shot each other knowing looks, and someone let out a quiet laugh.
I leaned back in my chair, not moving. My fingers casually brushed the emerald ring below my collarbone—the one my husband put on me this morning. I smirked.
"No need to thank me," I said. "Turning your roommate's boyfriend into your fiancé? That switch was all you. I just watched from the sidelines."
Emilia's smile froze for a moment.
She dug her nails into Rashad's sleeve, her eyes instantly reddening, looking so hurt it was like she'd been slapped in front of everyone.
The room went silent for a couple of seconds before someone awkwardly tried to break the tension.
"It's been ages since we all got together. Come on, let's eat, let's eat," someone chimed in.
Everyone scrambled to change the subject, and soon the conversation turned to Rashad's recent successes.
If it weren't for Shannon Winters, who always looked out for me in college—and the fact that Rashad wasn't even supposed to show up tonight—I wouldn't have bothered coming at all.
I set down my barely-touched glass of red wine and stood up.
Sofia Hughes, sitting next to me, startled and grabbed my hand, lowering her voice.
"Galilea, what are you doing? Don't do anything rash," she said.
The others noticed me getting up and began to whisper among themselves.
"See? I knew she couldn't just sit there."
"Who even invited her? Isn't anyone worried she'll cause a scene?"
"What's there to be afraid of? If the Hensley family hadn't gone under, who knows how long she'd have kept picking on Emilia? Now she gets to see how happy Emilia is. Serves her right."
I glanced at that person, then just gave Sofia a reassuring smile.
"It's fine. I'm just going to the restroom," I said.
Sofia let go of my hand, but she still looked worried.
I turned and walked out of the private room.
After washing my hands at the end of the hallway, I pushed open the door and found Rashad there, leaning against the wall, blocking my way.
I paused, ready to sidestep him.
He stretched out his arm, stopping me.
"Where have you been these past six years?" Rashad asked.
His voice was hoarse, and he reeked of alcohol.
"Just living my own life," I replied.
My tone was casual, as if I were just talking about the weather.
He didn't move.
"About your dad... I didn't find out the truth until later," Rashad said. "You hate me."
He spoke like he already knew the answer.
I let out a small, mocking smile. "I left all that behind ages ago."
He looked up sharply. "Who are you trying to fool?
"If you really left it behind, then why have you been looking at me like a stranger ever since you walked in?
"If you're really doing so well, then why didn't you say a word when everyone was giving you a hard time just now?
"Where's the Galilea who never took crap from anyone?"
He stepped closer, the hallway lights exposing every flicker of emotion on his face.
Decked out in a custom suit and a limited-edition watch, he was dripping with the kind of luxury and status he'd cultivated over the years.
But right now, standing in front of me, he looked completely out of sorts.
Suddenly, a memory from years ago surfaced in my mind.
The autumn of my freshman year, during the first week.
I grew up hustling alongside my dad in the business world, so I was harder and more aloof than most kids my age. While everyone else was busy making friends, I sat alone in the back row, reading financial statements.