Chapter 1

Five years ago, I walked away when Alex Quinn loved me most deeply.

The world saw a spoiled heiress casting aside her penniless lover—bored, willful. No one saw the bitterness hidden behind my silence.

Now he was back. Triumphant. Glowing. While my life had long sunk into the mire.

I'd braced myself for his hatred. His revenge. But it never came.

*****

I never imagined I'd run into my Alex again after all these years—especially not in a place like this.

My flight was delayed, so by the time I arrived at the charity gala, I'd already missed the opening.

Martin Chambers, the organizer, snatched a glass of champagne from a waiter and, with a mischievous grin, said, "Latecomers have to take their punishment, Mrs. Carter."

This wasn't the first time he'd used an excuse to make things difficult for me.

I instinctively tried to step aside, but someone's gaze landed on us.

That someone was my ex, Alex.

I'd spotted him the instant I walked in.

But he didn't seem to notice me at all. He was busy laughing and talking with the people around him, not even glancing my way.

After I finished my drink, Martin pushed his luck, his greasy hand sliding right over the back of mine. "Mrs. Carter, have you thought about what I brought up last time?"

Seeing me pretend not to understand, Martin dropped all pretense. "Only the wise know how to seize the moment, Mrs. Carter.

"You really think your husband's clueless? Guess what, he's already on board. Spend one night with me, and that harbor property..."

Suddenly, Alex walked over holding a glass of wine, his tall figure standing between Martin and me.

They seemed to have something important to talk about, so I took the opportunity to quietly slip away.

As I was leaving, Alex gave me a cold, distant look, as if I were nothing more than a complete stranger.

A strange, bitter feeling lingered in my chest.

There was a time when Alex looked at me with nothing but tenderness.

*****

I scrubbed my hands over and over in the restroom before finally heading back to the gala.

After a few rounds of drinks, everyone was swapping business cards and chatting away.

When someone realized Alex and I both went to Westhood University, they couldn't help but gossip, "Alex, you and Mrs. Carter are alumni? Did you two know each other back then?"

I figured Alex definitely didn't want to bring up our past because our breakup was pretty messy.

I lowered my eyes and said softly, "No, we didn't."

But Alex replied, "Yeah, we did."

The crowd started teasing us, making playful noises and egging us on.

"Come on, what's with all the fuss? Mrs. Carter's got a timid streak. Don't go scaring her," Mindy Lewis chimed in, stepping up to shield me.

"This place is dull. Let's head over there and have some fun," Mindy said, tugging at my arm. She took the lead and pulled me along to join a card game.

Before long, Alex got pulled into the game too, and we switched things up to rolling dice. Whoever rolled the highest won.

The winner could make the loser do a dare, answer a truth question, or, if they didn't want to pick, take three shots.

I was on a lucky streak, winning round after round. I wasn't big on dares, so I asked some light questions.

It didn't take me long to realize the real main characters here were a couple, both married to other people. They were using the game as an excuse to flirt, giving themselves a reason to feel better about whatever came after.

This was what grown-up games were really about—status and desire.

When it was Alex's turn to roll the dice against me, he came out on top.

I was all set for a dare or ready to down the drinks as punishment.

But Alex tossed out a casual question. "Are you happy now that you're married?"