Chapter 1

Scarlett had strung me along for seven years. Then she said she was bored and went after a younger, more handsome college guy.

This time, I didn't make a scene. I tossed the diamond ring I’d bought for her and cut up the wedding dress I’d picked out.

Late that night, I boarded a plane and left NYC.

Her friends were all placing bets on how long it would take for me to crawl back.

Scarlett just smiled, arrogant as ever: "Alex will be back begging like a dog in less than a day."

But day after day passed, and I remained out of touch.

She couldn’t sit still anymore and called my phone: "Alex, had enough fun? Come back…"

A soft, shy female voice cut her off: "Ms. Reed, you should apologize early, or someone else will snatch him away."

Scarlett gripped her phone, her voice trembling: "Who is this? Let Alex take the call!"

Serena leaned in and kissed me: "He can’t. He needs his rest. If it's important, you’ll have to wait for me to kiss him awake."

It was my seventh year with Scarlett.

I’d bought a diamond ring and her favorite wedding dress, mustering up the courage to propose.

But bad luck, I arrived a few minutes late to the party that day.

Just in time to overhear her chatting with her friends.

"Alex? Oh, that guy’s so predictable. I got bored ages ago."

Scarlett sipped her red wine, a haughty smile on her face: "Seven years. Wouldn't you be tired of it?"

Her friends all burst into laughter: "You’ve got a point. Seven years, even the hottest guy would lose his flavor."

"But Alex really is handsome."

"And his body's great too. At Scarlett’s birthday last time, he wore a full black suit, looked even better than those movie stars!"

"Seriously, Scarlett, you used to be so obsessed with him. Can you really let him go?"

Scarlett’s voice was flat: "Have I ever lied?"

Her friend immediately changed tack: "Then… if I went after Alex, you wouldn’t mind, right?"

"Go for it," Scarlett took another sip of wine, speaking slowly. "As long as you’re not grossed out."

"Seriously? Aren't you ashamed? Taking her sloppy seconds, someone Scarlett’s already bored with?"

Another wave of laughter.

I didn't go into the private room that night. I made up an excuse and went home early.

Scarlett hung up the phone without asking a single question.

I guess that night, my burning heart finally died out.