Chapter 2

For tonight's date, I cancelled all my important meetings at the company and left early.

I spent three hours getting ready.

This was supposed to be our fourth Valentine's Day together—mine and Tyler's.

I was full of anticipation, waiting for him to come home.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed.

It was a Snapchat message from Tyler.

"Stella, something urgent came up at the office. I have to work overtime. I won't make it tonight."

Looking at the screen, all my excitement evaporated into cold disappointment.

My best friend, Chloe Bennett, called me. Hearing the sadness in my voice, she drove over immediately.

"Stella Vance, get a grip! You are not going to cry over some guy!"

Seeing me looking so miserable, she scolded me but dragged me off the couch anyway.

"Let's go! If he won't take you out, I will! You look too gorgeous to waste this outfit!"

Our destination was the three-star Michelin restaurant where I had just loaded ten thousand dollars onto my VIP account last week.

I had thought it would be our special romantic spot.

But as soon as our car pulled up, I froze.

In the main lobby, there was a massive rose arch. It was tacky and loud.

And standing right beneath it was none other than Tyler Sterling.

He was wearing the custom $15,000 bespoke suit I bought for him.

I had imagined him wearing it to propose to me a thousand times.

But now, he was down on one knee, holding a massive diamond ring, looking up adoringly at another girl.

I recognized her. Bambi Miller, the new intern at Tyler’s company.

Just two days ago, Tyler was complaining to me.

"These Gen Z interns don't know how to do anything. I have to hold her hand through every single task. It's exhausting."

Yet here he was, looking at Bambi with eyes so tender they could melt.

"Bambi, before I met you, I never believed in marriage."

"But now, I can't picture my life with anyone else."

That cheesy line. He had used the exact same words on me three years ago.

Bambi blushed, holding out her hand to let him slide the ring on.

His group of freeloading friends cheered wildly around them.

"Kiss her! Kiss her!"

"She’s beautiful, Tyler! You’re a lucky man!"

My blood ran cold. Anger and betrayal choked me.

Three years ago, when he started his company, he couldn't even afford a tiny office space.

I was the one who gave him $150,000 as seed money.

When his cash flow dried up and he was evicted for not paying rent, I took him in. I let him live in my downtown luxury penthouse.

I did everything to pave the way for his success.