Chapter 1

At the college reunion, the second I took my seat, every pair of eyes in the room locked onto me.

I only had my past self to blame for being so high-profile back then. Now, even if I wanted to blend into the background, I couldn't.

The title of "NYU's It-Girl" had followed me everywhere.

And the glamorous girl from back then couldn't be further from the broke, exhausted mess I was today.

Five years ago, I took a million dollars from Julian Hayes's mother to leave him, promising never to return to New York City for five years.

We ended things so brutally that year. I dumped him in public, on an occasion that meant the world to him.

Not only did I break his heart, but I crushed it under my heel without a shred of mercy.

Yet now, five years later, watching him walk into the reunion with his gorgeous young wife on his arm...

I have to admit, I wanted to cry.

"Well, look who it is! Nora Vance," a voice chimed in. "What made you finally grace us with your presence? In the past, no one could ever drag you to these things."

I looked up. Ah. Brittany Wells. Back in college, she was perpetually stuck as NYU’s second prettiest girl, always living in my shadow.

Heavy makeup, voluminous waves, plunging neckline.

She really went all out for tonight.

"Brittany? Wow, you look a little different from college. Did your nose get a bit higher?"

My eyes drifted downward. "And your chest looks a bit... fuller, too."

She hurriedly clutched her jacket together, shooting me a flustered glare.

My best friend, Amber, leaned in, giggling softly. "Nora, you haven't lost your edge. She struts in here like she owns the place every single time. You’re literally the only one who can put her in her place."

I laughed genuinely.

The next second, the smile died on my lips.

Because Julian Hayes walked through the door.

His arm was draped around his delicate wife. He pulled out her chair with careful tenderness, looking as if he were terrified she might bump or bruise herself.

Word was that just a year after I left, he married an heiress from an ultra-wealthy family.

Whenever their photos popped up on Instagram, the comment section overflowed with praise about how perfect they were for each other—a true power couple.

By now, Julian had already cemented his place at the top of New York's business elite, taking over his family empire and turning it into a corporate titan.

Of course, having his wife’s powerful family backing him didn't hurt.

Did love grow over time? They certainly looked deeply in love.

My hands clenched the hem of my dress so tightly my knuckles turned white, terrified I might do something humiliating.

"Wait, what's Julian Hayes doing here?"

"Right? He never comes to these reunions."

One classmate kept glancing in my direction, sneering under his breath. "Isn't it obvious?"

"He's here for our former beauty queen."

Was he looking for revenge for the way I publicly humiliated him on his twenty-first birthday five years ago?

Julian's wife settled into her chair, her eyes wandering curiously around the room like everything was a novelty.

Then, she took Julian’s hand and asked softly, "Julian, won't you introduce me? Are all these people your college classmates?

"I'm so glad I came with you. You know my biggest regret is never seeing what you were like in college."

I happened to be sitting right across from them.

Whoever arranged this seating chart, I genuinely hated them.

"These were my classmates back then. Tyler, Luke..." Julian began.

"Oh, Mr. Hayes doesn't need to introduce everyone one by one!" Brittany interrupted, flashing a sycophantic smile. "We can introduce ourselves. I was Julian’s underclassman in our campus society. I'm Brittany Wells."

I glanced at Brittany. Always seizing every opportunity to set a trap for me.

She wore her intentions on her sleeve, shooting me a triumphant smirk right after she spoke.

Within a minute, this ridiculous round of introductions reached my side of the table.

Only then did Julian finally look at me.

His very first glance in my direction since walking through the door.

I kept my voice low and quiet. "Nora. Nora Vance."

I didn't know if my cheeks were burning, but I knew I felt like an absolute clown.

From Julian Hayes's beloved girlfriend to a nameless nobody at a reunion.

Worse, the discarded ex-girlfriend was now forced to introduce herself to his radiant new wife.

Rachel smiled. "I know who you are."

"I saw your picture in an old album Julian threw in the trash."