Chapter 1

I'm known as Jack Wilson's number one doormat.

Jack, the most popular guy in school and a notorious playboy, only keeps me around because I look somewhat like his dream girl, Emma Frost. He chased after Emma for two years, but she always looked down on him and eventually went abroad.

Now, Jack uses every opportunity to humiliate me, his substitute. It's his way of getting revenge on Emma, taking out his frustrations on me. Despite this treatment, I still take care of him and comply with his every whim.

He once asked me, "Why are you so good to me? What are you after?"

I couldn't help but laugh. What could I possibly want from him?

"I want your heart, of course!" I replied.

"My heart? Now that's asking for too much!" he scoffed.

What Jack doesn't know is that I'm after his actual heart - his physical organ - not his affection for me.

I pushed open the door to the bar's private room, carrying a birthday cake. All eyes turned to me as the noise inside suddenly died down.

Jack, with his arm around a girl in a mini skirt, spoke impatiently, "What took you so long to buy a cake? Everyone's been waiting to celebrate Chloe's birthday."

I set the cake down on the table and smoothed my wind-tousled hair. "There was some traffic," I explained.

My response was met with a round of mockery from the others.

"Jack, man, you've got her so well-trained!"

"I need to learn your secrets, bro!"

Ever since I transferred to Southern University in my junior year to be close to Jack, his friends have called me his doormat. They say I changed schools just for him.

They're right about that part...

They also say Jack only agreed to be with me because I look somewhat like Emma Frost. Emma was his dream girl, the one he chased for two years without success before she went abroad.

Jack opened the cake box and lit the candles. He pulled Chloe close and told her to make a wish.

"I wish Jack would take me to see the ocean," Chloe said dreamily.

Someone teased, "Saying it out loud means it won't come true!"

Chloe turned to Jack with her big, beautiful eyes. "Jack, do you think my wish will come true?"

Jack kissed her cheek and glanced at me from the corner of his eye. "Of course it will. We'll go this Saturday."

He added with a mischievous grin, "We'll camp on the beach overnight. I'll bring a tent to set up on the sand."

Chloe shyly kissed Jack in return.

Jack then turned to me, sitting in the corner. "Sophia, make sure you buy a tent before Saturday."

"Okay," I replied.

"And get a thick, soft mat too. Chloe's delicate skin won't be able to handle lying directly on the ground."

"Alright," I agreed.

The group erupted in laughter.

"Now that's a dedicated doormat! She'll agree to anything!"

"Jack, you've got some serious skills!"

Chloe nestled into Jack's arms, embarrassed.

I stared at the spot over Jack's heart. He shouldn't let Chloe lean there. That's mine...

A sharp pain shot through my chest. I closed my eyes, fighting back tears.

The reason I stay by Jack's side is because I like being close to his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. It's a soothing remedy for my pain, a comfort during sleepless nights of agony.

After they finished singing, the group decided to go for hot pot. I followed behind Jack.

When I saw Chloe pour Jack a glass of beer, I quickly took it away. "The doctor said you can't drink alcohol."

Jack looked up at me, sitting across from him. "If I can't drink it, then you drink it!"

The others chimed in, "Yeah, Jack said so. Drink up!"

I didn't want to drink, but seeing Jack's displeased expression, I picked up the glass and downed it in one go. I never upset him, not even the slightest bit.

The doctor had said his emotions shouldn't fluctuate too much.

Seeing him reach for the spicy broth, I reminded him, "You also can't eat spicy or stimulating food."

Someone teased, "Jack, she's already acting like a nagging wife before you're even married!"

Jack raised an eyebrow. "Who said I was going to eat it? Our Chloe loves spicy food."

He picked up a slice of lamb and fed it to Chloe.

The group laughed again. "Jack likes hot and sexy girls like Chloe. Much better than the plain and boring type!"

The speaker glanced at me as he said this.

"Jack's got great taste, that's for sure!"

...