CHAPTER ONE.

CHAPTER ONE

CAROLINE BLAKE

“He’s going to propose tonight,” Nora reveals with a big smile.

I freeze, “W – what?”

“It’s supposed to be a big surprise, but Ronal is going to propose tonight. You’re done with Medical School, and he believes it’s time to start your lives together. Oh, I’m so pumped!” She is giddy, eyes bright and cheeks flushed with delight.

“Oh, that’s amazing.” I nod, keeping the smile on my face.

Getting married has always been a dream. After almost a decade, I’m finally done with medical school. The next thing I want to do isn’t get married. I have given so much up for Ronal. I’m in this city because of him. I prefer London, and definitely not the overhyped coffees and expensive boutiques of New York. 

“Come on, let’s get our dresses,” Nora grabs my hand and leads me back into the boutique.

I let her pull me, my thoughts lagging. I bump into someone hard enough to steal the air from my lungs. Goosebumps ripple across my skin.

“Oh, oh, I’m so sorry.” I gasp, cheeks pickening in embarrassment.

The man only nods and walks past me, tall, broad-shouldered, dark hair disappearing into the crowd without a word.

“He’s hot.” Nora grins, and I roll my eyes, but my pulse doesn’t settle.

We pick up our dresses and walk out of the boutique.

“You have everything planned for tonight, the dress and the shoes. I have to meet a client now, but we’ll see tonight?” She glances at her wristwatch, impatient.

Nora is an Interior Designer and has accumulated many high-class clients. She’s good at what she does. It’s one of the reasons she’s my best friend.

“Alright, see you soon.” I kiss her cheek, and she hails a cab.

Rather than going home to an empty apartment, I head to the closest coffee shop. Ronal and I have been together for four years now. He stood by me through exams, sleepless nights and breakdowns. An engagement could be good. It’s time for a new chapter anyway.

Then, what am I doing here?

I don’t have to wait till evening to see him. 

I can see him now.

Excited, I jump up, grab my bags and rush outside, only to bump into someone, again.

“I’m so sorry –” The apology spills from my mouth, then dies out when I see it’s the man from the boutique.

He narrows his gaze at me, a smirk on his lips, before stepping aside without a word, letting me walk past. 

My heart pounds hard as I walk away. I resist every urge to look back at him. I hail a cab and get in. As I am driven away, I can’t help but look back, steal a glance. 

I push away every thought from my head and focus on getting to the Penthouse. My pulse throbs loudly, and my heart hammers wildly in my chest. My chest is filled with warmth, something that feels like butterflies and happiness.

Ronal has always been there for me. 

I jump out of the cab, pay, and head to the lobby. I find it deserted, so I just head to the elevator, excited. 

Moments later, I step out and use my key to enter his apartment.

He’s not in the living room, but I can hear sounds coming from the bedroom. He’s probably on a call with one of his business partners. He’s always working.

Carefully, I drop the bags on the couch and slip into the red lace I bought earlier. My hands tremble as I fix my hair.

Satisfied, I strut towards the bedroom.

I find the door ajar and step forward with a grin.

“Do you really have to propose to her tonight?”

Nora’s voice stops me cold. 

“You know I do.” Ronal responds, “We’re playing the long game, remember? Everything will be over soon, and a proposal doesn’t change what we are. You’re everything to me, Nora. She’s just a placeholder, and very soon, I’ll send her packing!” 

I blink, confused, because I still haven’t processed what I just heard.

“I don’t know how you stand her.” Nora laughs, “She’s so disgusting, with her self-righteousness and greed. She thinks about herself alone, very narcissistic. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when we’ve taken everything she has.”

My ears ring.

“Let’s stop talking about Caroline.” Ronal grins.

“Yeah, what do we do?” 

Bile rushes through me at her sultry voice.

I watch in horror as my best friend straddles my boyfriend. Mortification freezes me in place as they get naked. Everything shatters as they start fucking.

“Oh, yes, yes, baby.” She groans, slamming down on his cock over and over.

My whole body trembles as I take a step backwards. My eyes sting with tears. 

Everything was a lie. Everything.

I trusted them. I loved them. I told them everything about me, and this is what I get for my loyalty?

A sob tears out of me, and my vision blurs. I grab a coat, wrap it around myself, and run out of the apartment.

The pain overwhelms me, and I want to die.

The two people I trusted the most. The people I loved the most. They know me, and yet, they still chose to hurt me.

The air feels like glass in my lungs. Disgust coils in my stomach, and anger claws its way up.

I run out of the building and into a cab.

It drops me in front of a club. Night has swallowed the city whole. I walk to the bar and order the strongest booze.

They need to pay for what they’ve done.

I look around the bar, and I see him.