Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Red Flags in Plain Sight

I sat quietly on my father’s leather couch, listening to his endless lectures. He kept reminding me to be careful about what I show in public—how people with bad intentions might take advantage of our wealth and power, especially since I refuse to have personal bodyguards. As if I’m the president’s daughter or something, I thought.

I’m just a woman trying to live freely before I end up exactly like my mother—trapped in a loveless marriage.

“Would you like to know who your fiancé is?” Dad suddenly changed the subject. He must have noticed I wasn’t listening.

I let out a long, heavy breath. “No,” I answered flatly.

“Maybe you’ll get along,” he said, sounding almost concerned. “Maybe you’ll grow to like him in time.”

That only made me wonder all the more.

“I’m walking the same path as Mom,” I told him. “I don’t see any difference. I’ll play my part willingly. I’ll give him an heir, and we’ll live separate lives doing whatever pleases us—just like you and her.”

Dad stared at me, stunned.

I raised an eyebrow. “I grew up watching the two of you act like you don’t even share a home. What else am I supposed to expect? A fairy‑tale family? That’s too good to be true for people like us.”

He rubbed his temples. “Don’t you ever hope for something different? What if I’ve finally learned to love your mother after all these years?”

I scoffed. “You’re unbelievable! You’re telling me this now? Let me remind you, Dad—you’ve always been too busy with work… and other women.”

He started to protest, but I held up a hand to stop him. I had more to say. “I won’t tell Mom about any of it. She wouldn’t care anyway. She’d be more upset if Porsha fell ill.”

I was talking about her poodle—who gets treated better than I ever was.

Dad blinked, clearly caught off guard. “She doesn’t care?” he repeated, as if he couldn’t believe his own ears.

“Tell me—when has she ever truly cared about you?”

My words hit him hard. I saw a flicker of sadness cross his face. My own brow furrowed in confusion. We really are strangers in this house. I’ve never seen them have a real conversation—only ever speaking to arrange things for me, and never for more than five minutes at a time. The last time they spoke properly was two months ago.

We’re further apart than strangers.

Mom prefers living with Grandpa Eli. Even now, years into their marriage, she only stays here when Dad is in the country. When he leaves for business, I move back to the mansion too. I’ve grown used to this life. I’ve stopped hoping for something better. Maybe I just don’t deserve a loving family.

“But I care about her,” Dad blurted out suddenly.

“Since when? Are you forgetting we’re all strangers under this roof?”

He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. He studied me for a long moment. “You wouldn’t understand anyway,” he said bluntly. “Go enjoy your freedom while you can. But once you’re done playing, you have no choice but to follow the rules our families have lived by for centuries.”

With that, I enrolled in college—not to study, but to follow him. It’s Leonard Cohen Smidth’s final year. He had to repeat a semester to clear back subjects.

Scanning the list of most decorated varsity players on campus, his name never misses. My cousin Tyler is there too—annoying as ever.

But my eyes are fixed only on Leon.

Leonard Cohen Smidth.

One look from him and you already know why people flock to him so willingly. He sees right through you.

I’ve been watching him. It’s not hard—especially when he’s always with Tyler. They’re both notorious heartbreakers, yet he’s never once looked my way. He’s always watching who approaches him, while I stay hidden in the shadows, observing every move he makes.

I don’t know why I crave someone like him. He’s a walking, breathing red flag. No one stays with him, and he never runs out of women chasing after him.

They throw themselves at him. Some even save their virginity just for a chance with him. And I’m not ashamed to admit—I’m one of them.

That’s my goal.

I want him to be my first.

Not because people say he’s wild in bed—but because I want him. Never in my life have I craved anyone’s attention. But the moment I saw him, I only wanted his.

So many men have tried to get close to me. But I only want him.

I swirled the drink the bartender had set before me. Sometimes I wish I had friends—someone to laugh and share silly things with—but I’d rather be alone. I can’t pretend to like people just to feel less lonely.

And besides… how do I even approach Leon? With so many women already circling him, why would he notice me?

“Not in the mood for a drink?” a voice asked beside me.

Men usually keep their distance because I always shut them down. I lifted my brow, ready to snap at whoever it was—but every sharp word dissolved on my tongue.

Standing right in front of me was the man I’d only watched from afar. I blinked. Am I imagining things?

A wicked, knowing grin curved his lips.

The bartender handed him a drink. He took it and sipped slowly, never once breaking eye contact.

My heart hammered against my ribs. It felt like it would burst out and confess everything I was feeling. Butterflies swirled wildly in my stomach just from the way he looked at me.

He leaned in closer. Without thinking, I followed.

The next thing I knew—his lips were on mine. He slipped a cold piece of ice into my mouth with a kiss, then pulled back with a smirk.

Was this his way of asking?

Oh my god. The ice was freezing… yet I felt like I was burning up.

“My place or yours?” he asked smoothly, like he already knew my answer.

I smiled back. “Mine.”

We ended up at my penthouse—it was closer to the club. On the way, he asked for my name.

“Just call me Ava,” I said simply.

“What if I want to call you Sloan?”

I rolled my eyes. “You won’t remember it anyway. With all the women you meet, you probably don’t keep track of names.”

He chuckled as he parked the car. “I know everyone. You’re Tyler’s cousin, aren’t you?”

I scoffed, undoing my seatbelt. I’m well‑known in social circles—of course he’d know. Especially since Tyler is famous for nothing but trouble.

“Does that mean I get special treatment?”

He laughed. “I don’t make exceptions.”

“Good,” I told him. “Neither do I.”

I stepped out first. I didn’t expect him to open the door—that’s not who he is. Chivalry is dead with this man. But why do I still want him so badly?

I walked silently toward the elevator, feeling him follow close behind. I stepped in first.

I expected him to stand beside me. Instead, he pinned me against the wall the moment the doors slid shut and claimed my mouth like it was his.

His lips were soft, demanding, unyielding—but I kissed him back just as gently.

The hungry lion seemed to calm. He pulled me closer and deepened the kiss. My head spun. I wasn’t drunk—but his kisses made me willing to give him everything I had.

Do all the women before me feel this way? But I’ve never seen him kiss anyone like this!

A soft moan escaped my throat when he swept his tongue into my mouth, tasting every corner. It felt perfect. He really would be perfect for my first time.

Just one kiss… and I was already his.

His hands wandered from my waist up to my chest. Warm palms sent shivers down my spine, especially when he brushed over my breast and teased my nipple gently.

“Leon…” I breathed his name just as the elevator stopped.

I prayed no one would tell Dad about this.

When the doors opened, I pushed him away in a panic. Standing there were Rose and Saint.

They’d clearly been waiting for the lift—and were shocked to catch us in that moment. Rose’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.

Who could blame her? I’m known as the untouchable socialite—always seen at the fanciest events, always leaving alone.

I felt Leon’s grip tighten on my waist as he looked back over his shoulder. Before I could burn with embarrassment, I pulled away and hurried out. I didn’t expect him to follow.

I needed to be alone.

For the first time, I felt truly ashamed. It was my first kiss… and an audience had watched it happen.

I barely slept for days thinking about it. I was so close to having him—and then nothing.

When he started managing one of their family companies, he traveled constantly. So I quit college and followed him everywhere. I used my “influencer lifestyle” as my cover.

I chased him because I had nothing else to fill my days but spending money. And even abroad, women still threw themselves at him. He never turned them down.

Wasn’t he afraid? What if someone gave him something contagious?

But then again—neither is my cousin Tyler. He’s living proof. It’s like he can’t survive without a woman in his bed.

Is Leon just playing games too?

As time passed, his appetite only seemed to grow. I even heard he’d been with two women at once!

Good heavens. Why am I still chasing this man?

It’s obvious he doesn’t do serious.

But then again—neither do I. I just watch him from a distance, memorizing every move, wondering what goes through his mind. In all the time I’ve followed him, I’ve learned so much.

When his brow furrows, he’s annoyed. When he’s about to lose his temper, he goes quiet. When he’s happy, he laughs easily. And I think he looks most devastatingly handsome when he’s hard at work.

He always has a cup of coffee beside him and soft music playing in his earphones. He hates being disturbed—interrupt him and he’ll scowl like a moody girl.

I find it so cute.

I want to walk up to him… but I keep my distance, hiding where I can watch him, smiling foolishly at every little thing he does.