Chapter 1

"Vivian, what's wrong? You look terrible."

Ethan Sullivan, Vivian Hartley's childhood friend, walked in carrying two cups of coffee. His white lab coat did little to hide his tall, handsome frame and refined features, giving him an effortlessly polished and composed appearance.

One cup in his hand had a heart drawn in the foam, while the other was plain.

Vivian watched as Ethan placed the cup with the heart in front of her before setting the other down at Chloe Anderson's workstation.

The gesture was nothing out of the ordinary. Everyone in the lab knew that Ethan and Vivian had grown up together and had been close for 18 years, while he'd known Chloe for only four years, ever since they started college.

People often joked that Ethan and Vivian were practically a couple already and that all it would take was for one of them to finally make the first move.

"Someone copied and deleted my raw data folder." Vivian's voice was hoarse as she continued, "Ethan, you were the only one in the lab last night."

Ethan didn't get defensive or angry at the accusation. Instead, he calmly tried to reason with her.

"Vivian, we're not even working in the same research area. Besides, I have the highest GPA in the department, so one of the two spots is practically guaranteed to go to me. Not to mention, we've known each other for 18 years. You know I'd never do something like that to you."

Vivian instinctively glanced toward Chloe's workstation.

Everyone in the department knew that Ethan was a shoo-in for one of the two spots. The remaining spot would go to either Vivian or Chloe.

But Chloe hadn't even been in the lab the night before.

"Maybe I saved everything in the wrong folder," Vivian said helplessly. "I'm going to get some air. I'll check again when I get back."

Just then, George Williams, one of Ethan's friends, stopped by to invite him to lunch. His eyes fell on the empty folder open on Vivian's computer screen.

"I just saw Chloe submitting her graduate school application in the main building. You gave her that data, didn't you?" he teased, grinning. "You've only known Chloe for four years, yet you stole your childhood sweetheart's research data for her. Come on, admit it. You've got a thing for Chloe, don't you?"

George then lowered his voice and warned him, "You'd better be careful. If Vivian ever finds out, she'll never forgive you. We all know her grandfather is barely hanging on, just waiting to hear whether she gets into graduate school."

Ethan brushed off the teasing and replied seriously, "Don't be ridiculous. I just feel sorry for Chloe.

"Her family is struggling financially, and both her parents are sick. She needs to get into this university's graduate program and secure a full scholarship so she can continue her studies while taking care of her family. It's her only way out.

"Vivian's situation is different. Sure, Grandpa Edward's greatest wish is to see her get into graduate school, but Vivian doesn't have the same family responsibilities. She can find a job right away or try again next year."

Ethan then swore, "If Vivian ever finds out the truth, I'll make it up to her. I just hope she won't hold it against Chloe."

Neither of them knew that Vivian was standing just outside the lab, her face deathly pale.

She had hurried back with a container of freshly made, piping-hot chicken stew for Ethan, only to overhear their conversation. Half the stew had spilled onto her arms, and the scalding liquid had brought tears to her eyes.

Meanwhile, George continued to press him.

"But we're graduating next month. You're going to have to make things official with Vivian eventually, aren't you? Honestly, Chloe likes you too. She's just too insecure to work up the courage to tell you."

Ethan tapped his fingers lightly against the desk, his brows furrowing as though he were pondering a difficult research question.

"Vivian has loved me since we were kids. Her love is sincere, passionate, and impossible to miss. It makes me feel secure, but sometimes, the intensity of it feels like a burden.

"Chloe's affection is different. She quietly does all sorts of little things for me, pays attention to every detail, and remembers all my preferences. But sometimes, that kind of understated affection leaves me wanting more.

"So why should I have to choose between them? Things are perfectly fine the way they are, and I'm happy with how things stand. Besides, I still have graduate school ahead of me. Who knows? Maybe there's an even better woman waiting for me down the road."

Vivian watched Ethan's face as he spoke, taking in the same focused expression she'd secretly admired countless times and committed to memory.

She had always loved how calm and serious he was. But now, listening to him discuss matters of the heart as though they were academic problems requiring careful analysis, she felt a chill run through her to the bone. The man before her suddenly seemed like a stranger.

After 18 years by his side, she'd imagined countless times what it would be like to marry Ethan, build a family together, and raise children of their own. But all those dreams had been nothing more than wishful thinking.

Just like Chloe, she was nothing more than Ethan's backup option.

Just then, Vivian's phone rang. She hurried into the stairwell to answer it, only to hear her mother speaking frantically on the other end.

"Vivian, how much longer until the graduate school recommendation list is announced? You're definitely getting one of the spots, right?" Margaret Sterling asked anxiously.

"Your grandfather almost didn't make it just now. The first thing he asked when he regained consciousness was whether you'd gotten your graduate school recommendation."

The stairwell door swung open.

Ethan had followed Vivian after hearing the commotion. When he overheard what her mother was saying, he quietly sat down beside her on the stairs and took the phone from her hand.

"Don't worry, Grandpa Edward. Vivian is definitely getting one of the spots," Ethan assured him in a calm, confident voice. "I guarantee it."

Edward Hartley's condition finally stabilized after hearing those words, allowing Margaret to breathe a sigh of relief. She thanked Ethan profusely before ending the call.

Vivian turned to look at Ethan. Seeing how he'd reassured her grandfather, she decided to give him one last chance.

"Do you really want me to get into the graduate program?" she asked.

"Of course I do. Grandpa Edward has always treated me so well, and his greatest wish is to see you get into graduate school. Naturally, I want that for you too."

Vivian gave him one last chance to come clean.

"You were in the lab all day yesterday. Are you absolutely sure you have no idea who copied my files?"

Ethan frowned, clearly displeased by her continued suspicion.

"Vivian, I'm the one person in this world you should never suspect."

Vivian didn't say another word. Instead, she headed straight to the security office alone.

During the summer of her sophomore year, Vivian had worked on a confidential research project under her advisor's supervision. Because of the project's sensitive nature, the university had specifically installed a separate security camera to monitor her workstation.

The footage clearly showed that at 2:17 am, Ethan had walked over to her desk, plugged in a USB drive, and copied all her data. The entire process took less than three minutes.

After removing the USB drive, he pulled out his phone and sent a message.

Vivian zoomed in on the screen and saw that the message had been sent to Chloe.

She took a screenshot of the final frame and sent it to Ethan.

"I'm asking you for the third time. Are you still going to tell me you have no idea who copied my files?"