Chapter 1

Jace Griffin’s handsome face was right in front of me, and he leaned closer. His lips were slightly parted.

His thoughts kept echoing in my ears.

“If I tell her yes and take her out on dates to skip class every day, she will be completely ruined. If it weren’t for Winnie, I wouldn’t bother touching this loser’s hand! Just thinking about it makes me sick.”

I tightened my grip on the bouquet of roses. The thorns dug into my fingers.

So this ten-year-long childhood friendship was not even worth a single tear from Winnie Langford.

Jace was still building up his courage. He was preparing to say that fake “I do.”

I looked past his shoulder and saw a stray dog near a trash bin. It was digging through garbage for food. Its fur was dirty, but its tail was still wagging, and its eyes were clear.

They were clearer than Jace’s.

I turned my wrist. The red roses drew an arc in the air before hitting the trash bin with a loud “thud.”

“Nice shot. A three-pointer.”

Jace froze. His mouth hung open. He looked like he did not know what to say.

I did not even look at him as I walked past the trash bin. There, I bent down and picked up the big golden dog.

“Doggy, from now on, you’re my only one.”

I stroked its fur, and it leaned into my hand.

Its fur was a bit tangled, but a wash would make it a brand-new dog.

Jace finally came back to his senses. His usually charming face instantly twisted in anger.

“Xena, are you crazy?”

He stepped forward and reached out to grab my arm.

“You would rather choose a dog than me? Weren’t you just going to confess to me?”

I moved aside and avoided his hand before brushing imaginary dust off my sleeve with disgust.

“Confess? Who said I was confessing to you?”

I rubbed the dog’s head and smiled brightly.

“I was confessing to the dog. Look how good it is. It doesn’t lie, doesn’t deceive, and never schemes against me.”

Jace’s face turned dark. He gritted his teeth and said, “Xena, stop it. There are so many people here. Show me some respect.”

The students around us had already started whispering. Phone cameras were flashing toward us nonstop.

I glanced at him and smirked.

“Respect? How much is your respect worth? Move. You’re in my way. I’m taking my baby to get a bath.”

With that, I held the dog in my arms and did not look back. I bumped into his shoulder and pushed past him. I walked away in big, fast steps.

Behind me, Jace shouted in anger, “Xena, if you walk out today, don’t come back crying to me!”

I did not stop. I even hummed a song.

Cry to him? Not a chance.

His thoughts came back into my mind again. They were full of mockery and malice.

“She is just acting. She has followed me around ever since we were kids. Playing hard to get? Fine. I’ll see how long she can keep this up. As long as I keep her from studying, Winnie’s spot will be secure.”

I looked down at the dog in my arms. My eyes went completely cold.

If Jace wanted to play, then I would play with him.

But this time, the hunter and the prey would switch places.