Chapter 1

Cillian's POV

I stared at the photo for so long that the image eventually blurred before my eyes.

My phone buzzed, and the class group chat blew up.

"When did those two get together? Not going to lie, Marcus is really hot!"

"Celine is gorgeous too, but isn't she Cillian's girlfriend?"

"Is this a love triangle…"

I felt a sharp pang in my chest.

Unable to control myself, I pulled up my chat with Marcus Cross and demanded, "Have you and Celine become a thing now?"

He didn't reply.

I dialed Celine Waverly's number.

The phone rang for a mere dozen seconds, but it felt like an eternity to me.

The call connected, and Celine's voice came through. "What's the matter, Cill?"

I forced myself to sound calm. "Where are you? I have something to ask you."

I had severe rhinitis, and whenever I got emotional, my voice would turn hoarse.

Celine would always bring me chamomile tea and search for ways to make me feel better.

Yet, now, after hearing my hoarse voice, panic crept into hers. "What's wrong? Is your throat acting up again?"

"Have you become a thing with Marc—"

Before I could finish, she gasped. Her breathing suddenly quickened. "Cill, I'm busy right now... I'll call you back later!"

I was hung up on. I went rigid, and my mind went blank.

Even though she had hung up real quickly, I still caught a man's devilish chuckle. It was Marcus' voice.

All the blood in my body rushed to my head in an instant. I dialed Celine's number again, but no one picked up.

Before I knew it, I'd stormed out of my dorm.

Marcus lived in a gated community. He had personally entered my information into the security system at the entrance.

I'd been pleasantly surprised. Yet, he'd laughed heartily and smacked me on the shoulder. "I'm afraid you'll let some woman wrap you around her little finger. From now on, my home is your safety net!"

However, here I am, standing in Marcus' home with tears streaming down my face.

The thuds and panting drifting from the bedroom hit me like a sledgehammer. I flung the bedroom door open.

Marcus was pulling up his pants. Looking at me, he arched his brow and smirked. "Oops. Looks like we've been caught red-handed."

"Cill, it's not what it looks like..." Celine hurriedly explained on the bed.

Unfortunately, I couldn't hear a thing. I barely stared blankly at the wedding photo on the wall.

Previously, I'd come across a video of someone else's wedding photoshoot and casually told her how envious I was.

Celine hadn't said much at the time, but the next day, she'd given me a tie. She blushed a little under my astonished gaze.

"I can't afford to buy you a whole suit right now, so you'll have to settle for a tie, Cillian. Once I start making money, I'll buy you the finest suit there is and make you the most handsome groom in the world!"

Now, I was reduced to a mere witness to their wedding photo. Her pristine white wedding gown pricked at my eyes like needles.

I barged in and hurled the photo to the floor like a madman. The glass shattered and dug into my palm. In a heartbeat, blood gushed out.

Celine seized my wrist and fretted, "Have you lost your mind? You'll hurt yourself!"

I shoved her away and bellowed, "Don't touch me!"

Marcus walked up to me shirtless, looking like he wanted to say something, but couldn't find the right words.

My heart was riddled with holes, and the pain turned into the most vicious words I could spit out.

"How does it feel to sleep with your best friend's girlfriend? Why do you insist on stealing my girlfriend, you piece of trash?" I gritted out.

He was caught off guard for a moment before raising his hand and punching me square in the face. "Why are you being such a little bitch about this, Cillian?" he sneered.