Chapter 2

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Serena gave a quiet scoff, as if I'd told the funniest joke she'd heard all year.

"Adrian, if you're going to lie, at least make it believable.

"Do you even believe such a ridiculous lie yourself?"

One of our old classmates, now an employee at her firm, immediately joined in.

"Exactly. Rent a luxury car, put on some knockoff designer clothes, and suddenly you're supposed to be a wealthy heir?"

Low laughter broke out again.

"For a second I thought he'd actually married well."

"Probably found some older rich woman with a little money."

My hands curled into fists.

Before I could answer, a sharp male voice rang out.

"Adrian Cole!"

Fast footsteps crossed the lobby.

A fist smashed into my face.

My head snapped to the side.

Copper filled my mouth.

Jason Reed stood in front of me, eyes red, gripping my collar.

"How do you still have the nerve to come after Serena?

"We're engaged!

"Why can't you leave her alone?"

I raised my arm to hit him back.

Serena stepped between us.

She frowned.

"Adrian. Stop."

For a moment, I thought I had misheard.

I was the one who had been punched.

Yet she was shielding the person who struck first and telling me not to cause trouble.

Jason's eyes flashed with satisfaction.

Then he lunged again, grabbed my collar, and shouted:

"Do you have any shame at all?

"You chased Serena nonstop in college.

"You knew we grew up together and still forced your way between us.

"And now, after all these years, you've followed her to her firm?"

He hit me several more times.

The lobby exploded.

"This is terrifying."

"How many years has it been and he's still harassing Serena?"

"Her fiancé is the real victim here."

Several people pulled out their phones.

One camera was nearly pressed into my face.

"Make sure you get this."

"You don't see a homewrecker turn up at the office to harass an engaged woman every day."

"Didn't he chase Serena first back in college too?"

"Guess being a simp really does leave you with nothing."

The voices crashed over me like waves.

The moment I tried to fight back, Jason slipped behind Serena.

"Serena..."

He sounded suddenly fragile.

"I'm scared.

"Is he trying to take you away from me?"

People around us immediately started reassuring him.

"Don't worry, Jason. Serena would never choose a guy like that."

"Everyone knows she grew up with you. You're the one she loves most."

"Some people seriously don't know their place."

I almost laughed.

Five years ago, when Jason killed my mother, Serena stood exactly like this.

Between him and me.

Protecting him.

As if I were the one who had done something wrong.

I should have been used to it by now.

Serena looked down at me and spoke with the tone of someone offering charity.

"Adrian, apologize now.

"Promise you won't lie or cause trouble again.

"I'll clean this up for you."

I stared at her.

The absurdity of it nearly made me dizzy.

I hadn't lied.

I hadn't harassed her.

I hadn't caused the scene.

And she still spoke to me as if I were begging for mercy.

I laughed, though my eyes were burning.

"Serena, you disgust me."

Did she honestly think I would never hit a woman?

An enemy was an enemy.

I raised my hand and slapped her across the face.