Chapter 1

Avery Winters

“Miss, we’re here,” the driver said.

I smiled at him, paid the fare, and even gave him an extra tip before stepping out of the car. I was simply too happy today.

Tomorrow is my boyfriend’s and my fourth anniversary, so I decided to surprise him with a visit.

He has no idea I’m coming all the way from New York to the Bahamas just to surprise him.

Call me crazy for risking so much because of a guy, but when you fall in love someday, you’ll understand.

Four years in a relationship isn’t easy, especially these days when relationships and marriages fall apart so easily.

I’m grateful that we’ve managed to keep ours strong and remain faithful to each other.

My name is Avery Winters. I had a happy family until I was eleven years old, fifteen years ago, when my parents were involved in a terrible accident. They both died on the spot.

I was devastated. It felt like my whole world had come to an end.

Then my best friend Scarlet’s parents legally adopted me as their daughter.

From the very first day I became part of their family, they treated me like their own child— more like a little princess. I have never regretted becoming a member of one of the most prestigious and influential Winters family in the country.

And I will forever be grateful to them for taking me in.

I smiled to myself as I stood in front of the Cole Hotel in Bahamas.

Just as I reached for my luggage and the gift box I planned to give Lucas, my phone began to ring.

“Hey, Nathan,” I answered excitedly.

Jonathan is my older brother. Well, not by blood, but I consider him my real brother since I’m already part of the family.

Our family consists of Mom, Dad, Jonathan, Sarah—who comes after Nathan, then Scarlet, who used to be my best friend but is now my sister, and finally, me.

“Where are you?” he asked, sounding annoyed.

“Bahamas,” I answered truthfully.

Judging by his tone, he already knew where I was.

There was no point lying.

Nathan has always been a sweet, caring, and protective brother, but sometimes he can be incredibly annoying.

He’s overprotective… and a little possessive.

“You’re there to see that bastard again?” he cursed.

“He’s not a bastard, Nathan. He has a name. Besides, tomorrow is our anniversary,” I whined.

He has never liked Lucas. In fact, he despises him.

He’s always complaining about him, insisting Lucas doesn’t love me and is only using me.

I know why he thinks that.

After all, I was the reason Lucas got this far. I helped him secure a high-paying job through my connections.

If he had really been taking advantage of me, he would have left me a long time ago, especially after landing one of the biggest jobs in the country.

There’s no way he would have stayed with me for four whole years if his feelings weren’t genuine.

“After tomorrow, come back home. I don’t want you spending another night over there,” Nathan said.

“No. I’m staying with him for at least three weeks. Besides, Dad already gave me his permission,” I pouted, even though he couldn’t see me.

“Don’t make me cancel your credit card, Avery!” he threatened.

“But I—”

“It’s David’s wedding tomorrow. You have to be there.”

David is one of Nathan’s friends— not even his best friend.

I honestly don’t understand why I have to attend his wedding or why Nathan is insisting so much.

“I don’t have to go to his wedding! You’re not the one getting married, Nathan!” I complained.

“Be there tomorrow. Don’t make me do something you’ll regret.”

And with that, he ended the call.

I sighed and picked up my luggage before walking into the hotel.

I tried calling Lucas, but he didn’t answer.

Strange.

That’s unlike him.

He always answers my calls before the second ring.

I dialed his number again.

Still nothing.

My eyes wandered around the lobby, hoping to catch a glimpse of him.

Then suddenly… My eyes widened in disbelief.

Olivia?

My heart began pounding.

What’s she doing here?

Olivia is one of my best friends.

Scarlet, Olivia, and I have been inseparable since grade school.

We were like the Three Musketeers.

In fact, we spoke on the phone this morning, and she told me she would be spending three weeks with her aunt in Chicago.

Is this… her aunt’s house?

Is this her so-called Chicago?

I watched as she stood near the elevator, happily talking to someone on the phone.

A few seconds later, the elevator doors opened.

My breath caught in my throat.

Lucas stepped out.

And… Oh my God.

They kissed.

The gift box slipped from my hand and hit the floor, but I didn’t even notice.

I waited for them to pull apart.

They didn’t.

They kept kissing as they walked back into the elevator together.

Before the doors could close, I ran over and thrust my hand between them, forcing them back open.

They both looked at me.

Lucas’s eyes widened in horror.

“A-Avery?”

He looked terrified.

Olivia, on the other hand, didn’t look guilty at all.

Didn’t she realize I had just caught her kissing my boyfriend?

“How are you here?” she asked casually.

The way she sounded so calm and unbothered made my blood boil, but I forced myself to stay composed.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” I replied coldly. “Is this your aunt’s house? Is this the Chicago you told me you were going to?”

She didn’t respond, she just rolled her eyes, while I stepped into the elevator with them.

The atmosphere instantly became tense and painfully awkward.

Well… Maybe only for Lucas.

Olivia looked far too relaxed for my liking.

“How long has this been going on behind my back?” I asked.

“3 years and four months,” Olivia answered without hesitation.

“Olivia, please…” Lucas warned.

3 years and four months?

That meant they started seeing each other just 6 months after Lucas and I began dating.

I couldn’t believe this had been happening right under my nose.

“Why are you stopping me?” She scoffed. “Besides, you never loved her. You were only with her because of her connections. Now that you’ve secured the biggest position in the company, you don’t need her anymore.”

Her words pierced my heart, I swear.

Nathan had been right all along.

Lucas really was nothing but a filthy opportunist.

“A-Avery, I… It’s not what you think…”

“Congratulations to both of you,” I interrupted. “And you, Lucas… we’re done. It’s over.”

“Avery, please. We can talk about this. Just let me explain-”

“You were one of the best friends I ever had.”

I turned to Olivia and slapped her hard across the face, catching her completely off guard. “You really took me for a fool all these years.”

I smiled bitterly after saying that.

“Avery, please. You need to know that-”

“Lucas stop making her feel so important,” Olivia cut him off with a scoff. “Just tell her we’re expecting our first child together. She needs to know her place.”

“What?”

“Yes, you heard me. I’m pregnant with his baby.”

I stared into her eyes and all I could see was hatred… and jealousy.

I couldn’t believe I had once called her my best friend.

She had been an enemy disguised as one.

I had always loved and trusted her… And this was how she repaid me after everything I had done for her.

Just then, the elevator doors opened.

Lucas hesitated to step out, but I motioned for both of them to leave.

What surprised me most was how calm I remained.

The Avery I knew would have caused a scene.

So why wasn’t I screaming?

Why wasn’t I crying?

I was hurting… Yet not a single tear fell.

Why?

Just before Olivia stepped out of the elevator, I shoved her hard from behind.

She lost her balance and crashed onto the floor with a painful cry.

She groaned in agony.

But I didn’t care.

“I hope you die.”