Chapter 2

Avery Winters

I stepped out of the elevator and retrieved my luggage.

I picked up the gift I had bought for that ugly idiot and handed it to a random guy walking by.

He hesitated at first, but I insisted until he finally accepted it.

“It was meant for my boyfriend,” I said with a forced smile, “but I just caught him cheating on me with my best friend.”

“Uh… I’m sorry. And thank you,” he replied before walking away.

I was wrong when I said I wasn’t bothered.

Because right now… I was.

The thought of them kissing, sleeping together, and whispering each other’s names made my blood boil.

I trusted both of them.

And this was how they repaid me.

By stabbing me in the back.

I’ll never forgive them for this.

I took a taxi straight to the airport. I needed the earliest flight back to New York.

Luckily, I managed to book one.

As soon as I settled into the back seat of the taxi, my phone rang.

Nathan.

“Avery, you can-“”

“I’m going back to New York today.”

We both spoke at the same time.

“What? Why?” he asked, sounding shocked.

“I caught Lucas cheating on me… with Olivia.”

“That bastard!” Nathan hissed.

“They’re expecting a baby.”

After a brief silence, Nathan spoke again.

“After everything you’ve done for him?” he growled. “Now you see why I kept telling you to stay away from him.”

“Please don’t blame me right now,” I muttered. “Instead, find a way to make him pay. I want him to lose everything. Make his life…. and Olivia’s….. a living hell. I don’t care what you do to them. Just make them pay for hurting me.”

“Trust me,” Nathan said coldly. “The moment we end this call, I’ll make sure they regret ever crossing you. No one hurts my sister without paying the price.”

I nodded unconsciously, even though he couldn’t see me.

“I hope you didn’t cry,” he continued. “Are you okay? Do you want me to come over there?”

He bombarded me with questions.

“I’m already coming back to New York, Nathan. There’s no need for you to come. I’m coming home.” I deliberately emphasized the last word. “Besides… I don’t think he’s worth my tears. Strangely enough, I don’t even feel as heartbroken as I expected. Maybe I was never truly in love with him.”

“Good,” Nathan replied. “Come home. We’ll help you forget him completely.”

“Whatever. Bye.”

I rolled my eyes and ended the call.

A few minutes later, Scarlet started calling.

I could bet Nathan had already told her everything. I ignored the call and switched my phone to silent.

Sighing, I rested my head against the window.

I just didn’t want to talk about Lucas.

It still hurt… Even if I kept pretending it didn’t. I had always believed he was the man I would spend the rest of my life with.

I imagined us getting married… Having children… Growing old together.

Argh!

How could he do this to me?

Lucas Peterson, I swear, I’ll never forgive you.

•

The Next Day

Ever since I left Bahamas yesterday, Lucas hadn’t stopped calling me.

He had flooded my phone with messages, claiming he had always loved me and that Olivia had somehow manipulated him.

What a joke.

As if I would believe such a ridiculous lie.

He only wanted to keep me from ruining his career.

“Girl, you still don’t look any better. You have the same expression you wore yesterday.”

Scarlet walked into my room and made her way toward me.

I had just finished getting dressed and was applying my makeup.

Today was David’s wedding.

Honestly… I wasn’t in the mood.

Nathan practically forced me to attend.

I refused to go to the church ceremony, but I agreed to attend the reception, which he thankfully accepted.

My only plan for tonight was simple.

Get drunk… And forget every bit of my misery.

“So,” Scarlet began as she picked up a comb and started fixing my hair, “is this still about that pathetic excuse of a man, Lucas, and that snake Olivia? Or are you worried Alexander will be there? I heard he’ll be attending the wedding with the boys.”

I shot her a glare through the mirror.

Of all people… Why would she bring Alex up?

Alexander Reed is Nathan’s best friend.

The two of them have been inseparable since childhood.

Along with Ethan Carter, Mason Brooks, and Noah Bennett. They formed a close-knit group known as THE ELITE CIRCLE .

That’s the name they gave themselves while growing up.

They’ve been through countless hardships together and love each other like brothers.

Out of the five, Alexander has always been the leader. The others naturally look up to him.

They’re all billionaires… among the richest bachelors in the world, but Alexander is in an entirely different league.

He’s a trillionaire.

Not only that… He’s also a Mafia leader.

Surprisingly, unlike most mafia organizations, his syndicate doesn’t prey on innocent people. Instead, they protect them.

And because of that, he has made countless powerful enemies.

At least, that’s what I’ve heard.

Truthfully… I don’t know much about him. And I’ve never cared enough to find out.

Mostly because of what happened between us six years ago.

It was my 21st birthday.

Scarlet and I had made a silly promise to get completely drunk once we turned 21.

That night… I met Alexander for the very first time.

Yes, he’s my brother’s best friend, but I had never actually seen him before.

Scarlet had known him for years because she grew up around him.

After I was adopted, the two of us were sent overseas to study while living with Dad’s parents.

That night, I drank far too much.

It was my first time drinking alcohol.

I completely lost control.

The next morning, I woke up beside Alexander Reed.

I couldn’t believe I had lost my virginity to my brother’s best friend.

Still in shock, I quietly slipped out of bed and ran before he could wake up and see me.

Since then, I’ve avoided him like the plague.

He never approached me either.

I doubt he even remembers the woman he spent that night with.

After all… we were both completely drunk. And I barely remember anything myself.

“Stop bringing him up,” I muttered.

By “him,” I meant Alexander.

“Why?” Scarlet shrugged. “No matter how much you deny it, there’s still some kind of connection between you two.”

“Scarlet, enough already. There’s nothing between us. He’ll never find out, okay? It’s been 6 years, and he’s never mentioned it once. That tells me he doesn’t even remember the woman he spent the night with. So please… stop talking about him. I really don’t want to.”

“Okay, okay.” She raised both hands in surrender. “I won’t.”

She paused before adding, “But… are you really ready to go out? You don’t look okay.”

“I’m fine, Scarlet. I can handle this.”

“Are you sure?”

“After all…” I forced a smile. “It’s just Alexander Reed.”

“This isn’t about Alexander,” she corrected softly. “It’s about you.”

I glared at her again.

“Fine,” she laughed. “Let’s finish getting you ready.”

“I’m already dressed.”

“Shut up.” She lightly smacked my arm, making both of us laugh.

I still wasn’t happy… But i would do my best not to let it show.

Tonight… I would drink until I forgot everything.

•

Scarlet and I arrived at the reception right on time.

And guess who the very first person I saw was?

Alex.

For some strange reason… My heart fluttered as soon as my gaze landed on him.

He was talking on the phone, looking as serious as ever. Every bit of the powerful businessman everyone admired.

I had to admit… He was incredibly handsome.

It had been years since I had seen him in person, though his face was constantly splashed across magazine covers and television.

He was the kind of man women fell for at first sight.

The moment his eyes landed on me, he paused. Instead of looking away, his gaze slowly traveled from my head to my feet.

Then he smirked.

My heart skipped a beat at that action.

Asshole.

I grabbed Scarlet’s hand and hurried past him while she happily waved in his direction.

“Did you see that look on his face?” she whispered.

“What look?” I pretended not to understand.

“The one that looked like he wanted to tear your dress off.” She giggled. “Besides, why didn’t you greet him? He’s still our brother’s best friend, regardless of what happened between you two.”

“Scarlet,” I sighed, “we didn’t come here for one of your lectures, did we?”

“No.”

She grinned.

“But it wouldn’t hurt to smile more. You look miserable.”

“Scarlet, you-”

“Come on! Let’s find Nathan and the newlyweds.”

She cut me off before dragging me along.

After scanning the hall for a few moments, we finally spotted The Elite Circle gathered with David and his beautiful bride.

“There they are!” Scarlet announced excitedly.

“Hi, David. Congratulations on your wedding.”

I handed him the gift Scarlet and I had bought.

“Thank you, Avery. I’m glad you both came.”

He smiled warmly before turning to the beautiful woman beside him.

“This is my wife. Babe, these are Nathan’s younger sisters.”

“Claire,” she introduced herself with a smile.

“Avery.”

“Scarlet.”

Scarlet and I smiled back.

She seemed genuinely sweet.

I already liked her.

“Oh my! Is this really our little Avery?” Ethan exclaimed dramatically.

I rolled my eyes immediately.

“You can’t seriously expect me to stay a child forever, old man.”

“You’ll always be a kid to us,” Mason teased, making everyone laugh.

“In your dreams.”

I pointed at each of them one by one…. including Nathan.

“You all should stop living your Casanova lifestyles and go get married already.”

“No thanks,” Noah laughed. “Staying single is the best decision. I’ll never tie myself down to one woman for the rest of my life.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the hurt expression on Scarlet’s face.

Was there something going on between those two that I didn’t know about?

“Whatever.” I rolled my eyes again, earning another round of laughter from them.

Bunch of idiots.

After that, I looked around, admiring the elegant decorations and a small smile slowly crept onto my lips.

Then suddenly, something caught my attention.

David’s younger sister, Amelia, was standing alone in a corner.

I frowned at her discreetly pouring a strange powder into a glass of wine.

Poison?

A drug?

I couldn’t tell.

My curiosity instantly turned into alarm.

Moments later, she walked toward David and Claire, handing the tampered drink to Claire.

Oh no.

“Congratulations once again, dear brother,” Amelia said cheerfully.

David hugged her and kissed her cheek. Then both he and Claire lifted their glasses.

My heart dropped immediately.

“STOP!” I screamed.