She Plans 100 Hookups, I Plan Euthanasia

Noticing what I'd done, Juliet Stone grew tense and dropped into a half-kneel before me. "Is your heart acting up? You've got an artificial heart, and you shouldn't stay up late. Come on, let's go home."

Just as she got up to leave, a few of her girlfriends banded together to stop her.

"Hugo's heart isn't great—sure, he should rest. But yours is perfectly healthy! Once you're married, you'll have all the time in the world to be all lovey-dovey. Shouldn't you be spending more time with us tonight?"

I slipped my hand out of Juliet's tight grip. "It's fine. I'll have the driver take me home. Since this is your bachelorette party, you should stay."

With that, I turned and left, not giving her any chance to follow.

Not long after the car pulled away, I felt around inside my coat and found Juliet's phone. I frowned and told the driver to turn around.

The car had just come to a stop outside the bar when I saw Luke Anderson getting out of a cab. Without thinking, I followed him inside.

At the corner of the hallway, Juliet threw herself into Luke's arms. He pulled her in easily, one arm circling her waist before sliding down to squeeze her butt, drawing a breathy protest from her.

He wrapped both arms around her. "Guess what I prepared as a wedding gift for you?"

Juliet's face stiffened for a second, but just as quickly, something heated flickered in her eyes. She let him guide her hand lower.

"It's your favorite little bondage game," he said, tapping the tip of her nose.

Her fingers brushed over his lips as she said huskily, "Looking forward to it."

When Juliet finally pulled away and walked into the private room, there was still a sheen of moisture on her lips, hinting at how intense the kiss had been.

"Hey, Juliet! Now that Luke's here, we can finally talk about some juicy topics, right?"

"Where was the most unforgettable spot you two hooked up? If you don't answer, bottoms up!"

The crowd egged her on, and the mood quickly hit its peak.

Juliet raised an eyebrow and answered calmly, "At my marital home… with cheese-flavored popping candy."

Immediately, the room erupted with cheers and laughter.

"Juliet, you've really stepped up your game! I've got to say, you're creative!"

"No, that's not it! It's Luke who was being creative!"

Their laughter spilled out nonstop, but all that I felt was a deep, creeping chill.

Back then, to repay the Stone family for raising me, I gave Juliet my heart.

"Hugo, your heart is the most precious thing in my life," she had said. "For all the years to come, I'll give you all my love in return for this sacrifice."

For three years, she kept proposing to me, yet in the end, this is how she chose to repay me—by sharing a passionate relationship with another man and leaving our bed in a mess.

I handed Juliet's phone to the driver and told him not to let her know I'd been there.