Chapter 1

Adriana’s POV

"Adriana, you made it!"

I froze the second I heard his voice. Enzo, my ex, the one I never truly got over, stood there grinning like he hadn’t broken my heart into a thousand pieces. He pulled me into a hug before I could stop him. The warmth of his body, the way he smelled—familiar, comforting. I closed my eyes, breathing him in as the world around me disappeared. He still felt like home.

He pulled away just enough to look at me, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Wouldn't miss it, buddy,” I said, my voice cracking a little more than I intended. I cleared my throat, hoping he didn't notice.

Five years. Five long years since we ended things, and somehow, here I was, standing at his wedding, playing the part of a “good friend.”

I wasn’t here to mess anything up. I wasn’t here to make a scene. God, that would be pathetic. I was here because... well, Enzo and I had somehow become friends again. Despite everything, despite him getting engaged to Alicia, here I was, invited to this “pre-wedding fun time” thing. The one where close friends get a last moment with the bride and groom before the big day.

As much as I wanted to walk away and never look back, it was hard to avoid.

But I had promised myself, I wouldn’t let him see how badly this still hurt.

I was snapped back to reality when Alicia stepped forward, sliding into his side. She was all smiles and air kisses, a little too friendly as she sized me up. My stomach twisted. He draped a hand over her shoulder, pulling her in close, and I hated how it felt—like a knife twisting in my chest.

Alicia.

I hated her, and I knew she hated me. She had no right to stand there with him like that. I was the one who’d been with Enzo back when he had braces and a bad haircut. I was the one who'd loved him when he was average, not her.

I swallowed down the bile rising in my throat, forcing a smile. “Congratulations on your wedding,” I said, trying to make my voice sound normal, light even.

Alicia didn’t respond with warmth. Instead, she wrinkled her nose like she could smell something off. “Where’s your date?” she asked, eyeing me with something close to disdain.

Of course, she would ask that.

I opened my mouth to answer, but Enzo glanced at me then laughed—loudly, throwing his head back like I was some joke. My heart sank, but I pushed the sting down. I'd come here to be calm, to show that I’d moved on. No need to show him how much that hurt.

“My date... something came up. He couldn't make it,” I said quickly, voice strong, but even I could hear the hesitation.

Enzo laughed again, and I wanted to punch him in the arm. “Did you even plan to come with a date?” he teased, looking at me like I was a puzzle he couldn’t quite solve. “When was your last relationship, Adriana? Ours?”

I flinched. The words hit me harder than I expected, a raw reminder of how I hadn’t moved on, how I’d spent all these years keeping Enzo’s ghost alive in my head.

I swallowed, trying to keep my voice steady. “I've dated... a few times,” I said, forcing a smile. "But you know, I’m always too busy."

Enzo didn’t miss a beat, his smile growing as he leaned in to Alicia. “Last I checked, Adriana still loves me more than anyone else could.”

I almost choked on my own laughter, a bitter, hollow sound. “No, no, I’m definitely over you,” I said quickly, but my voice cracked at the end. “Five years, Enzo. Who wouldn't be over their ex by now?”

Alicia raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. “Last I remember, you were obsessed with him. Stalked him for a year.”

Heat rushed to my face. I had hoped no one would remember that phase, but Alicia? She wasn’t about to let me forget.

“Those were... coincidences,” I muttered, trying to keep my cool. “We ran into each other at parties. Not a big deal.”

Enzo clicked his tongue, shaking his head with that same smug grin. “You didn’t even like parties.”

“You’re exaggerating,” I snapped, but Enzo wasn’t backing off. Alicia, standing at his side like a queen, was loving every second of this.

“Adriana always showed up at every party,” Enzo said with a laugh, looking over at Alicia, “and it was adorable, right?”

Alicia scowled. “It was creepy,” she said flatly.

I hated that she was right. It wasn’t just awkward; it was desperate. I had followed Enzo around, hoping to find some piece of him that still cared, but I never found it.

“Parties are fine once in a while,” I said, forcing a smile, but my stomach twisted. “I wasn’t stalking anyone. And I’m definitely over it. Enzo and I are friends now, you know that.”

Alicia folded her arms, her gaze hard. “I just don’t want you getting any ideas,” she muttered, shooting me a look that could kill.

I laughed, but it felt too thin. “Oh, don’t worry. I ship you two. Really.” I forced a smile. “My boyfriend will be here soon.”

Lie. My “boyfriend” wasn’t showing up. Zayn, the guy I’d begged to be my fake date, had vanished this morning. I hadn’t heard from him since he’d missed the flight, and now, here I was, looking like a fool.

Alicia’s expression didn't change. “Just don’t try anything funny,” she said as Enzo pulled her closer, kissing her cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world.

It was too much. My heart burned, and I wished I could just vanish.

I couldn’t. Not yet.

“She’s just here to support us, love,” Enzo finally said, defending me for the first time today, but it wasn’t enough.

I had always known Enzo was never fully on my side. Not really.

The group started moving toward the building, laughing and shouting like old times. The sound of their voices made my heart sink deeper. Enzo and Alicia led the way, and I followed behind, feeling every inch the outsider.

When we reached the door, a few of Enzo’s old friends came up to greet me, making the usual comments, throwing teasing remarks my way. My face burned with embarrassment as they laughed, knowing exactly how much I still cared for Enzo.

Freed's voice rang out. “You really here, Adriana? You over Enzo yet?”

I tried to laugh. “Of course, Freeds. You look good, by the way.”

He grinned, soaking it up, but then Jules stepped forward, looking me up and down with an exaggerated smirk. “You’ve changed, but not much. Still got that same wardrobe.”

I hated the way my insides twisted. They were right. I was still the same girl who had followed Enzo around like a puppy. Nothing had really changed.

I made a show of smiling, but all I wanted was to escape. To crawl into a hole and never come out.

As I asked Tyler to show me to my room, Enzo didn’t even notice. He was too wrapped up in his fiancée.

I trudged behind, my mind racing. I had to show everyone. I had to show Enzo. I’d moved on. Even without Zayn.

And somehow, I'd prove it.

“Adriana, are you okay?” Tyler asked, glancing at me with a raised eyebrow.

I gave him a thin smile. “Yeah. I'm fine. Just a little tired.”

But I wasn’t fine. Not by a long shot.