Chapter 1

“If we told Madison that tonight’s confession was just a bet between friends, do you think she’d believe it? She’s never been able to tolerate even the slightest flaw. She’s going to start something with you again. Rowan, did I cause you trouble again? I’m so stupid…” Sophie Wendell’s sweet voice trembled with concern.

Leaning against a large tree outside the auditorium, I heard her cloying tone and instinctively looked up. Rowan Shelby was gently brushing her soft, long hair. “Silly girl, don’t worry. I’ll handle her,” he said.

My hand trembled. Ash from my cigarette fell onto the back of my hand, and the sharp sting brought tears to my eyes.

I lowered my head and let out a bitter laugh as I flicked the cigarette away. As the two of them approached, I stepped out from the shade of the tree.

The moment they saw me, both of them froze.

Sophie quickly pulled her hand behind her back when she noticed my eyes locked on their tightly clasped hands. However, the diamond bracelet on her wrist still burned in my vision.

“Madison, long time no see,” she said. “Rowan bought this bracelet for you. I was just giving him some advice. Don’t get the wrong idea.” She hurriedly removed it and held it out to me, but her tear-filled eyes made it look as though I had done something to her.

Rowan’s brows knit together as he stepped in front of her protectively. “I asked Sophie to try it on,” he said. “Madison, can you stop being so unreasonable?”

“Thank you.” I took the bracelet from Sophie, slipped it on, and held up my wrist to Rowan. “Does it look good?”

Rowan stared at me for a long moment. The words caught in his throat before he finally gave a neutral hum.

I glanced down at the bracelet, which hung slightly loose on my wrist, and smiled—cold and sarcastic.

Sophie’s soft sobs eventually broke the silence. “I knew Madison would mind me being here. I’ll leave right away.”

She ran off in tears. Rowan gave me one last frigid look before chasing after her. “It’s late. I don’t want you walking home alone. Let me take you.” He practically shoved her into the passenger seat.

Seeing me still standing there, frozen in thought, he snapped, “Why aren’t you getting in? Waiting for me to beg you?”

Swallowing my emotions, I got into the car.

The ride was filled with lighthearted laughter and chatter between the two of them in the front seats. The flirtatious atmosphere between them was so sweet that even I, his actual girlfriend, couldn’t help but think how natural they seemed together. Watching Rowan’s tenderness, I realized something: he only ever seemed human—truly human—when he was with Sophie.

As we pulled up, Sophie tried to turn and say goodbye to me, but Rowan blocked her with his arm and nudged her toward the entrance. “It’s late. Go home and get some rest,” he said softly, as if afraid I might do something to her.

Sophie nodded sweetly and walked off obediently.

Only after her graceful figure disappeared upstairs and the eighth-floor lights turned on did Rowan put out his cigarette and return to the car. He met my gaze in the rearview mirror. “Sit in the front passenger seat.”

I said nothing. Just stared at him.

After a long pause, Rowan’s patience finally snapped. He started the engine with a frown. “Whatever.”

At last, I spoke. “Rowan, don’t you have anything to explain to me?”

The car came to a halt.

He turned to face me. “Madison, I’ve been putting up with you all night. You’ve had that long face ever since you saw Sophie. What do you want from me? If you’ve got something to say, then say it already and get it over with!”