Chapter 1

"I do!"

Aurora Diaz beamed, holding out her hand, waiting for Marco Ramírez to slide the ring onto her finger. Their friends cheered.

Marco knelt, reaching for her—

Then a tearful voice shattered the moment.

"Enough! I give up! Marco, I won't let you marry someone else!"

Aurora's stomach dropped. Before she could move, Marco shot to his feet, leaving her behind like she was nothing, and pulled Sofia Blanco into his arms.

Tears streaked Sofia's face. "I admit it—I can't just stand by and watch you propose. I can't!"

"Don't worry, I was only putting on an act with her. I knew you couldn't handle it. But now that you've finally admitted your feelings... will you stop running from me?"

His voice was warm, devoted—like he hadn't just been promising forever to someone else.

Aurora stood there, numb, as Sofia nodded. As Marco lifted her, spinning her in pure joy. As the crowd cheered for them, like this was how it was always supposed to be.

No one noticed her.

Even when she got shoved aside, nearly falling, no one cared.

It wasn't until the cheers died down that Marco finally turned her way—still holding Sofia's hand.

"Sorry, Aurora. Sofia and I made a bet. I wanted her to stop running from me, so I pretended to date you. You didn't take it seriously, right?"

He was talking to her, but his eyes never left Sofia.

Unbelievable.

The hugs, the kisses, even moving in together—it was all fake. A stupid game to get another woman to confess.

She'd never been anything more than a joke.

"Come on, like Marco would ever marry a common girl like her."

"They've known each other forever. There was never room for anyone else."

"She was probably after his money... But hey, you gotta admit, Aurora's got the looks. Bet she was fun while it lasted."

Aurora clenched her fists behind her back, nails digging so deep they broke skin.

The sharp sting snapped her back to reality.

She forced out a calm, even tone. "Oh, same. I was just playing along. Honestly, I was trying to figure out how to break up without bruising Marco's ego, so this worked out perfectly. Congrats."

A flawless smile. No cracks. But Marco just stared, like he couldn't believe how easily she let go.

She didn't give him—or Sofia—another glance. She turned and walked away.

"Prof. Serrano, about the Fremoran dance troupe's invitation... I've decided to accept."

She strolled through the snow-dusted streets, phone pressed to her ear.

"Good! You kept saying you needed time to think—I was worried you'd let a little romance hold you back from such a great opportunity," Professor Serrano's voice bubbled with relief.

A flicker of self-mockery crossed Aurora's face. "I wasn't thinking clearly before. Sorry for making you worry. You helped open this door for me—I won't waste it. I'll be on the plane in a week."

Hanging up, she let out a bitter smile.

How stupid she'd been—almost throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime chance for something as worthless as love.