They were perfect. The kind everyone swore was meant to be.

I saw it in college.

Adrian was cold, untouchable—except with Celine. Then he softened.

He knitted her scarves, waited outside her dorm, stayed up all night helping her study.

One photo of their backs could blow up the whole campus forum.

Back then, I'd pull up her pictures, grinding my teeth, jealous of how she had it all.

People compared us long before she came back.

After she returned, it got worse.

Or maybe they didn't bother saying my name at all.

No comparison needed.

***

Soft music filled the ballroom. I stood in low heels, my hand on Adrian's arm.

Then Celine walked in. Every eye snapped to her.

She came straight over, like nothing had changed.

She held out her hand, smiling. "Long time no see."

Adrian stayed blank. Didn't move.

But I felt it—his arm went tight.

He still didn't take it. Her hand hung there, unmoving.

The air went stiff.

I stepped in, trying to ease it. "Long time no see. When'd you get back?"

A small, stupid hope crept up.

Maybe... after all these years, Adrian cared. Maybe I had a place, even a small one.

Right then, Adrian's friend, Zane Wilder, stepped in and took her hand.

I grabbed nothing.

My hand hung there, empty.

People looked between us, amused. My little fantasy shattered without a word.

Adrian's jaw tightened. Right in front of me, he told her, "I'm married."

But I knew what that meant.

He was mourning what they lost.

Didn't even bother hiding it.

I'd already lost.

After that, Adrian's mom, Claudia, rushed over.

Not for me.

She slipped between us, warm and easy with Celine. I got pushed out while the three of them chatted and laughed like I wasn't there.

When it turned sentimental, Claudia dabbed her eye. "I still remember you and Adrian joking about getting married in our house."

Celine's voice went soft. "Mrs. Sandford..."

I pressed my lips together, head down.

I didn't have to look. I could feel the stares—sharp, eager, mocking.

I'm the climber. The nobody who slipped in while Celine was gone.

So what was the point of all those years trying to please Claudia?

Cheap.

And my husband—

Maybe he was caught up in it too. He stood there, blank, but his hand kept tightening.

So yeah. He never loved me.

I stood there, quiet, awkward, until—

Celine looked up at me, something unwilling in her eyes. "Is she your wife?" Her voice shook, barely holding it together.

Finally, we stood side by side. The gap was obvious.

Even I felt it.

I forced a stiff smile.

Adrian shot me a cold glance. No explanation. No reassurance. Just, "Zane and the others threw you a welcome-home party."

Zane. And that group—especially the ones who always mocked me.

Just thinking about it made my head spin.

Adrian didn't care. He never did.

My body tensed on instinct. I held my breath, uneasy.

I forced a smile. "Then have fun. I'll—"

"You're going."

He cut me off. I froze.

He looked at me, cold, and repeated, slow, "You're going."

I didn't get why Adrian dragged me here.

So I could stand there after loving him all these years, taking care of him for seven—

just to get humiliated now that his ex was back?

As if that wasn't enough—in front of his friends.

"You finally came back—" Zane dragged it out, eyes flicking to me, talking to Celine. "Wow. Dropping your friends for a guy? Told Adrian first? Didn't even rest—ran straight to him."

Then, "Your name made it back here too. Still impressive."

Message received—don't expect Adrian to choose me.

She was the one trying to wedge herself between Adrian and me, yet somehow I was the outsider.

I just sat there, awkward as hell, staring at the glass in my hand. Condensation slid down it as I tightened my grip, then let go.

Celine flushed a little, sneaking a glance at Adrian across the room.

The vibe shifted—thick, suggestive, too warm.

Everyone here knew each other. Everyone but me.

I glanced at Adrian.

Sharp jaw. High brow. Cold, controlled. So good-looking it was almost unsettling.

Back when I meant nothing to him, all that reckless, boyish energy had belonged to Celine.

I zoned out. By the time I came back, they'd already started a card game.

If two people drew the same suit, it meant a dare. The highest card—the king—got to call it.

"Four of hearts and seven of hearts—kiss for ten seconds."

Celine and Adrian.

I couldn't take it. I shot up, eyes already stinging.

The room went quiet. Amused, annoyed looks landed on me—the so-called wife.

The dim lights helped. At least my embarrassment didn't show.

I steadied my voice. "Sorry. You guys have fun. I... I need the bathroom."

I bolted. The door shut, cutting off the noise and cheers.

At the sink, cold water ran down my face. I stared at myself in the mirror and forced a crooked smile.

My phone chimed.

I'd barely caught the word [Millie...] when a mocking voice came from behind me.

"Millie? Heh. Gross."

Heat closed in behind me. His body pressed flush to my back, arms caging me in on either side of the sink.

"See it now? Your husband's out there messing around, and you're a joke. Why stay with him? Leave him. Be with me."

I looked up, my pupils tightening.

Zane.

The one who'd wrecked me the hardest in bed—enough to leave me dizzy after.

His breath dragged slow along my neck, hot, deliberate. A shiver slipped down my spine.

He glanced at my phone. "Tell me, if Adrian found out you've been cheating—and with two guys—would he lose it?"

I said nothing.

He pressed in closer. Jealousy burned in his eyes as his jaw clenched.

"Emily Edmond! Don't play sweet and quiet with me. I don't care if you've got other guys. We had a deal. I brought Celine back—you divorce him and come to me."

I didn't answer.

He stared me down, frowning, his voice turning cold.

"Emily, I mean it. I want you. I'm taking his place."