Chapter 1

I had just closed a grueling case at the precinct when my phone buzzed incessantly. The high school alumni SnapChat group was blowing up, tagging me repeatedly.

"Claire Miller, today is our class president Chloe's engagement party. How dare you not show up?"

I hadn’t spoken to Chloe Sterling once since graduation, so I naturally ignored the invite.

"Are you too embarrassed by your pathetic job to face your old classmates?"

"Not showing up is one thing, but where’s your gift? Don't tell me you’re too broke to afford one!"

Right on cue, Chloe jumped in to mock me:

"Don't worry, Claire. Whatever you send, I’ll Venmo you back double."

"I couldn’t care less about your pocket change."

"What’s wrong? Bitter that the boy you had a crush on back in school is now my husband?"

I frowned. The only person I had ever crushed on back in high school was my husband, Ethan Vance.

Ethan and I had been legally married for over a year, and we were literally planning to start trying for a baby this month.

Did I ever crush on someone else?

I opened the chat attachments and stopped breathing.

Right there on my screen was an engagement photo of Ethan Vance and Chloe Sterling.

It was an opulent, picture-perfect portrait. They stood close, beaming at each other, looking every bit like high school sweethearts stepping straight into high society.

But Ethan was my husband. Why on earth was he getting engaged to Chloe?

My mind spun out of control.

Had he stopped loving me? Had he been cheating on me all along?

While I spiraled, the messages kept rolling in.

"Where is she? Don’t tell me someone is hiding under their blanket, crying their eyes out?"

"Watch what you say! What if she throws herself off a roof?"

"Chloe's fiancé is a titan. Vance Corp is a multi-billion-dollar empire. Chloe marrying him is the ultimate fairy tale."

I stared at the screen, totally bewildered. In my memory, Ethan was just like me—a police officer working long shifts. When did he suddenly become the billionaire chairman of a corporate empire?

For a split second, I wondered if I had slipped into an alternate universe.

I was about to text Chloe to ask what the hell was going on when she fired off another direct jab:

"Oh, Claire, are you even married yet? Does your man treat you well, or does he beat you up?"

"Tell you what—if you come to my wedding, I’ll have my husband give you a job as a janitor at his headquarters."

The other classmates piled on instantly:

"God, Chloe is an angel! Claire, you better thank her. Getting a janitor job at a billion-dollar company isn't easy!"

"Ugh, Claire would never show up. She’s probably drowning in her own tears right now."

Staring at their vicious texts, rage boiled in my chest.

I typed two words into the chat: "Sounds great."

I locked my phone, hailed a cab to Chloe's engagement venue, and stared at my pinned chat at the top of SnapChat.

The contact name "Hubby" stabbed straight into my heart.

Our last text exchange was a week ago. He told me he was going out of state on a special assignment and promised to bring me back a surprise gift.

My chest tightened until I could barely breathe. What the hell was happening?

How could my husband be getting engaged to another woman—and masquerading as a billionaire tycoon?

Did the world secretly change while I wasn't looking?

When I had dashed out of the precinct earlier, my car had mysteriously vanished from the police parking lot. That cold chill hit me again—had I really crossed over into another dimension?

I reached up and touched the gold chain around my neck.

It was our promise necklace. Ethan had saved six months of his police salary just to buy it for me.

"If this is real... what am I supposed to do?"

Clinging to a shred of hope, I took the cab to the grand entrance of the St. Regis Hotel.

The venue was breathtakingly luxurious. A massive banner hung across the grand facade:

"Congratulations to Apex Holdings CEO Chloe Sterling & Vance Corp Chairman Ethan Vance on Their Engagement!"

Under the fluttering banner stood Chloe in a bespoke white designer gown, radiating happiness as the center of attention. A glowing bride-to-be.

Except the man she was marrying was my husband.

Bitterness and sheer agony flooded my veins.

A swarm of familiar faces surrounded Chloe, showering her with flattery.

"Chloe, you've always had the best life! Rich family, and now marrying an even richer billionaire!"

"Class President, you're so secretive! You didn't tell us until the actual day!"

"From now on, you control Apex Holdings with one hand and Vance Corp with the other! Chloe, can you hook me up with a job at Vance Corp?"

Even Mr. Higgins, our strict, tyrannical high school teacher, was bending over backward to suck up to her:

"Chloe, back when you were a freshman, I knew you were destined for greatness. Turns out I was spot on!"

"My son actually just submitted his resume to Vance Corp. Could you put in a word...?"

The nauseating brown-nosing turned my stomach. Chloe's smile stretched wider as she basked in the worship.

"Of course! I’ll talk to my husband Ethan tonight. Anyone who wants into Vance Corp, just sign up with me."

"Mr. Higgins, it’s all thanks to your mentorship back then."

My cab pulled up to the curb, and I stepped out.

"Wait! Isn't that Claire Miller?!" someone shouted. "What, did you sprint here the second Chloe offered you a janitor gig?"

"You actually showed up to Chloe's engagement party wearing those rags? Chloe's generous enough to let it slide, but if it were my party, security would have kicked you to the curb!"

I had been on duty at the precinct all morning. Since I had to change out of my uniform, I had thrown on an old graphic tee and worn jeans.

I had never cared about designer labels or makeup. Defying my family's wishes, I had chosen to put on a police badge. To me, clothes were just meant to be functional.

"Come on, guys, don't be too harsh. Claire probably can't afford new clothes on her monthly pay!"

"True, but showing up completely empty-handed? Not even a card or a gift bag? Where are your manners?"

"Claire, just because Chloe married your high school crush doesn't mean you have to be so petty and bitter."

Watching these vile, hypocritical faces made me sick to my stomach.

I hadn't come here to celebrate. I had come to get answers about Ethan.

Chloe gathered her flowing white train and strutted over, her voice dripping with venomous mockery:

"Oh, come on, everyone. We’re all old classmates. It’s an honor just having Claire show up. No need for a gift—consider her meal on me."

"Alright, that’s enough. Clear out, everyone. I need to wait for my husband."

The crowd sneered and began to disperse. I called out firmly:

"Hold on. Who said I didn't bring a gift?"

"Haven't you heard of online transfers?"

I pulled out my phone and held it up.

The very next second, Chloe’s face morphed into pure rage. She raised her hand and slapped me across the face!

"Why do you have a photo of my husband on your lock screen?! You filthy little side chick!"