Chapter 1

Julian Vance had tried every sick trick in the book to break me.

He threw the breakfasts I cooked for him straight into the trash.

He put the townhouse we had lived in for seven years up for sale without telling me.

At our college reunion, he flaunted his new girlfriend and kissed her passionately right in front of everyone.

That was the final straw. I finally agreed to sign the divorce papers.

Yet, on our way to court the very next morning, a speeding truck smashed into us.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the night of that very reunion.

When Julian walked in with his arm around his new girl, I didn't even bat an eye.

I just sat there sipping my drink in silence.

My friend leaned in and whispered:

"Chloe, your husband is humiliating you in front of everyone. Aren't you furious?"

I smiled and set my glass down.

"He'll be my ex-husband tomorrow. By the way, my destination wedding is next month. Make sure you don't miss it."

Julian walked through the door with his arm draped around Gemma Reed.

Every pair of eyes in the room darted between him and me.

Three years ago, we were the golden couple everyone envied.

Then, after graduation, we abruptly cut ties with everyone.

I kept my head down, wanting nothing more than to blend into the background.

Naturally, Gemma pulled Julian straight toward my table and sat right next to me.

The air grew suffocatingly tense. A classmate raised a glass, trying to cut through the awkwardness.

"Alright, everyone's here! Cheers, guys!"

As someone reached over to fill my glass, Julian's voice cut across the table, cold and sharp.

"She's allergic to alcohol. Don't pour that."

The chattering crowd froze instantly. Everyone there knew about my severe allergy.

A soft cough snapped me back to reality. Julian downed his drink in one gulp, his brow furrowed as if he had just realized his slip-up.

Beside him, Gemma's smile stiffened, but she quickly covered it up.

"Look at my memory! I almost forgot Julian was talking about me."

"My immune system has been down lately. The doctor told me to stay away from alcohol."

The room erupted into knowing chuckles, teasing Julian for being such a protective boyfriend.

Bored, I pushed my chair back and stood up.

"Excuse me. I need the restroom."

I splashed cold water on my face. When I stepped back into the hallway, Julian was leaning against the wall, smoking.

The moment he saw me, he instinctively put the cigarette out.

A thin trail of smoke drifted from the crushed butt. Even he looked startled by his own reaction.

I used to hate the smell of smoke. Julian had never smoked around me back then.

Even if he had a cigarette outside, he would wait half an hour on the porch just to let the smell fade before stepping through the front door.

His love had been real back then. But so was the fact that he didn't love me anymore.

I walked right past him without making eye contact, but his fingers clamped around my wrist.

Julian stepped closer, his voice dropping into a low, mocking whisper.

"Chloe, did you show up tonight just because you heard I was coming?"

"What? Looking to get back together?"

I wrenched my arm free and scoffed.

"Julian, get over yourself."

He took half a step back, but his broad frame still blocked my path.

"Good. Keep it that way. Saves me the trouble of turning you down. By the way, I heard you're working at St. Jude's Hospital now. Who would've thought? You actually got a job."

I tuned out the condescension dripping from his words. I had heard it all in my previous life.

During our worst fights, he called me a parasite who couldn't survive without him.

He claimed I had no ambition and lived off his dime.

Gemma's voice drifted down the corridor.

"Julian? Where are you? We should get going!"

Julian didn't say another word. He turned and walked away.