Chapter 1

I was going on a road trip with my boyfriend, Phillips, but when I got into the passenger seat, I realized there was a girl already sitting in the back.

Phillips smiled and explained, "This is Penny. She’s heading the same way for the weekend, so I thought we’d keep each other company."

Penny leaned forward and flashed me a sweet smile. "Don't worry, Susan, I won't get in your way. I'm just carpooling to save some cash."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and said nothing.

When we arrived at the hotel, I was holding the key card, ready to open our door, but Penny dragged her suitcase right in after us.

Phillips said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world:

"It’s not budget-friendly for her to get her own room. We can all share this one to save some money. She can just sleep on the sofa."

Penny had already seated herself on the edge of the bed. She looked up at me. "I'll sleep on the couch. I promise I won't get in your way."

I stood there, looking at Phillips’s nonchalant expression, and a sudden wave of disgust washed over me.

"Fine. You two can share the room. I’m getting another one."