Chapter 1

At our engagement party, my famous pop-star fiancée lost a game of Truth or Dare.

The dare was to feed someone in the room a shot of liquor, mouth-to-mouth.

Without a second thought, she chose her rumored billionaire lover.

Everyone in the room turned to look at me, shocked.

But I didn’t care. I even pulled a hotel key card from my pocket and tossed it over:

"Get pregnant, Serena. That's your only ticket into the billionaire empire you've always dreamed of."

It was our eleventh anniversary, and also the night of my engagement to Serena Vance.

I had prepared fresh flowers, a diamond ring, and a grand banquet.

But under the dim lights, my fiancée’s cheeks flushed as she took a sip of whiskey, sank into Carter Sterling’s embrace, and fed it directly into his mouth.

They locked lips, kissing passionately for a full ten minutes before pulling apart.

Serena's lips were swollen and red from the intensity.

Everyone in the room stared at me. Their eyes were filled with amusement, mockery, and pity.

"Is Ryan really going to take this lying down?"

"What else can he do? Fight Carter Sterling?"

"He wouldn't dare."

A wave of mocking laughter echoed through the hall.

Carter wrapped his arm around Serena’s waist provocatively, raising an eyebrow at me as if marking his territory. "Don't take it personally, man. It’s just a game."

He was a billionaire CEO. I was just an underappreciated songwriter. Even if I minded, what could I do?

But strangely, I didn't feel a spark of anger. Instead, I felt a wave of relief, like a heavy burden had finally been lifted.

For the first time in eleven years, I saw Serena for who she truly was.

I set my glass down and smiled back. "Why would I mind? Have your fun."

Serena froze, clearly not expecting this reaction. "Ryan, don't start acting jealous. It was just a game."

"Sure," I replied casually, signaling the others to keep playing.

Seeing my usual submissive attitude, Serena stopped pushing.

After all, I had always been at her beck and call. She never had to care about my feelings.

Soon, another round ended, and Serena lost again.

Someone looking for drama asked, "If Ryan weren't in the picture, would you marry Carter?"

Serena's expression shifted. She obviously hadn't expected that question, but she quickly lowered her head and gave a shy, blushing, "Yes."

Once again, all eyes landed on me.

This time, I was the first to clap. I even pulled a hotel key card from my pocket and tossed it onto the table. "Get pregnant, Serena. That's your only ticket into the billionaire empire you've always dreamed of."

Hearing this, Serena assumed I was just being petty.

She frowned, snapping in annoyance, "I told you, it’s just a game! Do you have to make a big deal out of everything?"

My own engagement party. A venue I had spent weeks personally decorating. Yet, my fiancée was kissing another man and admitting she’d rather marry him.

It was pathetic.

In the past, I would have thrown a fit, causing a huge scene.

Serena would get angry, storm off, and refuse to come home until I begged for her forgiveness like a stray dog. Only then would she look down on me and throw me a bone.

But tonight, I felt absolutely nothing.