Chapter 1
Eight years. That was how long I’d been with Caleb Rosmere.
And every time I tried to bring him home to meet my parents, he’d bail on me at the last minute–always because of his “girl–bro,” Mabel Corbin, who somehow had a crisis every time.
“Can’t we eat dinner any other night? Mabel’s blackout drunk, and you know how dangerous it is for a girl at a bar like that,” he’d say.
I looked into his eyes, keeping my voice gentle. “If you don’t come this
time, we’re done.”
He paused for a split second on his way out, but then scoffed, “Is breaking up your answer every time you don’t get your way? Brielle Marlowe, I can’t keep putting up with your drama forever!”
And just like that, he walked out without looking back.
As the door slammed shut, I let out a heavy sigh and called my parents.
Maybe not getting married wasn’t the worst thing after all. I told them they could finally set me up on those blind dates they’d been pushing for.
***
I was in Caleb’s apartment.
I went to the bathroom to wash my face, then started packing up to leave.
There wasn’t much to take–one suitcase would do.
Caleb always said I was a spoiled princess with no concept of money.
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He’d give me the cold shoulder whenever I bought something nice, acting like I was invisible. He’d tell me if I kept spending like this, he’d never be able to afford to marry me.
But all I ever bought were things I used every day.
After that, I started keeping the expensive stuff at my own place, the villa under my name. The things I left here were barely worth anything.
Standing in the living room with my suitcase, I took one last look at everything I’d grown so familiar with.
Honestly, Caleb was right. He couldn’t afford me.
I took a deep breath, fighting back tears, and pulled my suitcase toward
the door.
Just then–click.
The door opened from the outside, and a bright, playful female voice rang
out.
“Caleb, I saw you enter your passcode! Next time, I’m just going to let myself in!” she teased.
Caleb’s reply was low and serious. “Come over whenever you want, it’s my place anyway—”
He didn’t finish his sentence. As he shut the door, he saw me.
“Brielle…” His brow furrowed, like he wanted to say something, but then he noticed my suitcase.
“Business trip?” he asked, his face unreadable.
I answered, “We broke up. I’m moving out.”
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Chapter 1
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Mabel’s reaction was way over the top. She pouted, her expression exaggerated, staring at me like she couldn’t believe it. “Seriously? You’re breaking up with Caleb just because he came to pick me up?”
I didn’t bother to answer. I’d met girls faker than Mabel before, and even the worst of them were better actresses than she was.
But it didn’t matter. Caleb always took her side. I’d always be the one who
lost.
I started wheeling my suitcase toward the door.
When Mabel realized I wasn’t going to answer, she just shrugged at Caleb.
His face turned cold instantly. “Who are you giving attitude to? Brielle, when are you going to drop this spoiled princess act? Every time things don’t go your way, you threaten to leave—seriously?”
My grip on the suitcase tightened, tears threatening to spill.
I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay steady. “Well, then, you don’t have to put up with me anymore. Goodbye, Caleb.”
Afraid he’d see me cry, I practically ran out the door.
Behind me, Mabel’s voice rang out, loud and dramatic. “Bro, what is she even doing?!”
“She’s leaving over a breakup with just one suitcase, leaving all this stuff behind–like, is she for real?”
“Bro, I feel so bad for you. You work your butt off all day, and then have to come home to a drama queen? That’s rough, man!”
I walked faster and faster until their voices faded away completely.
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Back at the villa, I finally noticed a message from Elliot Kelton.
“I’ll be in town at three tomorrow. Dinner?”
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A second later, my mom called. She said that Elliot’s mother, Mrs. Kelton, had heard about my blind date and told Elliot, who immediately booked a flight home. He even asked his mom to tell mine not to set me up with anyone else.
My mom was thrilled, reminding me over and over to pick him up at the airport.
It felt surreal. Elliot and I had been close since we were kids.
The year I first tried to bring Caleb home, Elliot had moved overseas.
We hadn’t spoken since.
I never expected this…
I told my mom I’d go, then texted Elliot, “I’ll pick you up tomorrow.”
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