Chapter 1
After graduation, I broke up with River Kingsley.
“Seriously? Just because I went to her medical lecture instead of your graduation?” His lips curved into a mocking smile.
I nodded, staying silent..
“You’re never gonna grow up, are you?” He let out a bitter laugh. “Fine, have it your way. But don’t come crawling back to me later.”
From age twelve to twenty–four, I’d always been chasing after him, so insecure that
But this time, I was genuinely exhausted.
veryone figured I couldn’t survive without him.
He had no clue I’d already applied to study abroad for grad school–to a country, far, far away from him.
From now on, no one would stop him from doing whatever his sister–in–law wanted.
“I went to Serena’s medical lecture.” River’s explanation was ice–cold.
Serena Vale was his sister–in–law.
She’d once said, “We’re all the same age here–don’t call me sister–in–law, it makes me sound ancient.”
So River started obediently calling her “Serena.”
“I know,” I said, biting my lip.
“You know and you’re still pissed?” He looked exasperated. “Could you maybe not throw a tantrum like a five–year–old?”
“River,” I said, gripping my fingers together and forcing myself to meet his eyes. “Let’s break up.”
River leaned back in his clinic chair, glancing up with complete indifference. “Just because I missed your graduation?”
I nodded, staying quiet.
“You seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“Willa, I don’t have time for these stupid ‘on–again, off–again‘ games. Adults think before they speak.”
“Yeah.”
“You really are never gonna grow up.” He laughed coldly. “Fine, have it your way. But don’t come crawling back to me later.”
I nodded. “Don’t worry, I won’t.”
As I turned to leave, Serena pushed through the door.
“River, wanna grab dinner? I’ve got
t this question…
When Serena spotted me, she looked surprised. “Willa! What’re you doing here?”
Seeing that I didn’t look too good, she glanced at River, then at
e
“You guys had a fight?”
“Because River missed your graduation?”
“Willa, please don’t get the wrong idea!”
“This was my first time giving a medical lecture, and it was super important to me, so I asked River to stick around and help me out.”
“I had no idea it’d run so long and make him miss your graduation. I’m so sorry!”
Everything she said
was perfectly reasonable.
It made me more look like a total child in front of her.
And THIS was also what I hated most about her.
When I stayed silent, she linked her arm through mine. “Come on! Let’s all go eat together.”
She teased River, “Your girlfriend’s here, so let’s skip the cafeteria today. How about sushi? I haven’t had it in forever. River, you’re buying!”
Then she covered her mouth, laughing. “Oh wait, I forgot–you always pay anyway.”
“Willa, River mentioned you love sushi too, right?”
Suddenly hearing my name, I froze, looked at River and said through gritted teeth: “Do I? News to me.”
Serena’s brow furrowed slightly. “Maybe I misremembered. No biggie though–just tell us what you’re craving. Don’t be shy!”
She was treating me like a complete outsider.
And River didn’t see anything wrong with it. He just stood up, methodically taking off his lab coat. “Let’s go. Sushi it is.”
I pulled my hand away from Serena’s grip. “You guys go ahead. I’m going home.” I turned and headed for the door.
As I left, I heard River say calmly, “Just ignore her. She’s being childish–needs a reality check.”
