Chapter 2

In high school, I was a carefree heiress without a worry in the world.

While my classmates were practically chaining themselves to their desks, studying day and night, all I cared about was painting and having fun.

Adam Hayes was my polar opposite.

He was the undisputed top student in our year, brilliant, and socially adept.

At first, I found him utterly annoying, just another pretentious show-off.

Then Valerie arrived. She came from a poor family and studied incredibly hard.

Every day after school, she'd work a part-time job to help her family make ends meet.

I admired her greatly, so I asked my dad to establish a scholarship specifically for students from low-income families, like hers.

I didn't want any fuss.

But the teacher, in front of the whole class, revealed the scholarship's origin, making Valerie bow to me in thanks.

Looking back, I think that's when Valerie started to resent me.

Yet, I was foolish enough to pour my heart out to Valerie, treating her like the sister I never had.

Valerie's ultimate goal was to be the top student in our year.

But Adam was like an insurmountable mountain.

Valerie always came in second.

After yet another attempt to beat him, Valerie burst into tears.

To comfort her, I pulled out all the stops.

"Fine, I'll just go flirt with Adam, maybe even date him, and mess with his perfect grades!"

Adam, who happened to be passing by, snorted.

"Jenna Sterling, you're so clumsy, you wouldn't even know how to flirt with me. Want me to teach you?"

Later, we actually started dating.

During our senior year, I experienced the biggest upheaval of my life:

My dad went bankrupt and took his own life.

In my darkest hour, Adam and Valerie stood by me.

Adam promised he'd step into my dad's shoes, become the man who loved me most.

Valerie let me stay at her house and worked tirelessly to tutor me.

I pulled myself together and started studying hard.

I was set for a top-tier college until the SAT.

I'd prepared for everything. Everything except actually bringing a #2 pencil. I searched my bag twice. Nothing.

After the exam, I broke down. I remember sitting in my car, hitting my own thighs, convinced I'd ruined my future. I was useless.

Adam and Valerie pulled me out of that hole. They both got into Westwood University, the state's most prestigious school.

I, convinced academia wasn't for me, took a waitressing job near campus.

Adam would show up the moment his last class ended.After a few months, regulars just assumed he worked there.

Adam often talked to me about his plans for our future.

He said as soon as he graduated, we'd get married.

He'd work hard to support me, buy me the best art supplies, and let me continue being a carefree wife.

But I still felt a deep sense of insecurity.

I begged Valerie to keep an eye on Adam for me.

Valerie looked at me with deep, unreadable eyes and offered a stiff smile.

I just figured I'd made her a little jealous, so I urged her to find someone, too.

But Valerie just said,

"No need. I already have someone I like."

It was a long time before I understood that smile, and who she liked.

By then, it was too late.