Chapter 3

"Well, well, look who showed up!"

"If it isn't our class's power couple!"

Sophia and I walked in holding hands, and our old classmates started teasing right away.

Her pursuit of me back then was legendary—even teachers knew about it. But since we both got good grades, they mostly looked the other way.

Sophia switched colleges just to be with me and started her business freshman year—all to prove she was good enough. It was high school lore.

Right before graduation, I finally gave in to her persistence. I still remember the night I said yes—Sophia cried so hard, swearing:

"Liam, I'll only ever love you. Forever."

There were three empty seats in a row. At first, I sat to Sophia's left, Vincent to her right.

She frowned a little, then said softly: "Babe, let's switch seats."

That got everyone teasing again:

"Look at Sophia being careful—she knows Vincent's single, so she won't sit next to him."

"Liam, what's your secret? After all these years, she's still head over heels."

"They're always posting couple stuff online—it's sickeningly sweet!"

Sophia laughed: "I just adore my husband!" She looked at me, eyes all gooey.

Everyone bought it—hook, line, and sinker. Only I knew her love, like those gifts, was split right down the middle.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vincent's mouth twitch. He shot Sophia a look—half annoyed, half something else.

"Vincent's girl spoils him too! Check out that watch—she got it for him."

Someone pointed out, and the chatter started up again.

Vincent touched his wrist, glanced at me, and ground out:

"She treats me like a king. Takes me traveling every month, buys me more stuff than I know what to do with. The other day I mentioned wanting to retire in Miami someday, and she bought a house there on the spot. This watch? Limited edition—only ten in the whole world."

Ten in the world. Sophia bought two of them.

"Whoa, Vincent's girl's keeping up with Sophia! When we gonna meet her?"

"Oh, definitely soon."

Vincent gave Sophia this sappy look. She ignored him, just kept putting food on my plate.

Halfway through dinner, Sophia stepped out for a call. A minute later, Vincent said he was going to the bathroom.

I followed. By chance, I heard them talking in the stairwell.

Vincent grabbed her by the neck, voice tight: "You just can't quit him, can you? We've been hooking up for two years."

Sophia warned him: "As long as you don't push Liam's buttons, as long as he never finds out, I'll keep you happy. You know if he leaves me, I'll lose it."

"Fine." Vincent stared at her, then grinned: "Good news though—I'm on the core team for the Daybreak project now."

My stomach dropped. I went cold all over, like someone dumped ice water on me.

Sophia froze, then narrowed her eyes. She grabbed his chin: "He approved that? Then why the hell did you show up here today? You want him to find out and blow your new gig?"

"Aw, come on—I just missed you." Vincent nuzzled her neck.

Sophia half-smiled and ran her hand through his hair.

In the dim stairwell light, they kissed like they meant it.

I watched, pressed against the wall, struggling to breathe. My hands shook.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was the lawyer.

[Docs ready. Sign Saturday.]