Chapter 1
The moment SAT scores dropped, Jason Westwood posted on his Story.
The photo showed his exact score next to mine, with a caption: [I won my youth–and I won you.]
Our senior group chat blew up instantly.
“Is this the kind of romance only the top two in the grade can pull off?”
“No love confession hits harder than that!”
Jason stayed silent, just flooding the chat with Venmo after Venmo. The whole class went wild.
That’s when Lily Brooks, the scholarship kid, tried to return the money.
ou earn everything yourself.”
“Thank you, but my grandpa always told me if you come from nothing, you
Jason actually spoke up for once.
“All right, how about this–Scarlett and I are heading overseas for vacation. Take care of the puppy while we’re gone. Call it a job.
I figured it was just another rich–boy sympathy stunt.
But at the party later, I found out it was all calculated.
“Westwood really went all out with that cash drop. He knew Lily wouldn’t accept money directly, so he sent $999 to everyone, just so she’d have to take it too.”
“You don’t get it. That’s how he protects the weak. Last time Lily got harassed by a customer at her part–time job, Westwood beat the guy so bad he landed in the hospital.”
My hand froze on the doorknob. Even my breath trembled.
So that night he missed my once–in–a–lifetime debutante ball… it wasn’t because of a car accident. He was out fighting for another girl.
Jason’s sharp, elegant features darkened as he tossed several stacks of bills onto the table.
“Drop it. If Scarlett finds out, she’ll throw another one of her princess tantrums,
Someone mumbled under their breath, “Lily’s still better–sweet, pretty, the innocent type.”
I let out a cold laugh, turned around, and accepted the street racing invite from the school’s resident bad boy.
If that’s what you want, Jason-
Then I’ll let you have your charity.
“Whoa, the gorgeous Scarlett’s finally here!”
A bunch of guys elbowed Jason and winked. As soon as he saw me, that bored look on his face finally lit up.
“Babe, you’re on your period. No cold drinks.”
He handed me the warm caramel latte he’d been guarding like treasure. I glanced at the cup–with its mile–long list of specific requests -and my throat tightened,
Eighteen years. Eighteen years was enough for him to know everything about me.
Everything.. Except the one thing I really wanted–the kind of love that wasn’t meant to be shared..
I took a deep breath. I was just about to break up with him
When a wave of gasps erupted behind me,
Chapter 1
“No way… is that Lily? I thought she’d show up in one of those washed–out school uniforms again.”
“Holy crap. She’s actually gorgeous. Just as pretty as Scarlett, maybe even more.
The boys were practically gawking. Even Harper Lane, my best friend, suddenly stiffened beside me.
“Scar, is that… the dress?”
I reached over and squeezed her hand, giving a tiny shake of my head. “It’s fine. Let it go.
Because this wasn’t the first time Jason gave Lily my things.
”
wwwwwwwwwww
What he didn’t know was that it was part of a matching set his mom gifted it
to me for my coming–of–age ceremony.
She said she couldn’t wait to see me and Jason wear them together on our engagement day.
I guess even she never expected Jason would be the one to destroy that future with his own hands.
“Scarlett, you always toss your clothes after one wear anyway. Might as well put that generosity to good use.”
Jason didn’t even glance at Lily. He stayed laser–focused on peeling grapes for me.
But just the scent of those grapes
-flown in from France- was enough to make my chest ache.
Generosity. That was his favorite word lately.
He gave away my dresses, my shoes, my designer bags without even asking me. Even my unopened lingerie.
Every time I got upset, he’d say, “Relax, we can buy more.” Every time, he’d tell me not to be so petty.
Because I was his “spoiled little princess,” I was supposed to give everything to Lily without complaint.
Jason held out the peeled grapes to me. I turned my head away.
He raised an eyebrow, confusion flashing across those sharp features. “Babe, what’s wrong?”
i–looked down, voice steady. “Nothing. Let’s break up.”
But before the words could fully register, the karaoke system blasted on, swallowing my voice whole. When I looked up again, Lily was standing right in front of us.
“Thank you.”
“What?”
It was loud. She had to lean in close to whisper in Jason’s ear–her low–cut neckline leaving nothing to the imagination.
I stood up with a blank face, grabbed Harper by the hand, and walked toward the song menu screen. Mindlessly, I scrolled through the playlist.
Chapter 1
