Chapter 1

On the drive home, Ryan Becker kept one hand on the wheel and glanced over at me. Streetlight shadows played across his handsome profile in alternating waves.

"Why are you so quiet?" he started.

I pulled my gaze away from the window and looked down at my bare wrist.

"Nothing to say," I replied softly.

He sighed and stepped on the brake at a red light. He freed up one hand and reached across the center console, habitually trying to squeeze the back of my neck.

I tilted my head slightly, dodging his touch. His hand froze midair for a fraction of a second before he smoothly withdrew it and placed it back on the wheel.

"Still upset about the bracelet?" His tone carried that helpless, indulgent note. "You know how my mom is—old-school. Sabine lost her parents at a young age and grew up with us. My mom has always felt sorry for her. It's just a piece of jewelry. Did you really have to sulk at the dinner table?"

"Sulk?" I hadn't said a word throughout the meal; I had simply eaten my food in silence. But in his mind, failing to smile and play along while Sabine Hansen's bragging meant I was being unreasonable.

"Ryan..."

"Yeah?"

"You told me five years ago that the bracelet would be mine."

The car fell dead silent for a second. A horn honked from behind to urge us forward because the light had turned green.

Ryan stepped on the gas, and the car glided smoothly forward.

"The company was just starting back then," he said dismissively. "We didn't have money for anything nice. It was just a casual promise to make you happy, and you're still holding onto that?"

He chuckled carelessly. "Now? We're not hurting for one old bracelet. I'm heading to another country next month. I'll bring you a custom diamond necklace. Way better than that old bracelet. Don't sweat the small stuff, alright?"

He was always like this—using the gentlest voice to effortlessly erase every future I had ever anticipated.

Five years ago, he bought me a cheap silver bracelet at a stall. He slipped it onto my wrist and promised solemnly, "Once I make it big, I'll have my mom personally put our heirloom on you. I'm going to give you the wedding of your dreams."

I was still wearing that silver bracelet on my left wrist. It had already oxidized and turned black.

The car pulled into the underground parking lot. Ryan unbuckled his seatbelt and turned toward me. "Tomorrow's the weekend. Where do you want to go? I'm all yours for the whole day."

In the past, I would have happily looked up travel guides and planned the day with a full itinerary. Now? I only felt exhausted.

"No need," I said, opening the car door. "I have to clean the apartment tomorrow."

Ryan got out of the car, locked the doors, and caught up with me in a few quick strides. He wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder.

"Are you really mad?" His breath brushed against my ear, carrying a faint scent of wine. "Sabine just got the bracelet today, and she's so excited she can't sleep. She wants me to take her tomorrow to find a matching dress."

He paused. "You know her taste is terrible, and she's depended on me since we were kids. I'll go with her in the morning and come back to be with you in the afternoon, okay?"

"Yeah," I said quietly.

He smiled with satisfaction and kissed my cheek. "I knew you'd understand."

Once inside the apartment, he went straight into the bathroom to shower. I walked to the entryway, hung my bag on the coat rack, and unzipped it.

Inside lay a document undisturbed—the admission notice for an advanced program at the Académie des Hautes-Muses in Phaelis. At the very bottom line was my signature, freshly inked just this afternoon.

I pulled it out and tucked it into the inner compartment of my half-packed suitcase.

The sound of running water echoed from the bathroom. I walked out onto the balcony and texted my old study-abroad friend.

[Alice, my flight leaves early the day after tomorrow.]

Alice Harrison replied instantly: [Finally! You made the right choice. Screw the long wait. Once you're in Phaelis , I'll introduce you to every hot French guy I know.]

I looked at the screen and smiled faintly.