Chapter 1
By the 7th year with Gavin Foster, Cecilia Jordan was ready to walk down the aisle. She had prepared her wedding dress, just waiting for him to pop the question.
They had shared every first, first crush, first kiss, first heartbreak, from college classrooms to office meetings. Somewhere along the way, Cecilia had disappeared into just being Gavin’s girl.
Word had been going around about Gavin and that college girl he was helping out. Cecilia’s friends warned her, but she ignored it, until her pre–marriage health checkup.
There was Gavin, who had said he was in meetings, holding some girl’s hand during her blood draw. He fussed over that girl like she was made of glass, his face all soft with concern. Cecilia’s fingers trembled as she crumpled the lab slip and dropped it in the trash.
*****
“Cecilia, Mr. Quinn’s nephew is back from overseas. He’s hoping to set up a meeting for you two.” On the phone, Cecilia’s mother Lily Terry carefully brought up the subject. When Cecilia stayed silent, Lily quickly added, “Unless you’re not interested. I can always say no.”
“Mom, tell Mr. Quinn I’ll meet his nephew,” Cecilia said calmly. Lily paused in surprise. Last time, Cecilia had firmly refused it. “I’ve switched divisions at work,” Cecilia continued, “so I’m not stuck at work late anymore. Just let me know the details when they’re set.”
Hanging up the phone, Cecilia got out of the car with a designer shopping bag in hand. She had just picked up the gift from a high–end boutique downtown. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her dress and walked toward the hotel entrance.
The hotel’s fifth–floor ballroom glittered with decorations. A lavish spread covered the buffet tables in honor of Stella Yates joining Foster Group. Dressed in white Dior with a sparkling tiara, Stella stood surrounded by admirers, just like a pampered princess.
The crowd started chanting “Kiss! Kiss!” as they nudged Stella toward Gavin. With a giggle, Stella linked her arms with Gavin for the champagne toast. But with two sips in, she was already swaying, tumbling right into Gavin’s waiting arms.
Then someone spotted Cecilia entering and gasped her name, their face going rigid. The party noise died instantly. Flushed, Stella tried to wiggle free from Gavin’s grip, but he pulled her closer instead, completely unbothered by Cecilia’s arrival. “You’re late,” was all he said about missing their appointment.
Cecilia offered a composed smile, blaming the heavy rain and bad traffic for her late arrival. Gavin barely glanced at her as he took the gift bag. Turning to Stella, his voice warmed, “Remember my promise? A welcome gift for joining Foster Group.” With theatrical flair, he presented the velvet box.
Stella’s eyes widened in shock, then immediately sparkled with delight. “It’s perfect. My absolute favorite!” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “Thank you, Gavin,” she added, her gaze shining with adoration.
“Here, let me,” Gavin murmured, taking her hand with unexpected tenderness. His face was strangely serious as he slid the ring onto her finger, the moment so intimate it could’ve passed for a marriage proposal.
Phones lit up across the room as the crowd eagerly snapped photos. “That ring says it all,” a voice called out. Others chimed in, “Stella’s clearly under Mr. Foster’s protection now.” The crowd burst into cheers.
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Gavin pulled Stella close, whispering in her ear, “How should you thank me?” Stella stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. With a doting smile, Gavin announced to everyone, “Starting today, Stella will be my personal assistant.” Cecilia’s breath hitched. Memories came rushing back.
*****
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Cecilia was seven when Gavin moved in next door. The first time they met, he told her she was pretty and started coming over every day. He always held her hand and said, “Cecilia, I’ll protect you.” And he did. He never let anyone bully her, kept other boys away, and made sure she didn’t date anyone.
On the night of her 18th birthday, after a glass of wine, Cecilia finally asked what she had always wondered. “Why won’t you let me date anyone?” she demanded, cheeks flushed. “I’m not a kid anymore, Gavin. I want to be with someone, like a normal girl.”
Gavin, deadly serious, cornered her in a secluded spot and declared, “If you want to be with someone, it has to be me. I’ve waited eleven years for you. I won’t let you be with anyone else, because I like you.” Their first kiss was awkward, all missed angles and nervous laughter, but it made her heart race anyway.
During college, she and Gavin were always together. When people made fun of him for being born out of wedlock, she stood up for him without hesitation. She even gave him a precious jade carving, helping him win some respect from the Foster family.
Later, her family lost everything. After her father died, her mother had to move her younger brother and her from their big house to a small, run–down home in the countryside. That same year, Gavin’s real father finally claimed him, bringing him into the wealthy Foster family.
Everyone thought he would leave her. But when he won the university marathon, sweaty and breathless, he pulled her close and announced to the crowd, “Cecilia’s my girl. We’re staying together until we’re old and gray.” That was her happiest
moment.
After graduation, she gave up the chance to study abroad and chose to work as Gavin’s secretary at Foster Group. Day and night, she stayed by his side, supporting him as he secured his position as the heir. She looked forward to a future where they would marry, have children, and grow old together.
Then Stella appeared. That was when Cecilia realized the boy who had promised to marry her had never actually meant those words. Somehow, between then and now, his heart had strayed.
*****
“Cecilia, come help me cut the cake.” Stella called out with a bright voice as she hurried across the room. She held out a hand, her smile warm and inviting.
Cecilia stepped back, letting Stella’s hand hang in the air. Her eyes turned frosty as she replied in a tone like chilled steel, “No need. I want no part in your celebrations.”
Stella lowered her head, her eyes reddening. Gavin stepped forward immediately, his voice tight with irritation. “Why take it out on Stella? It’s her first day. Was getting her the gift she wanted so wrong? You’re transferring out the moment she joins. Since when are you this petty?”
Before Cecilia could speak, Gavin took a black card from his wallet and shoved it at her. “Enough drama,” he snapped. “Go get that Chanel bag you’ve wanted for a long time.”
A bitter laugh escaped Cecilia’s lips. He had always known what she wanted, yet never cared enough to give it. Their
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childhood love had curdled into something sour. Seven years without a ring said everything. “Let’s end this,” she whispered, voice cracking, eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Gavin’s expression darkened, his voice sharp with irritation. “You begged for marriage, now you’re ending it? Throwing a fit over nothing? I won’t baby you anymore. You chose this. Don’t come crying later.”
“Fine.” Cecilia drew a shaky breath, steadying herself. Behind them, Stella’s cheerful call for a group photo hung in the air, but Gavin didn’t even glance back as he strode off.
As Cecilia left the hotel, her phone buzzed with a WhatsApp notification. There was Stella’s post in the company group, [Best day ever. Found my person.], and a photo showing her surrounded by gifts with Gavin’s ring front and center.
Beneath the photo, Stella had deliberately tagged Cecilia with [Thanks @Cecilia]. A hollow laugh escaped Cecilia’s lips. The old sting was gone. She tapped the thumbs–up icon, exhaled, and closed the app without looking back.
*****
At around 3 am, Gavin staggered through the door, reeking of alcohol. The lights were still on–clearly, Cecilia had returned and was waiting for him. “Cecilia, I drank too much. My head hurts. Give me a massage.” He collapsed onto the living room sofa and fell asleep instantly.
*****
The next morning, Gavin’s assistant called, jerking him awake. “Mr. Foster, it’s 8:30. You missed the morning meeting.” Gavin squinted at the clock, rubbing his pounding head, ‘Where’s Cecilia? She never forgets my schedule.
“Cecilia?” He searched through every room, but found them all empty. For a brief moment, he stood stunned, but then let out a dismissive scoff. “I’ve been too soft on her,” he muttered. “Let her stew for a few days. She’ll come begging soon enough.”
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