Never Look Back Again

As the daughter of a billionaire, I grew up in a world full of luxury. But when I turned 18, I gave everything I had to my brother's best friend, Nathan Gildon.

He was the one my brother trusted most, the one he personally brought up. Nathan was smart and ambitious, and when he smiled, it felt as if he was handing you the whole world.

I had had a crush on him for years.

Last night, I thought he finally loved me back. I thought I wasn't just the girl who snuck glances at him across crowded parties anymore.

I thought I was the woman he'd bring into his future.

But the next morning, I heard him on the balcony, laughing with an investor friend.

"Mavis is just practice. I need some experience before I pursue Claire. Besides, her family can open a lot of doors for me."

I didn't cry, question him, or explain myself.

I just packed my bags and changed my college applications. One week later, I was on a plane to Eltoria.

And the man who betrayed me that night? He went crazy trying to win me back.

At the end of the hallway, laughter slipped out through the crack in the door.

The second I made out the words, I froze where I was standing.

"You're something else, Nathan. Using a rich heiress as practice? That's wild."

Nathan Gildon laughed.

"Well, she was practically begging me to sleep with her. But she's had a crush on me for years, and I was her first. Guess that's a win for her.

"I got caught up in the romantic mood last night. She looked like she really wanted it, so… I helped her out."

The room exploded in laughter.

My nails dug deep into my palms, cold sweat soaking my hands. Every sweet word Nathan whispered in my ear last night now cut through my bones like blades.

Footsteps came closer.

I stumbled back, then bolted down the stairs, as if I was running for my life.

Back home, my tears broke loose, and they streamed out faster than I could stop them.

The shame, disgust, and fury I felt made my whole body tremble.

Last night, I thought it was love. Today, I learned he thought of our first time as practice.

Every ounce of my pride and love was shredded by his mocking words.

If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I never would've believed those cruel things came from the same man who had held me so close just hours ago.

It turned out that people could sleep with someone they didn't love. They could whisper love into your ear even when they didn't mean a single word.

I'd loved him in silence for six years. I thought I finally got what I wanted, but I was simply seen as a joke, a story to laugh about.

A little while later, my phone buzzed. Nathan's name lit up the screen.

[Things happened too fast last night, and I forgot to wear a condom. I don't remember if I finished inside you. Just grab a morning-after pill.

[I don't have time for you tonight, so don't come looking for me.]

I stared at those two messages and let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Last night, we did it all night long. I thought the reason he wanted me again and again was because he loved me too much to stop.

Now, I finally saw it for what it really was—he was just using my body as practice.

I couldn't stop myself from wondering, almost torturing myself with the thought: If it had been Claire Ingram, would Nathan have forgotten protection? Would he have cared more about her than his own pleasure?

I took the morning-after pill, then thought back on the six years I'd chased after him. All I could feel was how ridiculous I'd been.

My family had one of the most powerful business empires in the world. We had wealth and status. My brother, Andrew Read, was basically a legend—everyone knew his name for his genius in business.

Nathan had moved in next door six years ago. Because I had feelings for Nathan, Andrew took him under his wing and taught him how the business world worked.

But the truth was, Nathan had been using me this whole time.

While I was drowning in that pain, my best friend, Phoebe Love, sent me a voice message.

"I thought you'd come to the party with Nathan tonight. Guess who I saw clinging onto him again? That annoying Claire from the class next door."

Then came a video.