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 . 1/3 12:43 Tue , Aug 12 Chapter 1 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 . ***** X +15 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 2/8 12:43 Tue , Aug 12 95 % 0 X +15 Chapter 1 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 . " 3/3