Chapter 1

I was with Julian Vance for three years.

And his favorite thing to do was play pranks on me.

In those three years, he played 996 pranks.

For the 997th, just as I was about to go on stage for my dance finals, he sent me a text. He said his heart was pounding so hard he was about to collapse.

I didn't hesitate. I dropped everything and rushed home, only to find him drinking with his buddies.

"See? I told you she'd come back," he boasted. "My little Flora always worries about me the most."

I tried to console myself. It was just a prank. He was okay, and that's what mattered.

But just as I was about to tell him I was pregnant, I overheard him on the phone with his closest female friend.

"Chloe, you promised me. As soon as I prank Flora 999 times, you'll be with me."

"Just two more to go."

It finally hit me. I wasn't his girlfriend. I was just a tool for him to win over Chloe Summers.

Later, when I'd had enough, I used one of his own pranks to fake my death and disappear.

When we met again, he was the one on his knees, crying and begging for my forgiveness.

...

Through the door, Julian's friends were still egging him on.

"Chloe, look how much Julian loves you! He put up with that girl for three years just for you. You can't back out now!"

"Can't wait for Julian to make it official! I never liked that Flora anyway, always stealing your spotlight."

...

Their loud laughter faded into a buzz. The only thing I could hear was Julian's voice echoing in my head.

"Every single moment with her felt disgusting."

I bit my lip so hard it hurt, trying to fight back the acid rising in my throat.

So, he never loved me. Being with me was just a game to impress Chloe.

Thinking back, every single one of his pranks seemed to revolve around her.

Once, during a blizzard, he called me to bring him some work files. But he was actually at the mall next door, shopping with Chloe, leaving me to wait in the snow for three hours.

I ended up with a 104-degree fever the next day and missed a major performance.

Another time, Chloe was in a bad mood, so he and his friends decided it would be fun to smear my birthday cake all over the apartment.

Then he claimed he had to leave for an urgent business trip, leaving me alone to clean up a mess that took three whole days.

...

From the other room, Julian's voice cut through the noise again.

"Alright, keep it down."

"This worked out perfectly. Flora missed her finals, so now the championship is all yours, Chloe."

He knew how much that championship meant to me. But he used my love for him to trick me, all for her.

I slumped to the floor, my vision blurring with tears. I felt like such an idiot.

My instructor’s call came right on cue. "Flora, you've really disappointed me..."

My voice choked with sobs as I cut her off. "I was wrong, professor."

"That intensive dance program you mentioned… the one starting in a couple of weeks? Are there still any spots left?"

She sounded surprised. "That's a three-year commitment overseas, Flora. Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes," I said, a new resolve hardening inside me.

If the love I fought for was nothing but a cruel joke, then I didn't want it.

And I didn't want to be anywhere near Julian Vance ever again.