Chapter 1

The ballroom buzzed, a low hum of expensive perfume and quiet money.

Five years.

Five years I'd poured into Ethan Cartwright, into us.

Tonight was supposed to be the prelude to forever, our engagement party.

I smoothed down the silk of my dress, a nervous flutter in my stomach.

He was late, as usual.

I slipped out to the terrace, needing air.

His voice, unmistakable, carried from an alcove.

"Grandfather's finally off my back about Isabelle. That little scandal of hers was a nightmare."

A friend's muffled reply.

Then Ethan, clearer, colder.

"Sarah? She's perfect. Adorably naive, utterly devoted. She won't rock the boat. Won't challenge me. And she certainly won't interfere with Isabelle."

My breath hitched.

The words hit me, one by one, like stones.

Naive. Devoted. Won't interfere.

My world fractured.

The champagne flute slipped from my numb fingers, shattering on the stone.

I turned, stumbling away, tears blurring the city lights.

I didn't see the edge of the step.

Pain exploded in my head, then darkness.

I woke up to the smell of antiseptic.

A sterile white room.

A dull ache throbbed behind my eyes.

A nurse smiled. "Welcome back, Ms. Miller. You took quite a tumble."

Tumble?

My parents rushed in, their faces etched with worry.

"Sarah, honey, are you okay?" Mom asked, her voice trembling.

Dad squeezed my hand. "You gave us a scare."

They explained I'd fallen, hit my head. Selective amnesia, the doctor said.

Certain recent memories might be... gone.

"Ethan..." Mom started, then hesitated.

Ethan? The name meant nothing. A blank.

"Who?" I asked.

My parents exchanged a look.

"Honey," Dad said gently, "we think it's best you come back to Chicago for a while. Rest, recover."

Mom chimed in, "And we want you to meet someone. Noah Evans. Son of the Hendersons, our old friends from Denver. A wonderful young man."

Chicago. A new face. It sounded... peaceful.

The thought of New York, of whatever I'd forgotten, felt heavy, oppressive.

"Okay," I whispered. "I'll come home."

Dad booked the flight. A fresh start.

A chance to leave behind a life I couldn't even remember.