Where does the flute music come from
Chapter One
My second day back home, my old classmates practically dragged me to a reunion.
And there he was, my first love, Mark Evans, hadn’t seen him in five years.
He proposed, right there in front of everyone, ring and all.
The room erupted.
Everyone thought I’d say yes in a heartbeat, all grateful and teary-eyed.
After all, I was the one who chased him relentlessly back in the day.
Everyone seemed to forget.
At graduation, Mark, for another woman, publicly accused me of plagiarizing my thesis.
He even used false evidence to accuse me of cheating on exams and bullying classmates.
The school revoked my diploma and kicked me out of the ceremony, right there in front of everyone.
After that, I left for Europe, all alone.
Now, back in town, his best friend tells me:
“After you left, Mark pulled some strings with his family and got your diploma back.”
“Even after everything you did, he never forgot you, he’s been waiting for you. He said if you’re willing, you’ll always be his wife.”
“Sarah, are you even listening to me?”
“You know better than anyone how much Mark hates his family, he didn’t even use a dime of their money to start his business. But for your diploma, he lowered himself and asked his father for help!”
The minute I showed up, Mark’s best friend, Liam, plopped down next to me and started rambling.
He looked impatient, almost desperate.
The other classmates were all staring at me, some curious, some sneering.
Honestly, hearing “Mark Evans” after five years felt… strange.
The fiery love I once had for him had long since drowned in the river of time.
Five years ago, I left the country without a word.
So few people back home knew I was married.
I just didn’t know if Liam was asking these questions for himself or if he was sent by someone else.
Not that it mattered.
I pursed my lips and finally spoke:
“Mark and I are ancient history. What you’re telling me means nothing.”
Not just Liam, but everyone in the room stared at me, surprised by my answer.
After all, I had famously and passionately pursued Mark for three whole years.
The drama almost reached the Dean’s office.
Rain or shine, I brought him a warm breakfast every morning.
When his stomach acted up, I’d brave blizzards to find him the right medicine, searching every pharmacy in town.
Whenever a girl confessed her feelings to him, I’d swoop in and mark my territory.
When he wanted to start his business but lacked funds, I emptied my savings account, used up all my allowance, and even sold the necklace my parents gave me for my eighteenth birthday to help him raise the money.
In secret, I lived on ramen noodles and tap water for an entire semester, something I’d never had to do before.
Finally, after all my efforts, Mark agreed to go out with me.
Like any attentive boyfriend, he’d bring me hot chocolate and heating pads when I had cramps.
He’d carry me on his back when I was tired of walking.
When people called me names like “obsessed” or “gold-digger,” he’d defend me without hesitation.
He even talked about our future together when he signed his first contract.
I truly believed he was the one, that we’d grow old together.
Until senior year, when Ashley Peterson showed up.
She was Mark’s childhood sweetheart, freshly transferred to my class after returning from abroad.
At first, I didn’t mind, I even tried to be friends with her.
But slowly, Mark stopped coming to see me as often as he used to.
He started making excuses when I asked him out.
On my birthday, he stood me up. Again.
He said he had a last-minute business trip to the next state over.
Suspicious, I went to his office.
And found Ashley there.
Surrounded by employees.
Some of them were even calling her “Mrs. Evans.”
They all knew I was Mark’s girlfriend.
To make things worse, Mark, who was supposed to be out of town, was right there in the office.
He heard them call Ashley “Mrs. Evans” and didn’t correct them, just smiled.
My heart felt like it was being sliced open.
Tears welled up in my eyes.
When Mark saw me standing there, red-eyed, he didn’t look embarrassed or guilty for lying. He just frowned and asked:
“What are you doing here?”
I’d been spoiled by my parents my whole life, I wasn’t used to being treated badly, so I pointed at Ashley and asked:
“Your business trip involves hanging out with her at the office?”
I wasn’t angry, just calmly asking a question.
Mark frowned and snapped:
“Ashley’s here for an internship, I’m just throwing her a welcome party.”
“Can you not be so jealous? You’re suffocating me!”
