Chapter 2

Lira's POV

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless. Is this what he really thinks of me? Is this the man I've spent three years loving? I wanted to run, but my legs felt leaden, refusing to move.

Vanessa laughed loudly, pressing closer to him. "You're too kind, Connor. I could tell she wasn't good enough for you ages ago. That cheap perfume and small-town accent—God, every time she tries to join our conversations, I cringe for her."

"Yeah," Connor sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "She is a bit... out of place. But she's obedient, you know, always trying so hard to make me happy."

Obedient? Like a pet? Anger flared in my chest like flames. I've given him so much, changed my clothes, my way of speaking, even my friends, because I thought he loved me. And this is how he feels?

Vanessa's slender fingers caressed Connor's cheek as she leaned forward. "And I," she whispered, her lips almost touching his, "don't have to try to make you happy."

Her lips covered his, and I watched Connor's hands immediately climb to her waist, pulling her closer. Their kiss was deep, passionate, completely oblivious, as Connor's hands traced down her spine, greedily caressing her curves.

I took a silent step backward, but my foot knocked against something. The sound of breaking glass was like thunder in my ears.

The two jerked apart, and Connor's face drained of color when he saw me.

"Lira!" His voice was dry. "This isn't—"

"Not what it looks like?" My voice sounded strangely calm, as if someone else was speaking. "Funny, because it looks exactly like my boyfriend kissing another woman right after telling me I'm worthless."

"Baby, you misunderstood, she came onto me—"

"Three years," I cut him off, feeling a strange calmness descend, as if all the pain had become distant. "For three years I've been changing myself, doubting myself, trying to be the girlfriend you wanted. And you, you put me down in front of everyone, mock me behind my back, and now betray me."

Vanessa smirked as she adjusted her hair. "Don't be so dramatic, Lira. Everyone knows you and Connor aren't from the same world. If you spent less time obsessing over that crappy violin and more understanding Connor's needs—"

"What Connor needs," I said coldly, "is a pretty vase with no personality. Congratulations, the position is now yours."

"Enough!" Connor grabbed my arm. "We'll talk privately."

I pulled away. "Let go. We have nothing left to discuss. This relationship is over."

Saying those words felt so liberating, like lifting a boulder that had been crushing my chest for three years.

"You can't just—" Connor began, but was interrupted.

"She just did, asshole!" Sophie appeared behind me, her eyes flashing with anger.

"Mind your own business, bitch," Vanessa hissed.

I'd never seen Sophie move like that—so fast she was almost a blur. The next second, she had Vanessa by her perfectly styled hair as Vanessa screamed and clawed. Connor tried to separate them but caught Sophie's elbow straight to his nose, blood immediately gushing.

The entire party erupted into chaos as Sophie grabbed my hand. "Let's go! Nothing worth staying for at this garbage party!"

We bolted out the door with Connor shouting my name behind us, his voice muffled by his bloody nose.

I ran without looking back, tears drying in the wind, my heart feeling strangely lighter.

---

"Another round!" Sophie raised her glass, her voice carrying over the string quartet playing "Moonlight Sonata" in the corner of the bar. "Tonight we're celebrating!"

"Celebrating my breakup?" I smiled wryly, though two cocktails had already improved my mood considerably.

"Celebrating your freedom!" she corrected. "That rich parasite has been suffocating your talent. Do you know how many times I wanted to grab your shoulders and shake you, tell you Connor Davis wasn't worthy of you?"

"Maybe I should be more realistic," I swirled my drink, watching the ice cubes spin in the colorful liquid.

"Bullshit," Sophie said firmly. "You're the most soulful violinist I've ever heard. When you play, the melody can break hearts. Masters like Nathan Hayes don't waste time on mediocre students."

The bartender brought our fresh drinks, and Sophie raised her glass. "To applying for Professor Hayes's selection, to making Connor Davis regret for the rest of his life!"

"To new beginnings," I clinked glasses with her, feeling a genuine spark of hope for the first time.

Sophie soon spotted her target across the bar—a tall redheaded guy. She looked at me apologetically. "I want to go say hi to that one over there. You'll be okay, right?"

"Go!" I encouraged, waving her off. "We've had enough drama tonight. Go have some fun."

As alcohol flowed through my veins, I felt a lightness I hadn't experienced in ages. The quartet was playing one of my favorite Bach pieces, and I closed my eyes, letting the music wash over me, feeling for the first time that I could control my own life.

"Is this seat taken?" A deep male voice interrupted my thoughts.

I opened my eyes to see a tall man standing before me, gesturing to the empty seat beside me. Up close, he was striking—broad shoulders, deep blue-gray eyes, and black hair that just brushed his collar. He carried a contradictory aura, somehow both elegantly refined and dangerously wild.

"Yes, it is," I lied instinctively, suddenly wary. I've had enough men for one night.

He didn't seem offended, his lips curving into a half-smile. "Your friend appears to have found more interesting entertainment," he nodded toward Sophie, who was laughing heartily at something the redhead had said, her fingers casually brushing his arm.

His voice was like fine whiskey, rich and warm, making my defenses soften slightly. Suddenly, he inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring slightly, eyes flashing with something I couldn't interpret.

"So what?" I challenged, raising an eyebrow. "Are we playing 'observe your friend flirting' now?"