Chapter 1Vengeance of the First Love

I couldn't sleep last night, so I was mindlessly scrolling through short videos on my phone.

I stumbled upon a trending question: "Just how much damage can a man's unforgettable first love do?"

Right there in the top comments was my boyfriend's reply. "She was just diagnosed with terminal cancer. But all I can think about is how glad I am that she isn't her."

Well. That was awkward.

Especially since my cancer turned out to be a misdiagnosis.

* * *

The day I walked out of the hospital clutching a terminal cancer diagnosis, Sebastian was still throwing a tantrum because I hadn't delivered breakfast to him after his night of heavy drinking.

I had been with Sebastian for three years. For three years, I had been the perfect, compliant girlfriend. I worked like a dog, swallowed my pride, and never uttered a single word of complaint.

He would get wasted at some exclusive club, call me in the dead of night, and demand I bring him a bowl of homemade soup.

And when I rushed over to deliver it, he would toss it straight into the trash without blinking. Then he would turn to his wealthy friends and smirk. "Told you she'd come crawling. Pay up."

When he was caught flirting with other women, he would force me to step in, use my status as his official girlfriend, and clean up his mess.

Afterward, he would brag to his inner circle. "As long as Stella stays this obedient, I might just let her stick around."

Yes. Sebastian was the most notorious playboy in our social circle.

He was young, insanely wealthy, drop-dead gorgeous, and knew exactly how to play the game. Rumor had it he was incredible in bed, too.

He was adored in this elite world. During our time together, practically every other month I would get a phone call from some socialite demanding I step down and make room for her.

The only reason I managed to stay by his side for so long was pure, unadulterated obedience.

And the fact that I looked exactly like his first love.

Over the years, I had heard the tragic tale of his "white moonlight" from countless gossiping mouths.

They were childhood sweethearts. Families of equal status. The ultimate first love trope.

If tragedy hadn't struck, they would have walked down the aisle and merged their empires. But right before their engagement, her family abruptly declared bankruptcy. The arranged marriage was instantly canceled by Sebastian's ruthless father. Heartbroken, the girl fled to Europe and never looked back.

Every time Sebastian paraded a new woman around, someone would maliciously recount this story to me. My ears were practically callous from hearing it.

They were reminding me of my place. I was just a cheap stand-in. I was no different from the rest of his disposable toys.

Even Sebastian's friends constantly told me I should be counting my lucky stars just to breathe the same air as him.

Usually, I had the patience to stroke Sebastian's massive ego.

But I thought I was dying. I had zero patience left for his toxic games.

When he called to complain about breakfast, I snapped. "I don't have time today. Buy your own damn food."

He clearly hadn't expected me to talk back. He froze for a second. "You want me to buy takeout? You know my stomach is a mess, and you're telling me to eat garbage?"

Suddenly, the whole charade felt incredibly exhausting. "If your stomach hurts, go see a doctor. I'm not a physician. What the hell is calling me going to do?"

I hung up immediately and blocked his number.

A massive wave of relief washed over me.

Three days ago, I received a phone call from across the Atlantic. It was Sebastian's legendary first love.

She told me she was flying back. My mission was over.

Everyone thought my three years of enduring Sebastian's sadistic mood swings was because I was desperately, hopelessly in love with him.

They were wrong.

Molly had paid me three million dollars to buy three years of my life.

Molly. Sebastian's untouchable first love.