Chapter 1
Melody Wolfe was sweet, gentle, and always did what she was told-a perfect good girl her whole life,
But when she was 15, she fell hard for her best friend’s older brother Landon Crow.
He was the most notorious player in the entire NYC elite social scene, with a revolving door of girlfriends.
No one ever thought their paths would cross, but they secretly dated for three years, hiding it from everyone.
And no one ever also thought three years after their breakup, they ran into each other again at a gala.
The boy who once called her his “good girl” had transformed into a ruthless and decisive man of the business world.
Melody sat in the furthest corner, watching someone sidle up to Landon.
“Heard you came here tonight specifically for the one that got away’. Never thought I’d see the day-a player actually carrying a torch for someone. So, where is
she?”
He slouched lazily against the sofa, his tone deliberately nonchalant. “Hasn’t shown up yet.”
Melody couldn’t stand to listen anymore and turned to leave.
Later, at a college reunion, everyone was playing Truth or Dare.
The bottle landed on the department sweetheart, Melody.
But when they called her phone, a man’s voice answered, “Sorry, she’s asleep.”
t was the first time anyone had ever seen Landon-a man who wouldn’t flinch if a mountain collapsed in front of him-suddenly go pale and bolt out the door ike a man possessed.
nside the apartment, he held her tight, his lips brushing against the tip of her nose as his eyes, rimmed with red, begged her to take him back.
Jesus, babe, are you trying to be the death of me? Is that what you want?”
On a scorching summer day, in the debate hall.
The Northwood University debate team, led by Landon, was systematically dismantling their opponents from Capital Tech. Less than half an hour in, the match vas already decided.
Finally, after Landon delivered his closing statement, the auditorium erupted in a wave of thunderous applause.
Melody sat in the audience, her gentle eyes fixed on the brilliant boy on stage, the center of everyone’s attention.
he was happy for his victory but also felt a pang of sadness over the galaxy-sized distance between them.
Beside her, Elodie Cooper was ecstatic, grabbing her hand.
‘Haha, Mel, I knew Landon would win!”
Sensing Melody’s mood, Elodie tilted her head, glanced at the guy on stage, then back at Melody, instantly understanding. “Mel, what if you tried telling him how you feel today?”
As Landon’s cousin and Melody’s best friend, she was probably the only person in the world who knew Melody’s secret.
Melody froze for a second, then shook her head. “No, forget it. The timing isn’t right.”
As the audience started to file out, she watched as one pretty girl after another rushed toward Landon.
Flodie glanced over at Landon too, her voice tinged with frustration. “Landon is such a player. He’s never without a flock of girls.”
Melody gave a wry smile.
Everyone at Northwood University knew who Landon Crow was-the brilliant, handsome prodigy of the law school, a charming player, and a notorious heartbreaker.
Walking back to the dorm with Elodie, Melody was silent.
“Mel, why do you even like Landon? A good girl like you, you guys are from two different planets. And if you like him this much, why are you so scared to just
tell him?”
Melody’s gaze suddenly drifted, her mind going back to an afternoon three years ago.
Back in high school, after a teacher shamed her for paying tuition a few days late and the boys in her class mocked her for it, she’d hidden on the rooftop to cry, only to accidentally stumble into Landon’s territory.
To this day, Melody could still remember that afternoon: the boy who smelled faintly of mint, his impossibly handsome face, and the pack of tissues he’d offered
ier.
And his words, “Tears are the most useless thing in the world. The only way to get to a place where other people’s words can’t hurt you is to become so damn good they can’t ignore you.”
napping out of her memory, Melody said softly, “Because, I’m still not good enough.”
lodie stared at her, shocked. “You’re not good enough? You’re gorgeous! In the last language department ‘Sweetheart’ vote, you would’ve won if Leah Vance
adn’t cheated! Mel, if you like Landon that much, you have to make a move.”
You’ve had this crush for so long, you owe it to yourself to get an answer. Don’t let someone else beat you to it!”
Melody stopped walking, her eyes filled with hesitation.
You really think I could?”
eeing that she was finally getting through to her, Elodie pressed on. “Of course! You have to at least try once, right?”
Melody bit her lip, hesitating for a long moment. Finally, for the first time in her life, she summoned her courage, turned around, and ran back toward the lebate hall.
he moment she stepped inside, her heart started pounding in her chest. Melody slowly made her way forward between the rows of empty seats.
uddenly, a girl’s playful complaint echoed through the quiet auditorium.
Ugh, you’re the worst.”
Melody froze, half-hidden behind a block of seats. She looked up at the stage and saw her: Leah Vance, the language department’s ‘Sweetheart’, with her arms wrapped around Landon’s waist, acting cute.
nd he was perched on the edge of a table, casually watching the girl in front of him, a rebellious smirk playing at the corners of his eyes.
eah looked up from his arms and asked sweetly, “So, are you going to be my boyfriend or not?”
andon nonchalantly twirled a strand of her long hair. “Sure, why not.”
eah blushed. “So that’s a yes. You can’t take it back!”
Vith that, she snuggled tightly back into his arms.
Melody stood there, completely frozen, before silently turning and heading back to her dorm.
19:22
From Nebedute
