chapter 1

Lexie couldn't stop crying as she clutched a shot glass. She knew people at the bar were staring at her, but she didn't care.

"Pshhh, what do they know about me? People keep staring, and it's pissing me off. Have they never seen a miserable woman before?"

She sobbed, frustration lacing her voice. She must have spoken louder than she intended because the bartender glanced in her direction.

"What?"

Lexie snapped at him.

"A-Are you okay, ma'am?"

The bartender's concerned tone made her roll her eyes.

"Do I look okay? My stupid fiancé got my stupid cousin pregnant, and they're getting married. So no, I am not okay. Okay now? Can you leave me alone?"

She downed her shot of scotch in one gulp, squeezing her eyes shut as the bitter burn trailed down her throat.

For a moment, she wondered how many shots she'd already had, but she dismissed the thought. Instead, she gestured for the meddlesome bartender to pour her another.

"Rafael is getting married. My stupid, stupid fiancé is marrying someone else..."

She laughed bitterly, but the laughter quickly morphed into heart-wrenching sobs.

The pain in her chest grew heavier by the day, and she hated how miserable she felt.

She and Rafael had been together for seven years. Two years ago, he proposed, and she spent those years preparing for their wedding. Yet the moment she let her guard down, he betrayed her.

It might have been bearable if it had been with a stranger. But just last week, she had caught him and her cousin Amanda in bed—at Amanda's place. Then, to make things worse, she found out Amanda was pregnant. And Rafael was the father.

As if that wasn't painful enough, her cousin had shamelessly announced earlier that day that she and Rafael were getting married.

"One year..."

She whispered to herself, desperately trying to hold back the fresh wave of tears.

"They've been deceiving me for a year, and I didn't even notice... God, I am so stupid..."

"Get revenge."

Lexie's head snapped up, her tears falling even faster as the bartender spoke.

"As if it were that easy, right?"

She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"It's simple. Just think of something that will hit him where it hurts the most," the bartender said with a sly smile.

"Come on, you're just saying that to make me feel better, aren't you?"

She wiped her tear-streaked face.

"You've been crying for a while now."

"Oh, and you think telling me to get revenge will fix everything?"

She frowned, making the bartender chuckle and nod.

"Ugh, you just gave me a stupid idea. Why am I even talking to you?"

She huffed, but then paused, deep in thought.

"But you know… you might be right. If I get back at them and make them feel the same pain… will I feel better?"

She mused absentmindedly.

"Possibly. Remember when we were kids, and it felt good to get even with those who wronged us?"

The bartender grinned.

She fell into deep thought, only to scowl moments later.

"You don't make sense. Just go back to work and let me be miserable in peace."

She waved him off irritably, but he just smiled and placed two more shots of scotch in front of her.

"On the house. Because you're heartbroken."

With a smirk, he walked away.

It was past eleven, and Lexie was still at the bar. She knew she had drunk a lot—her head was spinning, and her vision was hazy.

"Hey, you're here."

"Yeah, what's up?"

"I'm glad to see you here, Ram Jordan."

Lexie's gaze shot up at the mention of that name.

Ram Jordan…

Had she drunk so much that she was now hearing her ex-fiancé's last name?

When she looked up, she was met with the sight of a handsome, well-dressed man.

He exuded wealth and confidence, standing tall with a muscular build that made her think he could lift three of her at once.

His tanned skin, sharp gaze, straight nose, and chiseled jawline only added to his striking appearance.

'Oh, my God. He's gorgeous…'

She averted her eyes immediately.

'What the hell? I'm still crying over my cheating ex, and now I'm checking out a hunk?'

She scolded herself.

"So, what's a Ram Jordan doing in my bar?"

The bartender's voice pulled Lexie out of her thoughts.

Ram Jordan…

So she hadn't misheard his name.

"Wait… No way."

Lexie's eyes widened as a possibility struck her.

Was this man related to her cheating ex?

She subtly studied his face, comparing his features to Rafael's.

'No way… Impossible…'

She mumbled under her breath, unaware that Ram had heard her.

"Can I help you?"

He frowned.

She quickly shook her head.

"You've been staring at me for a while now. Do you have something to say?"

He asked, irritation in his tone.

"I-I just thought you looked f-familiar…"

She lied and quickly looked away.

'Impossible… Maybe they just have the same last name.'

She reassured herself, still unaware that she was staring at him again.

"If you have something to say, just say it. You staring at me like that is creeping me out."

He snapped. Feeling embarrassed, Lexie rolled her eyes.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

She blurted out without thinking, making him scoff.

"I'm rich. I can buy my own drink."

He replied curtly.

"Hah! Arrogant much? Oh, sure, Mr. Moneybags."

She retorted with a scowl.

"Why the hell are you staring at me?"

"Is it a crime to look at you?"

"Yes, because staring is rude."

"No, you're the rude one."

Their argument grew louder.

Lexie thought about it—personality-wise, this man was nothing like Rafael.

"You are nothing like him…"

She murmured without realizing it.

Ram frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Look, I didn't mean to stare. You just looked familiar, and I thought you were someone I knew."

She explained.

Instead of accepting her answer, he smirked.

"Well, clearly, I'm not."

"Yes, clearly, you're not."

She shot back, glaring at him.

The bartender whispered something to Ram, and based on his reaction, Lexie knew they were talking about her.

Whether it was good or bad, she didn't care. She was too heartbroken to argue.

Lexie was about to leave when Ram muttered something that made her freeze.

"So your ex left you? How sad."

Her cheeks burned with anger.

Without thinking, she grabbed a shot glass and hurled it at him.

"What the hell?!"

He shouted as the drink splashed onto his expensive suit.

"You're an asshole, so you don't get to be mad."

She glared at him.

"You're crazy. No wonder your ex left you for someone else."

Lexie fell silent.

He had no right to say that.

He didn't even know her.

She let out a bitter smile before grabbing an empty shot glass and throwing it at him again, hitting his forehead.

"You have no right to say that, you stupid old cow!"

Her voice cracked with anger.

She wanted to hold his gaze defiantly, but the tears she thought had dried up fell once more.

She slumped onto her barstool, sobbing uncontrollably.

Ram hesitated before handing her a handkerchief.

"Hey, stop crying. People will think I hurt you. I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean it—I was just pissed."

He admitted.

Instead of stopping, Lexie cried even harder.

"I'm so stupid… They fooled me for a year, and I didn't even notice…"

Ram awkwardly patted her back.

"Stop crying… Okay, can I buy you a drink?"

She sniffled and nodded.

"Okay, wait here."

She watched as he approached the bartender and returned with two glasses of expensive-looking liquor.

"Here."

He offered her one.

"I'm really sorry for what I said."

"I-It's okay…"

"My name is Ram, by the way. Ram Jordan."

He introduced himself, extending his hand.

Lexie hesitated before shaking it.

"I-I'm Lexie."

"Are you from around here? You look too young to be drinking alone."

"I'm not a kid."

She frowned.

"I'm just visiting… for my nephew's wedding."

Lexie froze.

"W-Wedding?"

"Yeah. My nephew Rafael Jordan is getting married. Do you know him?"

Lexie's jaw dropped.

'Oh my God… This gorgeous hunk is my stupid ex's uncle?!'