The Invisible Girlfriend's New Start

After three years of being the agreeable, invisible girlfriend to my tech CEO boyfriend, Edward, I finally left him. Then Brody Frazier, his charming rival, swept into my life, determined to use me to get under Edward's skin.

But at a tech gala, Edward cornered me, publicly declaring his love and flashing a "promise ring" he claimed he'd bought for me weeks ago.

He did this right after his high school crush, Jeannette, announced their engagement, and right before he accused me of humiliating him.

He insisted his feelings for Jeannette were a "youthful fantasy" and that I was his "anchor," his "stability." He said he loved me.

But I remembered the truth. I remembered the small, hand-carved wooden bird he'd once made.

A gift he'd had me send to Jeannette years ago, along with a love note he dictated himself.

And I knew his desperate confession wasn't love. It was damage control.

Chapter 1

The silence after I finally cut ties with Edward, after three years of feeling like I was living in a ghost story, was supposed to be freeing. Instead, it was deafening. Then Brody Frazier walked into my life, a whirlwind of charm and a transparent agenda, trying to use me to get under Edward's skin. And for the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't just seen; I was noticed.

Brody had been relentless in his pursuit. Not in a creepy way, but persistent. Like a golden retriever with a new favorite toy. He' d shown up at my office, sent flowers, left ridiculous, over-the-top voicemails. For weeks, I' d deflected. Ignored. Politely declined.

But he was good. Too good.

"Just one coffee," he'd pleaded yesterday, his voice a smooth rumble through the phone. "Thirty minutes. If you hate it, you never have to see me again. Promise."

He didn' t sound like he believed that promise, and neither did I.

I sighed, staring at my reflection in the office window. "Fine," I'd said, surprising myself.

His immediate, triumphant "Yes!" had made me smile despite myself.

Now, sitting across from him in a bustling cafe, I realized my mistake. He wasn' t just charming; he was captivating. His eyes, the color of warm honey, held a mischievous glint as he leaned forward.

"I' m going to make you forget Edward Atkins ever existed," he declared, his voice dropping to a theatrical whisper. He wasn't being subtle about his intentions for Edward, but for me, it felt… intense.

A nervous flutter stirred in my stomach. I knew his game. Everyone knew Brody wanted to outshine Edward in everything, and now that extended to me. But his conviction, the sheer force of his presence, was disarming.

My coffee arrived, steaming hot. I wrapped my hands around the mug, more for comfort than warmth.

"Cold?" he asked, already shrugging out of his designer jacket. "You look a little pale."

"No, I'm fine," I said quickly, maybe too quickly. "It's just… a little chilly in here."

He