1 Chapter 1

Summer was approaching, much to everyone's delight. It meant the beginning of vacations, days at the beach, long nights and passionate romances for a few weeks.

This last point did not apply to Sophie. In fact, the latter Sophie was in the most wonderful love affair with her boyfriend Henry. They had been the perfect couple in everyone's eyes for 3 years. They had met in high school and had never been apart since.

They both went to the same university: The University of Duluth in Minnesota. About 20 miles away from their hometown: Silver Bay. They had seen fit to stay close to each other and their respective families.

Truth be told, Sophie would have gone to New York to study, but she would do anything for Henry. So she stayed and studied with him. As for Henry, he was the heir to a very wealthy family: The Jenkins. His father, Anthony Jenkins, was a wealthy businessman and had trained his son all his life to take over the family business one day. Henry naturally turned to the study of finance.

Sophie, on the other hand, studied chemistry. She dreamed of becoming a great researcher and advancing science. In high school, she always got straight A's, which tended to annoy Claire, her best friend.

Well, her "ex" best friend. In fact, Sophie and Claire had known each other since they were kids. Claire had known each other since they were children. Their families were good friends and they got along well. But when they got back to high school, everything had changed.

Claire had joined the cheerleading squad and her only concern was boys and losing her virginity. and her only concern was boys and losing her virginity. Sophie wasn't like that at all, she was waiting for the right guy. On this point alone, the two childhood friends disagreed. Sophie was hardworking and romantic. Claire did not work and put everything on her looks. The young cheerleader preferred to spend time with the girls on her squad and the boys on the soccer team. But what put an end to their long friendship was the arrival of the handsome and wealthy Henry Jenkins as a sophomore.

Henry Jenkins in the second grade. Sophie had fallen in love with him the first time she saw him. He was tall and blond, green-eyed with a breathtaking confidence. He knew what he was worth. All the girls were crazy about him. Claire had tried everything Claire had tried everything to get him, but in vain. It was on the young and studious Sophie that her eyes had fallen on the young and studious Sophie. Claire had taken this as the worst possible insult and had buried their friendship in a flood. and buried their friendship in a stream of insults in the middle of the school corridors:

- How could you do this to me? You know I wanted to.

Claire was like a fury ready to explode. She the Queen, the most popular girl in the most popular girl in school was being pushed to the back burner. It was simply unacceptable.

- I didn't do anything to you. I like Henry and it's mutual. We're in this together and you'd better get used to it.

v had been firm and clear. Although her heart was broken, she wouldn't let Claire hurt her. would not let Claire hurt her in public.

- How would a god like him want someone like you? Seriously, look at you, you are banal at best. You have no style and you're not even entertaining. You spend your days with your nose in a book studying. Henry will get tired of you soon enough, believe me.

Sophie wasn't ordinary. She was even quite beautiful. She had blue She had blue eyes, a thin face and long wavy brown hair. She was also quite thin. But she didn't pay attention to her style of dress. She wanted to succeed in her studies, and boys didn't interest her. Until Henry of course.

Sophie and Henry were on the beach. He had asked her to meet him for a "chat" and Sophie had found that strange. But then again Henry can be unpredictable sometimes. No big deal, right? the girl thought.

- So what did you want to talk to me about?

She decided to break the awkward silence that had settled between them since they had arrived at the lake. She decided to break the awkward silence that had settled between the two of them since they had arrived at the lake. Sophie noticed that Henry looked really tense. What could be wrong with him? What could be wrong with him? Was it the pressure his father was putting on him again?

Was it the pressure his father was putting on him again? Was it the second year's choice of options? Because of her...? Suddenly a feeling of panic overcame Sophie. Could it be about the two of them? Was Henry having second thoughts? Sophie had to know. So she spoke up again:

"Henry, please say something. You're the one who wanted to see me to talk about something important. to talk about something important"

The young brunette tried an approach by taking the hand of his friend. However, with its contact, it withdrew it sharply. Sophie had seen right...

- Listen Sophie, it's not easy, you know... Henry began with his eyes riveted on the lake.

on the lake. A dull anger overcame the girl. This coward could not even look her in the face to tell her that he wanted to put an end to their relationship. She crossed her arms on her chest and declared curtly:

- You and me it is finished; it is a?

Henry finally turned to her, mouth open. She was more She was more perceptive than he thought. He wanted to open his mouth, to explain himself, but He wanted to open his mouth to explain, but Sophie cut him off: "Why? Why after all this time? What changed? I don't want a lame explanation. Just tell me why." She was trying to keep as much composure as possible, but she couldn't stop her voice from shaking. but she couldn't stop her voice from shaking... Tears formed in the corners of her eyes.

- Look, I... I don't love you anymore. That's it.

A heavy silence suddenly fell between them. Henry would have been satisfied with this explanation, but Sophie 's desperate look forced him to stop explanation, but Sophie 's desperate look forced him to continue.

"I met someone else. She makes me laugh. She knows what I want in a woman and she's really beautiful. Sophie 's brain had stopped working at the first words. So he had cheated on her and was telling her quietly, without pressure. He did not even look sorry but almost relieved...

- You know; it makes me feel good to tell you. I couldn't stand lying anymore."

But seriously? What a bastard…

- What do you mean you met someone else? How long has it been?

- For almost 5 months.

He didn't even look sorry...

- But why?

Sophie couldn't hold back her tears any longer and her voice broke. She felt betrayed and humiliated.

- You and I weren't getting along anymore. To be honest, it never did. I thought that over the years you would have loosened up and realized that I was waiting for a hot girlfriend, not a bookworm.

His words were harsh, and Sophie felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart.

- You don't make an effort on your looks, and sexually let's not talk about it... You never want to do anything. Do you realize what you put me through?

The girl thought she was dreaming. He had cheated on her, he had hurt her and he dared to he dared to place himself as a victim... Sickening. The Henry she had fallen in love with she had fallen in love with didn't exist... Maybe she had been blinded all along. Maybe she'd been blinded all along.

Suddenly, Sophie knew she had to cut this charade short. Not Not let it happen to her anymore. Henry didn't want her, well, fine, let him go away. She didn't need him. No. She could succeed without him. Yes. She had to believe it with all her might.

- Henry you're just some poor guy I wasted my time with. If you don't appreciate me for who I am, then so be it. Goodbye.

With that, Sophie got up and walked to her car. She had to leave as soon as possible. She had to leave as soon as possible so that he wouldn't see her break down. He had to have, as his last image of her, a strong woman that he could not manipulate. manipulate.

In the distance, she heard him trying to hold her back, but she did not pay attention. but she didn't pay attention. She would never let him do it again. The new Sophie had just been born.