Seven Years a Fool One Day a Queen (Kristine and Colton) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Eliza Grant stood outside the private dining room, her palms already slick with sweat.

She glanced down at the ring box in her hand – the one she’d blown every last penny on.

Tonight was the celebration party for Calvin Young’s company Everest going public, and the night she’d finally worked up the courage to propose to him. Seven years she figured it was time.

–

Taking a deep breath, Eliza was about to push the door open when she heard familiar voices inside.

“Calvin, heard Medea Wynn’s back in town?” It was Calvin’s childhood friend Gideon Kallis.

Eliza’s hand froze on the door handle. Medea Wynn? The name rang a bell, but she couldn’t place it.

“Medea? Isn’t that Calvin’s first love?” another voice chimed in. “Gideon was just telling us about how back in college you…”

“Enough, drop it.” Calvin cut him off.

Eliza went rigid.

First love?

She’d been with Calvin since she was eighteen – seven whole years – and she’d always been the only woman in his life. Where the hell did this

“first love” come from?

She wanted to burst through that door, but some gut instinct held her back.

“What’s the big deal?” Gideon’s voice carried a teasing tone. “Back then you were so whipped for Medea, you even…”

“Gideon.” Calvin’s voice carried a warning edge.

The room went quiet for a few seconds. Eliza could hear her own heartbeat pounding.

“Okay, okay, ancient history.” Gideon backed down. “But seriously, Medea’s different now. You know her dad’s position at City Hall – if you could actually marry into that family, it’d be huge for Everest’s future.”

“I know.” Calvin’s response was flat.

Eliza felt dizzy. Calvin was meeting up with another woman?

No wonder he’d been so distracted lately, even putting a passcode on his phone. She’d thought he was planning some surprise for her – turned out he was planning to swap out his bride. But who the hell was this woman?

“What about Eliza?” someone asked, voice lowered.

Eliza held her breath.

“She’s stuck by you all these years, been there through the whole startup grind.” The speaker sounded hesitant. “If you’re seriously considering

Medea…”

“Just throw some money at her, problem solved,” Gideon said dismissively. “If you really can’t let her go, keep her as a side piece after you’re married.”

Eliza’s fingers clenched tight.

She desperately wanted to hear Calvin’s response.

She needed him to shut that down immediately, tell everyone: he loved Eliza, he was going to marry Eliza!

But after what felt like forever, all she heard was his casual, “We’ll deal with that later. Tonight’s about celebrating – let’s not get into all that.”

No pushback. No denial.

Eliza felt her legs go weak. She leaned against the wall, trying to stay calm.

Maybe she was overthinking this. Maybe it was just guy talk.

The conversation inside quickly shifted to other topics, someone suggesting games to liven things up.

“How about truth or dare?” Gideon suggested.

Eliza heard the clink of glasses – they were drinking.

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