Chapter 89

The story of how Joshua had chased Marguerite for three years at Pinecrest High was common knowledge among his friends. For years afterward, they would tease him, calling her his one true love, the one who got away.

Joshua believed it himself. Who wouldn't be haunted by the memory of a girl he'd pursued for three years, only to have her die on the way to their first date?

The smell of the slums was acrid and overwhelming, even at the entrance. But in that moment, all Joshua could smell was the fresh, light fragrance that drifted from Marguerite on the breeze. There she was, alive and real, standing in the sunlight. Her skin was like porcelain, her smile radiant, her long hair tied back in a simple ponytail, just as breathtakingly beautiful as he remembered.

Her voice, lively and sweet, reached his ears, but when he processed what she'd actually said, his smile faltered. Ignoring her odd question, he opened his arms to embrace her.

But Marguerite reacted instantly, ducking under his arm and slipping away.

Joshua was left hugging empty air. He turned, his voice tinged with hurt. “Marguerite, why are you avoiding me?" After all this time, wasn't a hug the natural thing to do?

Nancy, who had been following Marguerite, recognized Joshua immediately. Most people would be thrilled to see a major celebrity, and for a second, she was too. But when he moved to hug Marguerite, her goodwill vanished.

"What do you mean, 'why'? Why are you getting handsy the second you see her?” Nancy stepped in front of Marguerite, blocking his path.

Joshua's expression hardened. "Mind your own business. She's my girlfriend."

Nancy frowned and glanced back at Marguerite. "Is that true?" Just last night, she'd seen a gossip account on Tik Tok claiming Joshua and Hannah were back together.

Joshua had been confident that Marguerite still loved him, but her dodging his hug had planted a seed of doubt. His eyes, which fans often described as so soulful they could make a dog fall in love, were fixed on is heart hammering in

Fars

She wouldn't deny it

would she? After all, they had never officially broken up.

But Marguerite didn't even bother to look at him. She smiled at Nancy. "Of course not."

Nancy nodded. "I didn't think so. You'd never have a boyfriend that old." She'd thought Marguerite looked young on her own, not at all like the "President's Marguerite everyone at the company called her out of respect. But standing next to Joshua now, the age gap seemed immense.

Joshua was stung. "What do you mean, old? I'm only twenty-nine!"

"Twenty-nine is practically thirty, and before you know it, you'll be fifty. How is that

not old?" Nancy shot back.

Joshua's jaw twitched. "You're a real math whiz, you know that?"

Nancy's quip made Marguerite laugh, her eyes crinkling into beautiful crescents. The sight made Joshua's heart leap. It was at a high schooDassembly, when she was on stage as the student representative, that he had fallen for her at first sight. She had stood at the podium, brilliant and dazzling, like the

brightest star in the sky.

Nothing in the world could compare to the joy of having his lost love return,

especially when she was still eighteen.

He moved closer again, reaching for her hand. “I know you're angry, but I can explain everything. Just listen to me!"