Chapter 1: The End of the Chase Part 1 - Hopeless Romantic

Chapter 1: The End of the Chase

Part 1 - Hopeless Romantic

(Serena's world revolves around Damian, until she overhears the conversation that changes everything.)

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Serena Lancaster had always been a dreamer.

Not the kind that fantasized about fairy-tale endings—she was far too practical for that. No, her dreams had always been strategic. Calculated. She had spent her whole life preparing to take over her father’s empire, learning the ins and outs of business, mastering every skill needed to be the perfect heir. But the one thing she had never been able to master? Damian Westwood.

For two years, she had chased him. Not obsessively, not in a way that embarrassed her, but enough that it was obvious. She attended every party he did. Laughed at his sarcastic remarks. Found ways to be near him without making it too obvious.

And he had never outright rejected her. That was the worst part.

He never told her to stop. Never told her he wasn’t interested. Instead, he let her linger. Let her believe there was a chance. And maybe, deep down, that was why she had never given up—because he had never given her a definitive no.

Until tonight.

She hadn’t meant to overhear. It wasn’t like she made a habit of eavesdropping. But when she had stepped onto the balcony of the private club where their friends were celebrating the start of the new semester, she had heard his voice.

And then she had heard her name.

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Damian’s Words That Shattered Her

"Serena? She'll never give up," Damian’s voice was smooth, careless, amused. Like she was a joke.

Jace Sinclair laughed. “Honestly, man, I think she actually believes you’ll fall for her someday.”

Serena’s chest tightened.

Damian chuckled, the sound casual, cruel. "It’s kind of sad, isn’t it? She tries so hard."

Jace whistled. "You could tell her to back off, you know."

"Nah," Damian said lazily. "She’ll get bored eventually."

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She’ll get bored eventually.

Serena stood frozen in place, her nails digging into her palm.

All this time, she had thought—hoped—that maybe Damian simply didn’t realize how serious she was. That if she just showed him enough, proved that she wasn’t like the other girls who only wanted his last name or his money, he would finally see her.

But he had seen her.

And he had never taken her seriously at all.

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A bitter laugh nearly slipped from her lips. She had been a fool. A blind, naive fool who thought love could be earned. That if she just kept showing up, if she just kept proving her worth, he would look at her the way she had always looked at him.

But he wouldn’t. He never would.

Because she was just entertainment to him—a girl who chased and chased, while he stood still and laughed.

Something in her snapped.

The soft, hopeful Serena that had waited for him for two years? She was gone.

If Damian thought she would never give up, he was about to find out just how wrong he was.

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Serena turned away from the balcony, back straight, chin high.

She wasn’t going to cry.

She wasn’t going to scream.

She was going to walk back inside that party, smile like nothing was wrong, and then erase Damian Westwood from her life.

For good.

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