I Was Never Yours Novel by Willow Everhart _ Novel





I Was Never Yours Chapter 01

Adriel Olson and I had been nothing but friends for twenty-six years.
I knew how to set boundaries with guy friends, and since he was a player who always needed attention, I kept my distance whenever he was seeing someone.
On my 27th birthday, he showed up at my door early in the morning.
His family had been on his back to settle down, and he was obviously fed up with it.
"Evangeline, maybe we should just give it a shot together."
I was about to snap at him when he added, "I’m serious."
For the first time, he stepped over that line, holding his hand out to me.
I looked at him for a few seconds. "Adriel, if we date and break up, we won't be friends anymore."
He gave me a lazy, cocky grin. "We’re not gonna break up. I’m way too attached to you."
So I took his hand.
That trial run of a relationship lasted three years.
Adriel stepped out onto the balcony with his friends for a smoke.
Devin Gareth spoke up, confused. "Addy, back then, you were afraid your dad would target Evelyn, so you used Eva to throw him off. But the way she’s acting now... she’s clearly in deep.
"You never told her this whole thing was just an act?"
***
The smoke blurred Adriel’s face.
His voice was calm and icy. "I was in a hurry that day. It slipped my mind."
I stopped at the corner, clutching the cold medicine for him.
Devin stared at him, horrified. "You bastard!"
He leaned in closer. "So what’s really going on between you and Eva? Are you actually marrying her, or is this still just a act?
"I saw Evie’s post. Last night—the night before your engagement—you were at her place in nothing but a robe, making her a late-night snack."
Adriel let out a bitter laugh. "Evie’s the one I actually love.
"Marrying Evangeline’s just a business arrangement, nothing more.
"I’ve known for ages she’s head over heels for me. I’ll make sure she lives a good life as my wife. That should be more than enough for her."
My fingers tightened around the glass in my hand.
I glanced down uneasily, only to realize the cold medicine I’d grabbed for Adriel was starting to dissolve in my sweaty palm.
My face burned with humiliation—my secret crush laid bare and mocked.
"Let’s be real, Evangeline’s kind of naive," Adriel went on. "I’ve been with countless girls, but she actually bought it when I pretended to be nervous—avoiding her eyes, breathing fast when I held her hand.
"She acts all tough like she doesn’t care about me, but she puts up with everything and lets me get away with anything."
He coughed softly, then said, a hint of smugness in his voice. "Two days before the engagement, I told her I had a business trip. She didn’t suspect a thing—even helped me pack.
"Last night, Evie and I got a little carried away by the window. I came home late with a splitting headache. TMy headache meds at home were expired, so Evangeline ran out in the middle of the night in her pajamas and a coat to get me some. Then she made me chamomile tea and stayed with me until I took them.
"She checked my forehead every half hour, scared I had a fever.
"She probably doesn’t even realize how head over heels she is for me."
Devin cringed. "Addy, she’s been so good to you all these years. I can’t believe you feel nothing for her."
I stood just outside the door, feeling like a total fool.
My eyes stung, but I didn’t walk away. I had to hear his answer.
Adriel didn’t hesitate for a second. His voice dripped with disdain. "What kind of stupid question is that? Of course I don’t love her.
"I’ve known Evangeline for almost 30 years. If I’d wanted her, I would’ve made a move ages ago. Why wait until I was 27?
"I like girls who are sweet but a little wild. She’s cold and guarded—totally not my type.
"Love’s at first sight. I don’t believe in growing to love someone. I wouldn’t like her even if we knew each other another 30 years."
He took another drag, sounding utterly confident.
"But Evangeline’s my oldest friend. She’ll be family soon. Even if I don’t love her, I’ll treat her well."
"I want both her and Evie."
My chest ached, but I almost laughed out loud.
Did he really think I was some toy he could pick up and drop whenever he felt like it?
How low had I let myself sink for him that he saw this marriage as some favor he was doing me?
Devin sighed and clapped Adriel on the shoulder. "C’mon, Addy. The party’s starting.
"TTonight, Evie’s pretending to be my cousin, right?"
I turned and hurried downstairs first, then bolted into the bathroom, gagging uncontrollably.
Tears streamed down my face faster than I could wipe them, ruining my carefully done makeup.
All these years of love felt like a filthy swamp, swallowing me whole.
I felt nauseous, like I couldn’t breathe.
My phone kept blowing up with messages from the group chat.
"It’s the engagement party! Where are the lovebirds?"
"Addy and I are almost there. Oh, and my cousin’s joining us tonight."
"Since when do you have a cousin? Where’s Eva? She’s gone quiet."
I found an empty room, splashed cold water on my face, and touched up my makeup.
All these years, every time Adriel dated someone, I distanced myself first.
This time, I wanted to meet the girl he actually loved.
As for him and me...
I dabbed the tear from the corner of my eye with a cotton swab so I wouldn’t ruin my makeup.
Adriel probably thought I was joking when I said we wouldn’t stay friends if we broke up.
But I’ve never been short on friends.
I was done wasting my life on someone who didn’t even love me.

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