Chapter 1

"Guess what? I got dumped again."

The reason was identical to my last breakup.

"Julian, you're just too boring to be with."

"Why can't you be more like Ethan Sullivan? At least he knows how to charm a girl."

I closed my eyes, feeling the metaphorical grass growing thicker on my head.

This was the eighth girlfriend Ethan had stolen from me.

I forced a calm nod and agreed.

The moment she turned away, I grabbed a knife and stormed to Ethan's apartment.

Stealing your best friend's girl? That deserved a thousand cuts in any story.

Standing at his door, I punched in the passcode like I owned the place.

Adrenaline surged through me—I was ready to stab him on sight.

The living room was empty, lights blazing. He had to be in the bedroom.

I marched straight there.

The door swung open—and there he was, completely naked.

Me, who never even watched adult films, was now staring at my childhood friend in all his glory.

The shock to my innocent soul was immeasurable!

Wait—this bastard was working out?!

First looks, then family background, then grades, and now physique?

How many more girlfriends did he plan to steal?

I exploded. "Ethan Sullivan, you absolute bastard!"

He casually tied his robe, not even glancing my way.

"What are you doing here?"

"Didn't you say you were cutting ties with me?"

I hated his condescending tone. I stepped forward to confront him, but the half-head height difference instantly deflated my rage.

Had he grown taller again?

"Ethan, what did I ever do to you? Eight girlfriends—isn't that crossing the line?"

He gave me a sidelong glance. My stomach dropped.

"You didn’t come after me for the first seven. Why now?"

"Did you really like her?" His eyes locked onto mine.

"O-of course! I genuinely liked every single one."

"Really? Your taste is terrible."

"Can’t you pick someone better?"

Was he even human?

Stealing them, then mocking my choices?

What was his game?

Were my girlfriends just that irresistible? Was I his personal target?

Ethan brushed past me toward the living room. I reacted fast, slamming him against the wall.

"I’m warning you—stay away from my girlfriends, or else—"

Ethan laughed arrogantly. "Or else what?"

He had a point. If I could do anything, he wouldn’t have taken eight girls from me.

Defeated, I let go, voice softening. "Just... do me this favor, okay?"

"I don’t want to die alone."

"We’re brothers—go steal someone else’s girlfriend instead."

Ethan’s expression darkened. "Begging me? Where’s that energy when you blocked me without a word?"

"Julian, after your family went bankrupt, instead of rebuilding, you’ve been chasing girls. Don’t you feel ashamed?"

I came for a heart-to-heart. He hit me with a lecture.

This battle was unwinnable.

I slunk back to my dorm.

Ever since my family’s downfall in high school, I’d embraced the slump with my dad. Rebuilding? Never crossed my mind.

But that didn’t justify him stealing my girlfriends!

Damn it—he’d derailed me again.