Chapter 1

I stayed by my girlfriend’s side as she went from having nothing to owning a multi-million dollar company.

But on the day her company went public, she announced her engagement to someone else.

"Alex, he's different from you. He's from a truly established family, and we're a perfect social match."

"I have to think about my own future. I can't keep messing around with you anymore."

I didn't argue.

This 'messing around' had to end.

After all, I still had family waiting. People who had called me 'Young Master' since I was a child.

I snatched the cigarette from Chloe's hand and took a deep drag.

It was a gesture we’d shared countless times over ten years.

Chaos stretched from the kitchen all the way to beneath the bed. I always used to call Chloe my ultimate temptress. She looked so quiet and reserved, but once things got going, she was an absolute firecracker.

Slowly exhaling a smoke ring, I offered Chloe the remaining half of the cigarette, but she refused it.

"Alex, I've had enough of playing around. Tomorrow, I'm getting engaged."

I flipped over, straddling Chloe, a smile I couldn't suppress playing on my lips.

"Ten years, and you're finally going to marry me?"

"Let's do it now. No need for anything formal. I'll definitely say yes..."

"Not you. He's different from you."

Our voices clashed, speaking at the same time.

The air fell terrifyingly silent.

Chloe lifted her phone, holding it up to me. On the screen was a guy, smiling openly and recklessly. His clothes had no visible labels, but you could tell at a glance they cost a fortune.

"He's the young heir of a family our company partners with. Isn't he handsome? He's not like you; he couldn't just give everything up and fool around with me."

"His family background is excellent, and he's so innocent. He's been fighting with his family for me for a long time. I owe him an explanation."

Chloe took her phone back, carefully wiping the screen.

She cherished this guy, so much that I could barely stand to look at him twice.

A sharp pain instantly pierced my chest.

That boy was indeed different from me. I was calm, brooding, always three steps ahead, every glance calculated. I helped her build her company from nothing to a billion-dollar empire.

He, on the other hand, was bright and spontaneous, seemingly never thinking about what he'd do next.

But I'd been with Chloe for ten whole years.

From the moment she had nothing, I was there for the late-night drinks, the business deals, the reckless risks, the hardships, the scheming. More than just a partner, more than just an assistant – I was her everything, doing every dirty job and then some.

I always thought she'd marry me, but now she was telling me it was all just "fooling around."

My fingers, pressed against her chest, slowly tightened.

The composure honed over so many years finally crumbled before her.

"Chloe, what about me then?"

She didn't speak, just grabbed my neck.

I didn't speak either, just grabbed hers.

I squeezed harder, and her face went from pale to flushed. Her cool, clear eyes narrowed slightly, showing a rare hint of desire.

In all these years, this was the first time I'd refused her.

She didn't care at all, smiling nonchalantly, a playful, almost mocking glint in her eyes: "Alex, you're not actually in love with me, are you?"

"You know I hate trouble."

"I'll compensate you. Don't make a scene."

"Be a good boy. This is your last chance to call me Chloe. If you don't, starting tomorrow, you'll only be able to call me Ms. Chloe."

She was so sure I couldn't go through with it. She touched my earlobe.

Seeing I remained silent, she ruffled my hair, put on her dress, adjusted her scarf, and transformed back into the composed, professional woman.

It was as if the only things left in the chaotic room were the mess, and me.

"Pack your things. Leave the key in the flowerpot by the door. You won't need to come back anymore, Assistant Alex."

Her voice was cool and detached, and she left just as swiftly.

The sound of the door closing was heavier than usual.

I turned on my phone. The screen displayed a photo of Chloe and me.

We were both in suits, smiling perfectly, gold-rimmed glasses perched on our noses, looking like the 'Employee of the Month' pictures hung in a company hallway.

Chloe was right; we really were alike.

The last time I wore a suit was ten years ago. In those ten years, I felt like I truly had become Chloe's shadow.

Looking around, I suddenly grew tired of the suffocating darkness. *WHOOSH!* I yanked open the curtains.

The evening sun poured in.

I raised my hand. My skin, so pale it was almost transparent, looked like a vampire's in the sunlight.

Leaning against the window, I lit another cigarette. Through the drifting smoke, I seemed to see the me from ten years ago.

Back then, I wore white t-shirts, my youthful energy more dazzling than the sun itself, looking like a good-for-nothing punk.

And Chloe was a critically ill patient clinging to life.

We ate together, worked part-time jobs together.

In a hospital room reeking of disinfectant, we had the most absurd romance.

She always said I was too loud, yet before her last surgery, she pressed her last ten dollars into my hand.

That composed, self-possessed woman, held me, crying in the most desperate way.

"Alex, if I make it off this operating table, I'll confess my love to you. I'll love only you, for my entire life."

That day, she went into the operating room without waiting for my answer.

I stood outside, crying and laughing, never imagining that someone as strong and unyielding as her could also be afraid.

Later, she came out of surgery. With the first money she earned, she bought a watch and confessed her love to me.

I laughed at her then: "Girls don't propose! That's supposed to be my job..."

We held our gifts, our stomachs rumbling with hunger.

During that time, our love was like a stubborn seed, taking root and sprouting in hunger, carrying the scent of earth.

She told me countless times, with firm conviction: "Alex, once I make it big, the first thing I'll do is marry you, and then we'll have two adorable babies."

Now, her company was about to go public.

She'd made it big, but she was going to wear someone else's wedding dress.