Chapter 1

On the day of Isabelle Jensen's coming-of-age ceremony, the Jensen family went bankrupt and was acquired. Both her parents took their own lives.

Her childhood sweetheart called off the engagement. When she threw herself into the sea in despair, I was the one who saved her.

I gave up my chance to study abroad and stayed by her side as she fought her way through the business world.

We spent eight years together. We built a publicly traded company from nothing.

But at our child's birthday celebration, her childhood sweetheart burst into the banquet hall, a vicious smile twisting his face.

"You swore to me back then that your first child would be mine."

"As the child's father, I should be allowed at my own son's celebration, don't you think?"

His words hit me like a thunderbolt. I turned to Isabelle, waiting for an explanation.

She just looked back at me, expressionless. No denial. Nothing.

In that moment, the heart that had loved her for twenty years died completely.

"Do you really have nothing to explain to me?"

My voice trembled as I asked Isabelle.

Zachary Mitchell's arrogant voice still hung in the air. Every guest at the banquet looked at me with eyes full of mockery, trampling whatever was left of my pride.

Isabelle's expression was calm. She tilted her head, almost confused.

"Explain? Didn't you promise me that you'd love any child of mine?"

She looked at my pale face and spoke flatly.

"I already told you. You're the father. Having a child for him was just keeping a promise I made a long time ago."

She took my hand. Fake reassurance.

"I'll make him leave right now."

"It's a happy day. Don't make that face. Everyone's watching."

Her voice was gentle, but to my ears it sounded as cold as a viper's hiss.

I stared at her, furious. My heart felt hollow.

So she knew exactly how many people were here today?

And still she let them trample my dignity. In public. In front of everyone.

The security guards rushed over and tried to pull Zachary away. He shook them off and walked up to me, a malicious smile on his face.

"I'm not here to fight you for the child. I've got nothing now anyway. The kid will get the best education staying with you."

"And then inherit all your assets."

"Today I'm just here to give you a birthday present."

He pulled a bright green hat from a black bag and placed it on my head, laughing wildly.

"I picked it out myself. It suits you perfectly."

He leaned close to me with the arrogant posture of a victor, speaking mockingly.

"Take good care of my child for me, you pathetic cuckold!"

Humiliation and rage flooded my chest. I couldn't hold back anymore. I grabbed a plate from the table and smashed it hard into his disgusting face.

Zachary's head was covered in blood from my strike, but his eyes flashed with triumph.

The next second, Isabelle's indifferent expression turned anxious as she rushed to Zachary's side, carefully supporting him while shoving me away with her other hand.

I hadn't guarded against her. I stumbled and fell to the ground. My palms were pierced by glass shards, blood flowing freely.

I gasped in pain, but Isabelle didn't notice at all. All her attention was on Zachary.

I stared at her fixedly. In the eight years we'd been together, she had never shown me such concerned, anxious expressions.

Now she was worried about her enemy. Bitterness spread from my heart through my entire body.

Eight years ago, I saved Isabelle from drowning herself in the sea. She cried uncontrollably in my arms, begging me to help her make the Mitchell family pay.

I gave up my own dreams, tore up that acceptance letter from a foreign university, and fought alongside her in the business world, slowly rebuilding the Jensen Corporation.

I still remember that to secure a contract worth hundreds of millions, I drank with the client for three days straight before finalizing the deal. That same day I was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

When I woke up, what I received wasn't Isabelle's concern, but her cold complaint:

Why couldn't I have held on one more day before going to the hospital? The client almost canceled the cooperation when they saw me collapse.

Back then, I told myself she was too focused on revenge to notice the people around her.

Now, watching her worry over Zachary, I finally understood.

She never cared about me. Not once.

But that's fine. I know how to love. And I know how to let go.

Isabelle Jensen, since you've betrayed me, I don't want you anymore.