Chapter 3

"Come on, stop dwelling on silly dreams. Today is our fourth anniversary! Look what I got you! I took on extra freelance gigs for three whole months just to afford this. Do you like it?"

I looked closely at the belt.

Engraved on the buckle was a neat little letter: "H".

For Hunter.

I stared at Chloe, feeling completely drained of emotion.

The boy rejected this gift, didn't he?

So she turned around and dumped it on me as our four-year anniversary present.

God, I was pathetic.

Seeing me freeze again, Chloe stammered,

"Logan, don't you know me by now? You're the only one I love. How could I ever be with someone else?"

"Or... do you not like the gift?"

Listening to her smooth excuses, my chest felt like it was being ripped open by a rusty blade.

Every breath she took declared her devotion to me. Yet every dime she owned went straight to another man.

What a sick joke.

Watching her try so hard to cover her tracks, I simply shook my head.

"No, I don't hate it. It's just too expensive. We should save the money. Didn't we promise to pay off the debt together and buy our own place?"

A relieved, radiant smile instantly broke across her face.

She thought I was just worried about the price tag.

"It's fine! I can't let my man look bad out there."

"Besides, after four years of hard work, the loan is practically paid off. We deserve a little taste of the good life!"

Right. Four years of non-stop agony, all so we could live the dream she painted for me.

How ridiculous.

Chloe glanced at the clock on the wall and smiled softly. "I'm going to take a quick shower. Wait for me in bed, okay?"

While she was in the bathroom, her phone buzzed against the nightstand.

I picked it up. A new message flashed on the screen from Hunter Ross:

"Chloe, thank you so much for giving me that villa before you left tonight. Love you the most, Chloe."

Attached was a photo. The lighting was dim, but it couldn't hide the boy's smug, innocent grin.

Beside me lay the expensive belt he had cast aside.

I let out a quiet, self-mocking chuckle.

My lab director had told me dozens of times that I was a rising star in experimental science. Even top defense agencies had reached out to recruit me. I had a brilliant future ahead of me.

Yet, just to stay by Chloe's side and protect our tiny life, I turned down those classified government offers time and time again.

Steam poured out as Chloe stepped out of the bathroom.

The moment she noticed her phone sitting on the bed, her face tightened. She snatched it up instantly.

"Logan... did you look at my phone?"

Realizing how defensive she sounded, she quickly tried to cover it up.

"There are confidential company files on here. My boss said if anyone outside sees them, I could get slapped with a massive fine."

I didn't call out her pathetic lie. I simply forced a tired smile and pulled the blanket over myself.

"I'm pretty exhausted, Chloe. I'm going to sleep."