Chapter 1

I’d faced death countless times alongside Julian Blackwood for seven years.

Everyone knew I was his absolute favorite.

He’d even told me more than once that he’d marry me.

But when I returned home, my heart brimming with joy after completing the mission he'd assigned, I walked right into his engagement ceremony with his idealized first love.

Seraphina Thorne leaned shyly into his arms, asking,

“Maya Shaw saved your life, didn’t she? You even said you’d marry her. Are you really sure you won’t regret this?”

Julian just chuckled, utterly dismissive.

“If saving my life meant I had to marry her, I’d have a long list of wives by now. Besides, a mercenary living paycheck to paycheck like her? Marry *me*? That’s a joke!”

His contemptuous tone hit me like a wave of icy despair.

But after I left,

Why did that man, who swore he wouldn't regret it, desperately search for me, claiming he did?

It was drizzling the day I returned home after completing Julian’s mission.

The sky was hazy and indistinct, making everything seem unclear.

As usual, I instinctively headed to his villa.

This time, I’d even brought him a birthday gift from overseas.

But the moment I reached the villa, I froze.

The usually quiet villa was buzzing with activity, many people coming and going.

At first, I thought they were all guests for his birthday party.

But as I listened to snippets of conversations from the passing crowd, I finally realized it was Julian Blackwood’s engagement ceremony today.

Through the villa's glass window,

I immediately spotted him in the crowd, and the woman by his side.

She had long, dark hair and was wearing a stunning, elegant deep-red gown.

Both held champagne flutes, celebrating with the well-wishers.

“Congratulations, Mr. Blackwood! After all these years, you’ve finally got your wish and are with Ms. Thorne!”

Receiving the blessings, they exchanged a sweet, knowing smile.

It hit me then – this woman was Seraphina Thorne, the idealized first love Julian had always pined for.

They were engaged?

What did that make me?

A side piece? A fling? Or maybe just utterly disposable?

A sudden urge to storm in and confront Julian flared within me.

How could he get engaged to another woman when he’d promised to marry me?

But just then, Seraphina leaned shyly into his arms and asked,

“Maya Shaw saved your life, didn’t she? You even said you’d marry her. Are you really sure you won’t regret getting engaged to me now?”

Julian just chuckled, utterly dismissive.

“If saving my life meant I had to marry her, I’d have a long list of wives by now. Besides, a mere mercenary like her, wanting to marry *me*? Do you think that’s even possible?”

“Even if *I* wanted to, my family would never allow someone of her standing into our elite circle!”

My foot, mid-step, instantly froze.

So, that’s how Julian truly saw me all along—worthless.

He’d been lying to me this whole time; he never intended to marry me!

It felt like I finally saw him for who he was.

He'd tricked me into going overseas with a mission, all so he could have an undisturbed, peaceful engagement.

And here I was, foolishly rushing back, risking injury and death, completing the mission early.

All because I didn’t want to miss Julian’s birthday.

“Maya, you’re back today? Well, perfect timing! You can join the young master’s birthday party and engagement ceremony!”

I’d been standing outside the villa for a long time before Mr. Davies, the butler, recognized me.

I used to frequent the villa, so Mr. Davies knew me well. He immediately pulled me inside.

Julian, who’d been smiling, scowled the moment he saw me.

He looked as if he feared I was there to cause trouble.

I knew my timing was terribly off.

But my feet wouldn’t move; they were rooted to the spot.

Finally, Seraphina led Julian over to me.

She looked at me with an air of superiority and said,

“Ms. Shaw, the mission is complete, right? Please hand over the item.”

I instinctively looked at Julian.

He, however, impatiently urged,

“What are you looking at me for? Just do as you’re told!”

My nose stung, and I bit down hard, forcing myself to retrieve the box Julian had instructed me to bring back from overseas.

Inside was a necklace.

Seraphina eagerly had Julian put it on her.

I was completely rigid.

Before I left, Julian had repeatedly stressed how important this box was, telling me I had to protect it and bring it back, even if it cost me my life.

Only now did I realize.

The box I’d nearly died for, shedding blood and sweat to retrieve, was nothing more than a gift for Seraphina!