Chapter 5

Serena looked confused.

"Huh? Why are you suddenly talking about playing games?"

"Didn't you say you wanted to go home and meet my parents tonight?"

Julian wrapped an arm around her, reassuringly:

"I was just worried meeting your parents might be too much pressure for you."

"Besides, you're not bad at games, are you? You're the champ—"

Julian's words were cut short.

His quick-witted friend immediately interrupted.

"Understood, Serena has other plans tonight. Games can be played anytime."

"But a girlfriend like this, Julian, you need to hold on tight!"

His friend's words made Serena blush, and she snuggled closer into Julian's embrace.

Julian didn't insist further, laughing:

"Alright, next time for sure."

"You all just wait for my wedding with Serena!"

That very night, Julian went home and finalized his engagement with Serena.

During this period, he spoiled Serena endlessly. Three consecutive days of fireworks lit up the city to celebrate their engagement. The wedding dress was air-shipped, the invitations were handwritten, and even the diamond ring was a priceless rarity auctioned at a sky-high price.

Such familiar actions.

Even seeing the news, a faint, familiar ache spread through my heart.

He had been the same way when he married me in his previous life.

Julian Blackwood.

When he loved, he'd give you his life.

When he didn't, he couldn't even stand to look at you.

"Drink less? Why do you care? What man doesn't drink during social events?"

"Why are you throwing a fit? What more do you want? Do you know how rare it is in our circles to find a man like me who doesn't mess around?"

"What's wrong with flirting with other women? I'm not sleeping with them. Otherwise, if I talked to you about household chores, would you even find that interesting?"

...

My thoughts were interrupted by the ringing phone. It was the team manager:

"K, are you really retiring?"

"Your talent, it would be such a waste not to continue playing."

I shook my head, my resolve firm:

"No, I'm done. I have more important things to do."

"Prepare to notify the media and fans."

"I've worn K's mask long enough. I want to take it off. I want to tell everyone, openly and proudly, that my name is Maya Sterling."

Players begin with a match.

Since I was retiring, I decided to end with a match as well, so I arranged a game with Alex's team.

Once the team released the news, the buzz was enormous.

#EsportsPlayerKRetires,ReturnsToLife#

#ThisExhibitionMatchIsK'sLastDance#

#KDecidesToShowHerFaceKRealIdentityKRealName#

Seven or eight trending topics dominated for two or three days.

Backstage, without my mask, I felt a rare mix of nervousness and anticipation.

The host had already begun the announcements.

Julian had already taken his seat in the VIP section with Serena and many of his friends from the elite circle, all there to cheer for K's last match.

He gently squeezed Serena's hand and asked:

"Aren't you going backstage to get ready? The match is about to start."

Serena's eyes widened, and she asked back:

"Ready for what?"

"Julian, aren't you just taking me to watch the match?"

"Only Maya Sterling is backstage, and I don't want to go. If you hadn't insisted, I wouldn't even have come to watch."

Julian indulgently stroked Serena's head and said:

"Why are you bringing Maya Sterling into this again? I'm just concerned for you. Go backstage early to get into the zone."

"Your last match before retiring, you definitely want to win beautifully!"

Hearing this, Serena's body stiffened instantly.

She looked at Julian in disbelief:

"Retire?"

"Julian, what are you talking about? Are you misunderstanding something?"

But Julian only thought Serena was nervous.

He decided to spill the beans while comforting her:

"Stop pretending, Serena. I know you're K!"

"From three years ago, the first time I saw you play, I fell for you. That day, after you won the championship, we met eyes backstage, and my heart nearly burst. In that moment, I knew. I would never love another woman in this life."

"You don't have to retire, you know. Even if we get married, I'll still support you in pursuing your dreams. After all, the person I love is the shining K on that stage!"

Julian was completely lost in his own emotions, pouring out his deep affection for Serena. He didn't notice Serena's increasingly pale face beside him.

"Julian, so you love K."

"Not me?"

Seeing Serena's reddened eyes, Julian looked confused:

"What kind of question is that?"

"Aren't you K?"

Serena screamed, close to tears:

"I'm not K!"

Julian was dumbfounded.

He asked back in disbelief:

"Serena, what nonsense are you talking about?"

"If you're not K, then who else could it be…"

Julian's unfinished words were drowned out by the thunderous screams of the fans in the arena. Only the host's voice cut through the noise:

"And finally, let's welcome—K!"

The flashlights and cameras focused directly on my face.

This time, there was no mask to hide behind.

I took the microphone, confidently introducing myself:

"Hello everyone, I'm K."

"My real name is Maya Sterling!"

Julian turned his head to look at me, shining brightly on stage.

His mind went exploding into a million pieces.

He was utterly stunned.