Chapter 2

The champagne tower at the company's IPO celebration reflected the crystal chandeliers.

I stood beside Julian, watching him effortlessly charm various investors.

The sapphire cufflinks on his suit - my birthday gift to him last year - sparkled with a cold light as he raised his glass.

"Mrs. Julian, you truly are blessed," a board member's wife leaned in. "I hear you two were college sweethearts? From campus to a publicly traded company, that's rare among young people these days."

I forced a smile, my gaze unconsciously following Julian.

He was leaning in to listen to a female investor, a familiar curve playing on his lips.

The woman wore berry-colored lipstick, her fingers subtly brushing Julian's arm as she spoke.

My phone vibrated in my palm-a reminder about my medical report from the hospital.

I swiped the screen open, my eyes suddenly fixated on a particular number.

CA125 levels, abnormally high.

A gynecological tumor marker.

"What are you looking at?" Julian appeared beside me, his breath carrying the scent of wine.

I instinctively locked the screen. "Nothing, just a routine check-up from the hospital."

As I reached to straighten his slightly crooked tie, my fingertips brushed his neck. There, a trace of rose-red that didn't belong under the ballroom lights caught my eye.

Julian flinched back a step.

"What's wrong?" I asked, my hand frozen in mid-air.

"Just a little warm." He loosened his tie, his gaze sweeping over my shoulder. "Mr. Thompson is looking for me. Why don't you head home first?"

That rose-red smudge was clearly half a lipstick print.