Chapter 2

I looked at the non-disclosure agreement in my hand and signed my name without hesitation.

“Professor, I’m ready to join the rocket development program.”

Professor Davies looked at me with a hint of regret. “You know this mission is top-secret. Once you join, you’ll be off-grid for ten years. No one will be able to find you.”

“Aren’t you getting married? You should at least discuss it with your fiancé.”

Thinking of Jackson’s cold, unyielding face, I gave a bitter laugh and shook my head. “No need.”

Professor Davies was silent for a moment, then spoke. “Alright, go prepare yourself. You leave in seven days.”

It was raining when I left Professor Davies’s office. I walked home, soaked to the bone.

As expected, Jackson still wasn't back.

Chloe had taken my puppy, Lucky, the one I’d raised since childhood, and then he was run over. My arguments with Jackson got nowhere, and he even blamed me. He hadn't been home in three days since.

I took off the ring on my finger and tossed it into a drawer.

It was the “forever” ring Jackson had made for me himself, symbolizing our lifelong love, meant to be worn even in the grave.

I used to believe, so naively, that we’d grow old together.

But everything changed the moment Chloe returned to the country.

Jackson stopped remembering my birthday. He stopped caring about my joys or sorrows. I became practically invisible in our own home.

I was about to take off my soaking wet clothes when the front door chimed.

I opened it, and Chloe stood there, her eyes full of mockery. She kicked something on the ground with disdain.

“This stupid animal was disobedient and got hit by a car. It’s dead.”

My eyes widened in disbelief as I looked at what lay by Chloe’s feet. Lucky’s tiny body was there, matted with mud and blood.

My heart clenched, and tears immediately blurred my vision.

Seeing my reaction, Chloe’s mockery intensified. She shrugged dismissively. “It’s just a dog. Do you really have to cry like your mom died?”

I couldn’t hold back anymore. I lunged forward and shoved Chloe hard.

She shrieked, stumbling backward directly into Jackson’s arms. He’d rushed over, hearing the commotion. Instantly, tears streamed down her face. “Jackson, the dog ran out on its own and got hit. Why are you blaming me?”

Before I could say a word, her sobs grew even louder. “I’m so sorry, Vicky… I didn’t mean for this to happen…”

I stroked Lucky’s lifeless body, my chest aching so badly I could barely breathe. I couldn’t help but yell at her, “What good is ‘sorry’ now?!”

She immediately looked incredibly wronged. “Jackson, I was just trying to be kind, bringing the dog’s body here for her. How could she say such things to me…?”

Jackson’s expression grew even more annoyed as he looked at me. “It’s just an animal. It’s dead, so what? What’s the big deal?”

“My grandma gave you so much money! You could buy tons of new dogs with that!”

With Jackson defending her, Chloe cried even harder, soaking a large patch of his shirt.

Perhaps feeling it wasn't enough, he continued, “Victoria, when did you become so petty and unreasonable? What happened to you?”

An animal?

I looked at him, my heart aching to the point where I could barely breathe. He knew how important Lucky was to me. It was the only gift my mom left me before she died.

He used to sit by my mom’s bedside, promising repeatedly that he’d take care of both me and Lucky.

But now, for Chloe, he called my dog an “animal.”

It was clear Jackson’s heart had completely turned. I was tired, too tired to argue anymore.

Thinking of my decision to leave soon, a sense of calm washed over me.

Jackson patted Chloe’s back, glaring fiercely at me. “Are you happy now?!”

Then, he gently patted Chloe’s head, his voice filled with affection. “It’s raining outside. Want me to take you home?”

Chloe sniffled, tucked into his arm. From an angle he couldn't see, she smirked at me, a taunting curl of her lips.

Watching him hurry away with her, a bitter laugh escaped me.

Turns out, the Jackson who’d fallen for me at first sight and pursued me so passionately didn’t actually love me.

I was just a distraction for his lonely moments. Chloe was his true love, the one who truly held his heart.

Now that his real love was back, of course, I, the stand-in, should just step aside.

But none of it mattered anymore. I put the ring and the unsigned pre-nuptial agreement into the drawer.

Jackson would never guess that the agreement his grandmother had forced him to sign, giving me half of his assets, was never notarized. I hadn't even signed it.

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