Chapter 1

Julian always said his love was eternal, a vow meant to last until death.

So when another girl and I fell into the water, he chose to save her first. By the time they pulled me out, I was almost gone.

Later, someone sent me flowers, and he completely lost it in front of me.

What?

Didn't he say he didn’t love me anymore? Why is he now on his knees, tearing up, like his heart's been ripped out?

The moment I saw Julian, I couldn't stop myself from following him.

I just told myself: *Just one look, Chloe. See what his new girlfriend looks like.*

“Julian, your new lady is stunning!”

I followed the speaker's gaze and spotted a girl among a crowd of men in tailored suits.

Her long hair cascaded down her back, and her fair skin glowed. A form-fitting, dusty rose long dress highlighted her elegant, almost regal, demeanor.

Julian offered a reserved smile, silently acknowledging her as his girlfriend.

Memories surged through my mind like a restless tide, and in the next second, our eyes locked.

The moment his gaze met mine, my heart clenched. Those eyes, once so tender they could drown me in their depths, were now distant, indifferent.

Under the sunlight, Julian’s handsome face seemed to radiate a chill. He exchanged a few polite words with those around him, then started walking towards me.

“What are you doing here?”

Julian’s voice always had a deep, calm quality, but this time, his question carried an edge of impatience.

Right. What was I even doing here? I just wanted a quick peek, then I was supposed to leave.

I wanted to ask him why he’d found a new girlfriend the very next day after we broke up.

Didn't I deserve an explanation? But the words caught in my throat, my eyes burned with tears, and my voice felt like it was ripping apart.

I didn't know why. Just a week ago, we were madly in love, and now we were strangers.

Seeing me like this, Julian, usually the most patient person, completely lost his composure.

He turned his face away, frowning. “I hate it when women cry, and I can’t stand it when they cling. Go home. I don't want my fiancée to see you.”

I snapped my head up. The word “fiancée” hit me like a hammer, shattering my last line of defense.

“You had a fiancée all along? What was I, then? Your mistress? Your dirty little secret?”

Over his shoulder, I saw Julian’s fiancée walking toward us, the warm sunlight glinting off the ring on her ring finger.

I looked down at Julian’s ring finger—sure enough, an identical ring.

Before the tears could fall, I quickly turned away, trying my best to walk calmly and with dignity.

I touched the ring on my left ring finger, the one Julian had given me almost a year ago.

It was easy to put on, but impossible to take off, as if it had grown into my flesh. Removing it now would tear me apart.

I walked, wiping away tears, and then threw that ring into the grass by the roadside.

“He’s just a guy. I’ll find another one. It’s not like I can’t live without him,” I muttered to myself, trying to console my shattered heart, but the overwhelming tears wouldn't stop.

There was no bus stop near this club, and the wind on the road quickly dried my face.

A car slowly pulled up beside me. It was Julian’s driver. “Miss Chloe, Mr. Julian asked me to pick you up and take you somewhere.

He said he has the answers you’re looking for.”

More like a final farewell than an answer.