Chapter 1

My girlfriend had a dream of stardom.

She told me she would marry me the day she won the Golden Magnolia for Best Actress.

I mobilized all my connections and resources to push her to the top, giving her hundreds of millions of followers.

Yet on the day of the awards gala, she held up the microphone and gave a tearful, heartfelt confession to her first love.

All because her first love had nearly broken his leg just to show up at her ceremony.

When I confronted her, she was brazenly righteous.

"He was willing to risk his life for me! Would you ever do that?"

"We're just dating! It’s not like I sold myself to you!"

Listening to the busy tone buzzing from the other end of the line, my heart turned completely cold.

So, to her, we were merely "just dating."

I pulled out my phone and dialed my assistant. "Pull all the investments we put into Luna Vance. Every single one."

My assistant froze for a moment, unable to process it. "What? Mr. Vance—sorry, Mr. Hayes, are you sure?"

He knew better than anyone how much I had pampered Luna, holding her like a precious gem in the palm of my hand.

Ever since Luna made her debut, I had poured countless millions into her behind the scenes, using my own network to secure her major sponsorships and prime roles.

That was the only reason she was able to skyrocket in just one year, becoming a household name and winning Best Actress.

All because she once said that only on the day she stood on the winner’s podium would she be ready to officially marry me.

So I had foolishly given everything, silently waiting for that day to arrive.

And now, the day I had looked forward to with all my heart had finally come, only for reality to slap me brutally across the face.

I stood outside in the freezing wind for a long time. Only when my hands and feet went completely numb did I return home, utterly defeated.

The moment I stepped through the front door, the sound of laughter and chattering drifted from the living room.

Seeing me walk in, Luna’s smile tightened slightly. Then, she casually kicked the pile of gowns on the floor toward me.

"Why are you back so late today? Wash these for me. Remember, use warm water and hand-wash only."

I glanced at the clothes piled waist-high on the floor.

Aside from the designer gown she wore to accept her award today, there was also a set of men's clothing.

Right then, Julian Miller smiled at me and chimed in:

"Thanks for the hard work, Luke! Oh, by the way, my suit is bespoke Haute Couture. Make sure you're extra careful with it."

I said nothing. I simply stepped straight over their clothes and walked into the bedroom.

I was done being Luna’s personal servant.

Seeing this, Luna screeched at the top of her lungs, "Luke Hayes, have you lost your damn mind?! Do you have any idea how expensive that dress is? How dare you step all over it!"

I tuned out her screaming completely, emotionlessly pulling a suitcase out from the closet.

Now, Luna was genuinely stunned.

"What do you think you're doing? So what if I publicly confessed to Julian on stage? Are you seriously throwing a tantrum and running away from home over this? Do you honestly think I’m scared of your little games?"

Of course she wasn’t.

Luna had never once feared my threats.

Instead, during our eight years together, I had been the one terrified of her breaking up with me, humbling myself down into the dust.

But now, I was truly exhausted.

This one-sided relationship where only I gave and gave—I didn't want to carry it anymore.

Julian followed her into the bedroom right behind.

Wearing a deeply hurt, remorseful look, he turned to me, his voice full of soft pleading.

"Luke, I'm so sorry. It’s all my fault for getting between you and Luna. I shouldn’t have shown up."

"I should have just died in that car crash back then. That way, you two wouldn't be fighting because of me."

Hearing this, Luna instantly pulled Julian behind her back.

Her brows knotted together, and she urgently clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Stop talking nonsense! You're not the one who should be dead!"

Then, Luna spun around, violently slapping the clothes out of my hands onto the floor.

Acting as if she were the deeply wronged victim, she raised her voice shrilly.

"Luke, apologize to Julian right this second!"

"Don't you ever forget—you still owe me a life!"