Chapter 1

I was dating my handsome landlord, Eugene.

For our sixth anniversary, he rented out an entire rooftop restaurant just for the two of us.

That night, right as things were heating up in bed, I accidentally caught a glimpse of a text popping up on his phone:

[Don't forget we're meeting tomorrow in the private dining room to discuss wedding plans!]

The sender called Eugene "hubby." Her profile picture showed a stunning, glamorous woman.

I shoved Eugene away. He stumbled on the mattress, breathing heavily.

This time, I was truly, completely exhausted.

Eugene's breath still lingered against my skin.

"Babe, what's wrong?"

Pushed away so abruptly, his mood deflated, a hint of annoyance creeping into his voice.

"I'm not in the mood."

I threw my clothes back on, walked straight into the living room, and took deep, frantic gulps of fresh air.

All I wanted was to escape this suffocating place. To get away from this hypocrite.

After freezing for a few seconds, I packed up my purse and headed toward the door.

"Babe, why are you suddenly picking a fight?"

Of course he didn't know. He probably thought he had covered his tracks perfectly.

He never expected a slip-up like this.

"I'm just tired of playing along."

That stopped him in his tracks. Eugene frowned, irritation flashing in his eyes.

I added coldly, "You're literally getting married. Why are you still messing with me?"

Instantly, the color drained from Eugene's face. A flicker of guilt washed over his eyes.

Eugene and I came from completely different worlds.

I grew up poor in a small rural town, while his family owned half a dozen prime rental properties in the city.

Eugene's friends had always said we were a terrible match, that there was no way we'd ever tie the knot.

Deep down, I knew we probably had no future.

Yet, time after time, Eugene turned down the blind dates his parents set up. Time after time, he went out of his way to pamper me.

He made me believe I could defy convention. He made me believe we would grow old together.

For him, I learned how to bake pastries.

For him, I gave up spicy food and switched to a bland diet.

I adjusted my entire schedule around his and encouraged him to launch his own startup.

In return, he spent less and less time with me, always using the same sweet excuse: "I'm doing this so we can have a better future."

In the end, I was the only clown in this circus.

"Serena, let me explain."

Eugene grabbed my wrist, refusing to let go.

"Did you see that text on my phone? My parents are forcing me into this. If I don't marry her, they'll cut me off completely. You know I'm nothing without my family's money. I have to pretend to play along."

"Trust me, my heart is only with you. I can give you anything else you want—just not a marriage certificate."

Eugene sounded so earnest.

To my ears, it sounded sickeningly absurd.

Dating someone with zero intention of building a real future was nothing short of a scam.

Wanting all the fun without taking any responsibility—wasn't that the literal definition of a player?

I wrenched my hand out of his grip and looked right at him.

"And how much is your love actually worth?"

"Keep your twisted love. I don't want it anymore."

I stared dead into his eyes.

It was the first time Eugene had ever seen me look so cold and resolute. For a second, he seemed lost. But his stubborn pride kicked in, and he stopped pleading.

"Fine, walk out that door! Just don't come crying back to me! If you come begging later, don't expect me to take you back."

Eugene lifted his chin, his tone turning frosty.

Looking at the man I had loved for six years, all I felt was pure revulsion.