I almost forgot that I blocked his phone number.Xander's urgent voice sounded through the phone."Cynthia, I saw your comment. It's not what you think. Please let me explain. I didn't come to Bodalie Island for a vacation; I'm on a business trip. I'm working on the company's project."Cynthia, Natasha was diagnosed with depression, and I only took her there to help her relax. If you're upset, I'll come back right away and stay with you, okay? You—"In the past, he would never have bothered explaining to me. This time, though, something was different. He was desperately trying to make it right.I guessed he realized he might be losing me.But late declarations of love were as worthless as dirt."Mr. Loewe," I interrupted him. "There's really no need for you to explain. We've already broken up.""I didn't agree to break up!" He begged, "Being in a relationship is a two-person matter. I can't accept a one-sided breakup! Cynthia, I know you're still angry with me. Please wait for
Mia brought a box of delicious-looking king crabs to visit me.I hadn't had crab in a long time.The reason was simple—Xander had once helped Natasha crack open a crab at a business dinner. Back then, I was afraid he wouldn't have time to eat, so I lowered myself to crack it for him.But all I got in return was Xander's reprimand.He hissed, "Cynthia, could you stop being so malicious toward Natasha? Are you trying to humiliate her? Do you feel superior?"To him, I was a vulgar businesswoman, while Natasha was a talented but overlooked intellectual.Yes, they were the same type of person.The small-town scholar had broken free from the shackles of fate when he left the mountain ranges.Both Xander and Natasha were fragile and sensitive, and they had a strong sense of pride. That was why Xander could understand Natasha well.As the saying went, "Only the crying child would get the candy."But for me, I no longer cared for his tiny offerings of sweetness.I never ate crab agai
I replied expressionlessly, "I don't know any Xander. You have the wrong number." And then, I blocked all those numbers that called me to collect the money. To be loved brought life and warmth, but losing love stripped away one's light.By the eighth month after we separated, the young man who once climbed his way up step by step with my help had completely hit rock bottom.One day, during a business entertainment outing, I accompanied a client to the city's largest club. A casual glance and my eyes met a familiar gaze.Under the dim, intimate purple lights, Xander was dressed in a cheap, revealing leather outfit as he entertained an older man.That old man clearly had peculiar tastes. His lecherous eyes were glued to Xander as if ready to take him by force at any moment.Probing and sardonic gazes continuously fell upon him from nearby.At that moment, Xander was nothing more than a commodity awaiting appraisal and purchase.Beneath his forced smile lay deep disgust and fea
The first light of dawn broke gently.By the time we left the charity gala, Xander Loewe was already slightly tipsy. His face was flushed, and he was a little unsteady on his feet.He tentatively asked me, "Cynthia, it's getting really late. How about we skip your birthday for now? We can celebrate another day. Doesn't make a difference, does it?"It was already past midnight.Maybe he was right. There was no point in celebrating my birthday anymore.But wasn't he the one who said this charity gala was crucial for his career? That he couldn't excuse himself but would absolutely come to see me after the event to make it up to me?And yet, what did he do?He spent millions at the auction to buy a pair of matching watches and slipped one onto his first love—Natasha Stellar's—wrist.I had so many questions on the tip of my tongue, yet I couldn't bring myself to ask them.For instance, why did he buy matching watches for Natasha?Or why didn't he clarify things with the media?He
I lifted my bloodied face, the mix of blood and cream making for a horrifying sight.I was utterly wretched.I, Cynthia Quinn, was nearly maimed by my boyfriend on my 26th birthday.A crimson haze clouded my vision.In my fading consciousness, the last thing I heard was Xander stammering, "I'm sorry, I really am… I didn't mean to… It wasn't Natasha's fault; I just wanted to tease Cynthia a bit. I never thought—""That's enough!" Mia shoved Xander aside. "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you really still making excuses at a time like this? Shouldn't you be worried about Cynthia's safety? What? Does dragging it out and making things worse make you feel better?"With that, she helped me up and sped me to the hospital.When I woke up, Xander wasn't there.The anesthesia hadn't worn off yet. The pungent smell of disinfectant filled my nose, and my vision was still blurry due to blood pooling around my optic nerve.The doctor's angry voice not far away echoed."What kind of fri
After the nurse had just changed my dressing, I lay on the hospital bed, staring at the pitch-black night sky dotted with a few scattered stars.Out of nowhere, I thought of the diamond-encrusted watch on Natasha's wrist.How ridiculous.He was still using that bank card after all these years. However, he was using my money on another woman.It was a rude awakening when I finally realized I had been a fool all along.My phone buzzed suddenly.As I opened the notification, I saw that it was a Tweet. In the comments, an account had tagged me.The caption read, "Love is a fallacy, but loving you is the paradox I can never forsake."The accompanying picture showed Xander sitting at the dining table, smiling warmly as he scooped up some broth.Ah, this was Natasha's declaration of war.That spread of dishes was unmistakably Xander's handiwork.After we started dating, Xander never cooked for me again, claiming to be too busy with work.Silently, I exited Twitter and opened my ch
"Isn't that Mr. Loewe from Quinn Group?""Oh my gosh, they look perfect together!""I've seen them online! Mr. Loewe once spent millions on matching watches for his wife!""So sweet! I'm totally rooting for them!"Xander, who had been featured in local news and newspapers, quickly became the center of attention.Mistaking them for a newly engaged couple, the staff eagerly invited them to participate in the store's anniversary activity.The challenge involved holding opposite ends of a cookie between their lips. They would win if the cookie didn't fall to the ground after ten minutes.The crowd cheered enthusiastically, "Mr. Loewe, join in! Join in!"I stood among the spectators, silently watching as if I were observing a stranger entirely unrelated to me.Natasha noticed me out of the corner of her eye.Xander's supposed "noble intellectual" raised her eyebrows mockingly.She was provoking me.I found it laughable."Xander, take a good look," I thought. "Who's the childish
I replied expressionlessly, "I don't know any Xander. You have the wrong number." And then, I blocked all those numbers that called me to collect the money. To be loved brought life and warmth, but losing love stripped away one's light.By the eighth month after we separated, the young man who once climbed his way up step by step with my help had completely hit rock bottom.One day, during a business entertainment outing, I accompanied a client to the city's largest club. A casual glance and my eyes met a familiar gaze.Under the dim, intimate purple lights, Xander was dressed in a cheap, revealing leather outfit as he entertained an older man.That old man clearly had peculiar tastes. His lecherous eyes were glued to Xander as if ready to take him by force at any moment.Probing and sardonic gazes continuously fell upon him from nearby.At that moment, Xander was nothing more than a commodity awaiting appraisal and purchase.Beneath his forced smile lay deep disgust and fea
Mia brought a box of delicious-looking king crabs to visit me.I hadn't had crab in a long time.The reason was simple—Xander had once helped Natasha crack open a crab at a business dinner. Back then, I was afraid he wouldn't have time to eat, so I lowered myself to crack it for him.But all I got in return was Xander's reprimand.He hissed, "Cynthia, could you stop being so malicious toward Natasha? Are you trying to humiliate her? Do you feel superior?"To him, I was a vulgar businesswoman, while Natasha was a talented but overlooked intellectual.Yes, they were the same type of person.The small-town scholar had broken free from the shackles of fate when he left the mountain ranges.Both Xander and Natasha were fragile and sensitive, and they had a strong sense of pride. That was why Xander could understand Natasha well.As the saying went, "Only the crying child would get the candy."But for me, I no longer cared for his tiny offerings of sweetness.I never ate crab agai
I almost forgot that I blocked his phone number.Xander's urgent voice sounded through the phone."Cynthia, I saw your comment. It's not what you think. Please let me explain. I didn't come to Bodalie Island for a vacation; I'm on a business trip. I'm working on the company's project."Cynthia, Natasha was diagnosed with depression, and I only took her there to help her relax. If you're upset, I'll come back right away and stay with you, okay? You—"In the past, he would never have bothered explaining to me. This time, though, something was different. He was desperately trying to make it right.I guessed he realized he might be losing me.But late declarations of love were as worthless as dirt."Mr. Loewe," I interrupted him. "There's really no need for you to explain. We've already broken up.""I didn't agree to break up!" He begged, "Being in a relationship is a two-person matter. I can't accept a one-sided breakup! Cynthia, I know you're still angry with me. Please wait for
I ignored him as I strode right out of there.Xander quickly caught up. He must have calmed down and realized that he had gone too far.He reached out to touch my face. "I'm sorry, Cynthia. Does it hurt? I didn't mean it. I was just too hasty..."Indeed, his favoritism toward Natasha wasn't a one-time thing.I pulled away from his hand. "It's fine. I'll just pretend I got bitten by a dog."Xander's face was filled with disbelief. "Why? Cynthia, you don't seem upset at all."Upset?Did he want me to break down, cry uncontrollably, and pester him? Only when he humiliated me would he finally pity me, huh?I chuckled in response. "Yeah, I'm not upset. What's there to be upset about? Xander, let's break up."The words I thought would be painful to say had come out so easily."Why? Cynthia, didn't you say you would love me forever?" He grabbed my hand, visibly distressed. "Cynthia, listen to me, okay? I actually saw you when we were eating the cookie. I did it on purpose! I just wa
"Isn't that Mr. Loewe from Quinn Group?""Oh my gosh, they look perfect together!""I've seen them online! Mr. Loewe once spent millions on matching watches for his wife!""So sweet! I'm totally rooting for them!"Xander, who had been featured in local news and newspapers, quickly became the center of attention.Mistaking them for a newly engaged couple, the staff eagerly invited them to participate in the store's anniversary activity.The challenge involved holding opposite ends of a cookie between their lips. They would win if the cookie didn't fall to the ground after ten minutes.The crowd cheered enthusiastically, "Mr. Loewe, join in! Join in!"I stood among the spectators, silently watching as if I were observing a stranger entirely unrelated to me.Natasha noticed me out of the corner of her eye.Xander's supposed "noble intellectual" raised her eyebrows mockingly.She was provoking me.I found it laughable."Xander, take a good look," I thought. "Who's the childish
After the nurse had just changed my dressing, I lay on the hospital bed, staring at the pitch-black night sky dotted with a few scattered stars.Out of nowhere, I thought of the diamond-encrusted watch on Natasha's wrist.How ridiculous.He was still using that bank card after all these years. However, he was using my money on another woman.It was a rude awakening when I finally realized I had been a fool all along.My phone buzzed suddenly.As I opened the notification, I saw that it was a Tweet. In the comments, an account had tagged me.The caption read, "Love is a fallacy, but loving you is the paradox I can never forsake."The accompanying picture showed Xander sitting at the dining table, smiling warmly as he scooped up some broth.Ah, this was Natasha's declaration of war.That spread of dishes was unmistakably Xander's handiwork.After we started dating, Xander never cooked for me again, claiming to be too busy with work.Silently, I exited Twitter and opened my ch
I lifted my bloodied face, the mix of blood and cream making for a horrifying sight.I was utterly wretched.I, Cynthia Quinn, was nearly maimed by my boyfriend on my 26th birthday.A crimson haze clouded my vision.In my fading consciousness, the last thing I heard was Xander stammering, "I'm sorry, I really am… I didn't mean to… It wasn't Natasha's fault; I just wanted to tease Cynthia a bit. I never thought—""That's enough!" Mia shoved Xander aside. "What the hell is wrong with you? Are you really still making excuses at a time like this? Shouldn't you be worried about Cynthia's safety? What? Does dragging it out and making things worse make you feel better?"With that, she helped me up and sped me to the hospital.When I woke up, Xander wasn't there.The anesthesia hadn't worn off yet. The pungent smell of disinfectant filled my nose, and my vision was still blurry due to blood pooling around my optic nerve.The doctor's angry voice not far away echoed."What kind of fri
The first light of dawn broke gently.By the time we left the charity gala, Xander Loewe was already slightly tipsy. His face was flushed, and he was a little unsteady on his feet.He tentatively asked me, "Cynthia, it's getting really late. How about we skip your birthday for now? We can celebrate another day. Doesn't make a difference, does it?"It was already past midnight.Maybe he was right. There was no point in celebrating my birthday anymore.But wasn't he the one who said this charity gala was crucial for his career? That he couldn't excuse himself but would absolutely come to see me after the event to make it up to me?And yet, what did he do?He spent millions at the auction to buy a pair of matching watches and slipped one onto his first love—Natasha Stellar's—wrist.I had so many questions on the tip of my tongue, yet I couldn't bring myself to ask them.For instance, why did he buy matching watches for Natasha?Or why didn't he clarify things with the media?He