Chapter 2

Simon, the boy who grew up next door, had been by my side since childhood.

He was handsome, intelligent, and always ranked at the top of our class.

As the less gifted one, I looked up to him, striving to keep up.

During our final year of high school, I studied tirelessly to get into the same university as him.

On the day of our college graduation, I finally mustered the courage to confess my feelings.

He was drunk, his gaze lingering on me with a complicated expression.

Just when I thought he was going to reject me, he said, "Alright, let’s date then."

The moment the words left his lips, he pulled me into his arms, his warm lips pressing against mine as we sank into the moment.

Because of that kiss, I never once hesitated to stay by his side.

Even when he refused his family’s financial support and we ended up living in a cramped basement apartment, I endured every hardship with him without complaint.

When he started his own business, a mutual friend once warned me, "Simon doesn’t love you. He’s just passing time with you. Walk away before you get hurt."

But I refused to believe it.

I gave him my whole heart, convinced that my years of companionship would one day be enough to earn his love.

In the end, I lost that bet.

On the night of our engagement party, Simon received a message from Yara, announcing her return.

Without a word, he left me while I was still giving a toast, stepped off the stage, and drove away without a second glance.

As I faced the guests’ sympathetic stares, I forced back my tears and smiled. "An urgent matter came up at his company. He had to leave right away."

Back at home, I sat in silence, staring at his latest post on social media all night.

A photo of two hands clasped together burned into my eyes like a fresh wound.

From that day on, he came home later and later.

After showering, he went straight to his study.

Standing outside the door, I could hear the quiet laughter drifting from within.

Feigning ignorance, I once asked him what he did in there all night.

He frowned, his expression darkening. "You're too slow to understand anyway. Just stay out of my business from now on."

Hearing that, I felt my heart sink even further.

So, in the end, childhood bonds could never compete with fate.

Distracted while chopping vegetables, I accidentally sliced my finger deep enough to expose the bone.

Simon had no choice but to come out of his study and take me to the hospital for stitches.

As I opened the passenger door, my breath caught at the sight inside—his car was filled with plush toys and covered in cute stickers.

A sharp ache surged in my heart.

I suddenly remembered the time I accidentally left a fluffy keychain in his car. The moment he saw it, his face turned cold.

Without hesitation, he tossed it into the trash right in front of me, his expression full of disdain.

Noticing my gaze on him now, a flicker of discomfort flashed through his eyes.

He hurriedly shoved all the plush toys into the backseat and said, "Can you get in the car now?"

I held back the nausea from the overpowering sweetness in the air, just about to step inside when his phone suddenly rang.

"You’re hurt? I’ll be right there!"

He frowned and glanced at me. "Go to the hospital yourself. I have something to take care of."

I watched as his car sped off, disappearing from my sight, leaving a stinging pain in my eyes.

After my treatment, I happened to see a mutual friend’s social media post.

Following the location tag, I found myself at a golf club.

Through the glass of a private lounge, I saw Simon holding Yara in his arms, looking at her with a depth of emotion I had never seen before.

Before I even had time to feel heartbroken, his voice drifted out from the lounge, confirming everything.

And standing right behind me was the stranger Simon hired—the man who was supposed to pursue me.

His eyes filled with sympathy as he looked at me. "Don’t be sad."