Chapter 1

After a vigorous round of lovemaking, Holly Sinclair was covered in sweat.

Bryce Gabelman didn't hop into the shower like he usually did. Instead, he hugged her from behind so tightly that it seemed as if he wanted to press her into his body.

Holly felt like she was going to melt in his arms. She was surprised, nervous, excited, and also a little disconsolate, all at the same time.

They had been married for three years, but this was the first time he had ever hugged her like this.

She felt deeply loved.

Her heart thumped in her chest, and she turned around slowly. Then she tightly hugged him back with a sweet smile on her face. She was on top of the world.

They remained that way for a long time.

Bryce let go of her, then got dressed and sat up. He took out a pack of cigarettes from the drawer and shook one out in a practiced motion. Then, he lit it and took a deep drag.

Smoke shrouded him, and his handsome face was obscured by it. She couldn't see his expression clearly and had no idea what he was thinking. The cigarette was almost entirely burned out, but he didn't seem to notice.

Holly coughed lightly. "I thought you'd stopped smoking long ago?"

Bryce stubbed the cigarette out and looked intensely into her eyes. After a few moments of silence, he said, "Holly, let's go our separate ways."

Holly felt her world come crashing down around her.

She was shocked, and her heart turned as cold as ice immediately.

She was as white as a sheet as she stared at him dazedly. Her voice shook as she asked, "Did I do something wrong?"

"No."

"Then why do you want to break up?"

"Samantha's back. I'm sorry."

Samantha Cott was his ex-girlfriend.

Holly felt as if she had been stabbed in the heart. Three years! They had lived together for three years and spent every single day together, but that was nothing compared to the return of that woman!

He didn't love her. This was her biggest mistake!

She felt waves of disappointment, defeat, and sadness crash over her. Holly bit her lip, feeling stiff all over.

Her fingers trembled as she pulled on her clothes and got out of bed.

Bryce grabbed her shoulder and asked gently, "Where are you going?"

Holly suppressed her tears with all her might. "I'm going to make breakfast."

"You've always made breakfast. Let me do it today. You can sleep for a while more." His voice was low and gentle.

Holly assented and lay down. She pulled the blanket over her head to hide her tear-filled eyes.

After he left, she got out of bed and ran to the bathroom, where she finally burst into heartbroken sobs.

Tears dripped down her cheeks like broken strings of pearls, and they wouldn't stop no matter how she tried.

She had never known that loving someone would hurt so much. It felt as if he was a chunk of her flesh that had been gouged out.

It was so painful that she couldn't even stand steadily. She leaned against the wall, shaking with sobs.

She didn't know how much time had passed when Bryce called her down for breakfast.

Holly splashed cold water onto her face and washed her eyes repeatedly.

But no matter how many times she did so, her eyes remained red and bloodshot.

She went downstairs and saw Bryce waiting for her in the dining room.

He wore a haute couture suit that was tailored perfectly. The dark pants showed off his long legs, and he looked elegant and refined. He seemed to shine as he stood there.

Holly walked over to the table silently and sat down.

Bryce leaned down and looked at her reddened eyes. His gaze was unusually gentle. "Have you been crying?"

Holly looked up and squeezed out a smile. "I accidentally squirted cleanser into my eyes while washing my face. It'll be alright in a while."

"Be careful next time. Let's eat." Bryce sat down beside her and handed her a fork and knife.

Holly took them and lowered her eyes. She saw his slender fingers resting on his knife.

The sumptuous breakfast feast smelled amazing, but neither of them ate.

She had never eaten a sadder meal in her life.

Half an hour later, all the food still remained untouched.

Holly put down her cutlery and stood up, holding onto the corner of the table to steady herself.

She said softly, "I'm going to pack."

Bryce's fingers tightened on his cutlery. "You don't have to rush."

Holly smiled bitterly. How could she stay in this situation? Should she wait to be kicked out?

She turned around and went upstairs, where she began to dump her things into a suitcase one by one. It took her some time, and then she finally zipped it up and carried it downstairs.

Bryce came up to her and reached for the suitcase. "Give it to me."

"It's fine." Holly dragged the suitcase behind her as she walked out with her head held high.

She couldn't help feeling sad as she walked through the yard and looked at all the familiar shrubbery around her. She was human, after all.

It had been three years. Now, Holly knew that she was the only one who had developed feelings during those three years.

She had loved him so wholeheartedly, with both passion and as family, but what was the use of that?

She had to let go.

The two came to the entrance, and a car was already waiting outside.

Bryce handed her a check. "Thank you for accompanying me for the past three years."

Holly stood obstinately, unsure of whether or not she should take it.

Bryce stuffed the check into her suitcase. "Take it. There are many ways you can use the money."

"Okay," Holly answered with difficulty. She looked up and greedily took in his beautiful lips, high nose bridge, and good looks.

She thought about how she would lose herself in his eyes while in bed. He made her feel as if she were floating in a starry night sky.

Her heart twisted in pain, and she couldn't speak.

She was sure that there would come a day when she would no longer love him.

After three years? Ten years?

It might take a lifetime.

It had been easy to fall in love with him, but it was so difficult to forget him.

Bryce looked at her for a while, then suddenly pulled her into his arms.

His expression was calm, but there was a storm of emotion in his eyes. "It won't be easy for you to live on your own. Call me if you run into difficulties."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she swallowed them and said, "Okay."

"I wasn't healthy and had a terrible temper for the first two years. Thus, I'm sorry for giving you a hard time."

"It was alright."

"Take care of yourself."

"You, too." Holly slowly raised her arms to hug him as if they would never see each other again.

Suddenly, she let go of him.

She pushed him away and wiped her face quickly. Then, she grabbed her suitcase and turned to leave.

She had only gone a few steps when she suddenly heard him ask, "Who is Abel?"

Holly's heart jolted, and her footsteps slowed.

Memories of the past seemed to assail her in waves.

She couldn't speak from the pain.

Then she heard Bryce say again, "He must be very important to you. I'm sorry for hogging you for three years. I hope that you'll be happy."