Chapter 1

I'd been secretly dating Nathan for five years.

In our fifth year together, he publicly announced his engagement. But his fiancée wasn't me.

On TV, he was on one knee, proposing to his first love with a diamond ring.

In the real world, I stood up from the cake I'd made for our fifth anniversary. I calmly dialed my grandfather's number.

"Grandfather, I accept the arranged marriage to the Foster family."

Five years as a substitute. It was time to end it.

This time, I would be the one marrying someone else.

Lily's POV

In the fifth year of my secret relationship with Nathan, the billionaire heir, he publicly announced his engagement. The fiancée wasn't me.

I sat in a dim private room, staring at the melted remains of our fifth anniversary cake.

On the wall screen, a charity gala played live.

Nathan Sterling had hidden me away for five years. He refused to even hold my hand in public. Now he was gently placing a five-million-dollar diamond tiara on Susan's head.

"Welcome back, my princess." His voice came through the microphone, deep and tender.

Then the camera panned to the audience below, accidentally picking up his friends' teasing voices.

"Nathan, the love of your life is finally back. What about that woman you've been keeping at home? After five years, you two should break up, right?"

My entire body went rigid, as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over me. Even breathing hurt.

Through the screen, I couldn't see Nathan's expression clearly, but I heard his casual laugh perfectly.

"She's just a little toy. I'll write her a check later and be done with it. Don't mention this in front of Susan. She's soft-hearted and can't handle hearing about these things."

Five years.

We'd been together for five years. He pampered me, spoiled me, bought me the most expensive bags, let me live in the best house. But he never introduced me to anyone.

At first, he'd hold me and coax me. "Lily, just wait a little longer. The Sterling family's situation is unstable right now. I'm afraid making us public would put you in danger."

Later, I gave up my position as the family heir and became his company's chief designer. Then he said, "Office romances attract too much gossip. I don't want to put you through that."

I bought every excuse. I buried my pride and ambition. I became the understanding, obedient woman behind him. Invisible.

But now, I'd heard it with my own ears. The reason he wouldn't make us public wasn't to protect me at all.

It was simply because he didn't love me.

It was because from the very beginning, I'd been nothing more than a substitute for Susan!

I stared at the screen showing the two of them embracing, my eyes burning red. After a long moment, I let out a soft, self-mocking laugh.

I was laughing at my own stupidity, my own foolishness. I was laughing at how these five years of my youth had become a pathetic joke.

Just then, my phone on the table rang abruptly.

It was my grandfather calling.

"Lily, the Foster boy has returned to the country. Have you thought about the arranged marriage? You haven't come home for five years because of that Nathan, but he hasn't even given you a proper status! I know Damien Foster well. He's an excellent young man..."

My grandfather tried to persuade me as always, but this time, before he could finish, I cut him off calmly.

"Grandfather, I accept the marriage."

The other end of the line went dead silent. After a long pause, my grandfather asked in disbelief."Really?"

"Really." I looked at the screen where Nathan was kissing Susan's cheek, my voice completely devoid of emotion. "When I come back, I'm staying in New York. I'm never leaving again."

After hanging up, I threw the carefully prepared gift box from the table into the trash and walked out of the private room.

I'd just finished taking down the fifth anniversary decorations when the front door swung open.

Nathan walked in, carrying the faint scent of rose perfume. Susan's favorite.

He saw me on the sofa, walked over, and casually handed me a luxury jewelry box. His tone was gentle, like nothing had happened.

"The company was too busy today. I couldn't be with you. You saw the news? It's just for show, to build momentum for a collaboration between our companies. We're just acting. I'm not going to marry Susan."

My gaze met his deep eyes, but he felt like a complete stranger.

I already knew the truth, so naturally I knew how fake his affection was in this moment.

I didn't take the jewelry box. I simply nodded calmly.

"I understand."

Whether he married Susan or not, I didn't care anymore.

After all, I was going to marry someone else.