Chapter 3

Polina's POV

I ignored the accusations behind me and went straight to the master bedroom on the second floor.

The moment I pushed open the door, I froze.

My vanity table was piled with unfamiliar bottles and jars.

My skincare products had been shoved into a corner, and several bottles had been opened and used, their caps not even screwed back on.

In the walk-in closet, several of my current-season gowns had disappeared, replaced by pink dresses still with their tags on, hanging brazenly in the most prominent positions.

Even though I'd already decided to leave, seeing this scene made my stomach churn.

Lily had long since reached into my private space.

And none of this could have happened without Ethan's tacit approval.

I took out a travel bag and started packing.

As for the jewelry, designer bags, and other things Ethan had given me, I didn't touch a single one.

Just as I zipped up my suitcase, the door was pushed open without a knock.

Lily stood in the doorway, still holding the robe she'd taken from my closet.

Seeing my suitcase, the triumph in her eyes was undisguised.

"Polina, are you moving out?"

She leaned against the doorframe, smiling. "This room has great lighting. Ethan said I've been in poor health lately and wants me to move in to recuperate."

I ignored her and pulled my suitcase toward the door.

As I passed her, I said coldly, "Move."

But Lily suddenly changed her expression.

She grabbed my arm, her voice instantly switching to a tearful plea, loud enough for the entire second floor to hear.

"Polina, don't leave! It's all my fault. I shouldn't have made you angry. Please don't go!"

While crying and shouting, she dug her nails hard into my arm.

The sharp pain made me instinctively shake her off.

"Get off me!"

I barely used any force.

But Lily acted like she was made of paper, crying out and falling backward.

This happened to be the landing at the top of the stairs.

Her body tilted, and she rolled down.

"Lily!"

Ethan, who'd heard the commotion downstairs, rushed up just in time to see this scene.

He practically lunged to catch Lily, then looked up at me.

That look. Like he was looking at a murderer.

"Polina, how can you be so vicious?"

Someone nearby who hadn't left yet laughed. "Who would have thought the White family heir had zero tolerance for others. No wonder the White family went bankrupt. Whoever marries her is doomed."

I grabbed my suitcase and walked out of the Harper villa without looking back.

That night I checked into a boutique hotel.

My phone rang. It was Ethan.

I answered, but it was Ethan's grandfather, Victor Harper, on the other end.

"Polina, have you finalized the wedding venue yet? I'm waiting to attend your wedding."

My throat tightened, and tears nearly fell.

In the entire Harper family, only Victor truly cared about me.

"Grandpa..." I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "I'm not going through with this wedding."

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds.

Then Ethan took the phone.

"Polina, what are you making a fuss about now?"

His voice remained arrogant. "What nonsense are you telling Grandpa? Where are you?"

"I'm watching a TV show." I made up a random lie.

"Alright, stop being difficult."

"There's a watch on my study desk. It was supposed to be an apology gift for you. Since you've left, come back and get it when you have time."

He hung up directly.

The next day, his assistant delivered the watch to the hotel.

"Miss White, Mr. Harper said this is a Patek Philippe he's had custom-made for three years. It's one of a kind. He asks that you stop being temperamental."

The assistant left after setting down the box.

I opened it.

It truly was an exquisite watch, with a full diamond dial, sparkling brilliantly.

Ethan once said that time was the most expensive thing in the world, and his time belonged only to me.

I took out the watch and turned it over.

On the back, clearly engraved in script, was a line:

For Lily.

I stood frozen, then laughed out loud.

What "custom-made for three years," what "one of a kind."

This watch was originally meant for Lily all along.

Ethan Harper, you truly disgust me.

This so called devotion had been a love triangle from the start.

I wiped away my tears and threw the watch back in the box.

I took out my phone and permanently blocked Ethan.

Then I called a luxury goods consignment shop.

"I have several watches and pieces of jewelry to sell. I need cash quickly, the faster the better."

Selling this garbage, plus my savings, would be enough for the surgery fees in Switzerland.

I wanted to dig everything about him out of my brain completely.