Chapter 2

Gianna POV

I walked in the rain all night. By the time I returned to the apartment, I'd developed a low fever.

I didn't take medicine, just curled up on the sofa, looking at the traces of our shared life throughout the room, feeling nothing but irony.

Marcus didn't come back until noon the next day, reeking of alcohol.

Seeing my pale face on the sofa, his frown deepened.

"Had enough of your tantrum last night?" He loosened his tie, his tone condescending and patronizing. "Clara just got back. She has no friends here. It's only right that I look after her more. You're my girlfriend. Be more understanding. Don't always act like a resentful wife."

I looked up at his self-righteous face, feeling only absurdity.

"Understanding? Marcus, what exactly am I to you?"

"What more do you want?" Marcus impatiently interrupted me. "I already said you're my girlfriend. What are you still complaining about? Oh right, that 'Starfall' comic copyright you have—the company's decided to give it to Clara as the lead artist."

I stood up abruptly, looking at him in disbelief.

"Starfall" was a comic I'd spent three years of my life creating. It was about to be adapted for film and television, with Marcus's company handling the development.

"That's my life's work! Why should she get it?"

"Clara studied art abroad. She needs a presentable project to establish herself in the industry." Marcus spoke as if it were completely reasonable. "You don't need this one copyright anyway. I'll compensate you with a few more later. Clara has depression. She can't handle setbacks. Just think of it as helping her out this once."

"I help her? Who's going to help me?" I trembled with anger. "Marcus, to please your first love, you're going to take my life's work and give it to her?"

"Gianna!" Marcus shouted sharply. "When did you become so selfish and malicious? Clara is so sick. What's wrong with you giving in to her? I've already decided. Legal will send you the transfer contract this afternoon. Just sign it."

With that, he slammed the door and left.

I collapsed onto the sofa, tears finally falling uncontrollably.

Six years of devotion had earned me the label "selfish and malicious."

That afternoon, legal indeed sent the contract.

I didn't sign. I called Marcus directly, but he hung up.

When I called again, Clara answered.

"Miss Hayes, Marcus is in the shower." Clara's voice couldn't hide her smugness. "You received the 'Starfall' contract, right? Thank you so much. Marcus said this is his welcome home gift for me. Don't worry, I'll draw it well."

My knuckles turned white gripping the phone. Without saying a word, I hung up.

I opened my computer and looked at the thousands of "Starfall" sketches in my folder, my heart aching.

Just then, my phone rang.

It was Xavier calling.

"Gianna, Mom and Dad found you a match for an arranged marriage. Second son of the Italian Sinclair family. His character and background are impeccable. That unreliable boyfriend of yours has been with you six years and won't even meet the family. Break up already and come home to get married."

In the past, hearing such words, I would refuse without hesitation, even having huge fights with my family over Marcus.

But this time, looking at the glaring transfer contract on my screen, I fell silent for a long time.

"Xavier," my voice was hoarse, "let me think about it some more."

I still needed a little more time to completely kill that ridiculous hope in my heart.