Chapter 1

On my wedding day, after seeing my fiancée cheat on me with an intern in a hotel room, I left quietly.

Everyone was guessing when I would give in and beg my fiancée to redo the wedding.

After all, the same thing happened at our engagement party two months ago, but I could not stand to lose Azalea Holloway. After one night of crying, I chose to forgive her.

But this time, to everyone’s surprise, I moved away from the city the very next day, fully disappearing from Azalea’s life.

At this time, I painted portraits in my own realistic studio.

I looked up calmly at my last client of the day.

“Hello, please show me your digital booking record.”

The woman’s eyes shook a little.

“My name is on the booking...”

“You forgot me so fast?”

——

Looking at the woman in front of me, I calmly said, “Sorry, many people have the same name.”

“I need to confirm the details.” Hearing this, Azalea bit her lip, but in the end, she showed me the appointment record.

Later, she sat down.

I painted like always.

Azalea looked at the pen in my hand and said slowly, “I didn’t know you could paint and paint this well.”

Slightly, I smiled and stayed quiet.

She went on, “How have you been during these last three years?”

“Quite fine,” I answered with a professional smile, “Each day follows the same pattern: living, the studio and…”

Before I could finish, she cut me off, “You’re lying.”

Her face showed anger as she stared at me, as if searching for something.

“You used to be someone rising fast in business, admired by everyone. You also enjoyed traveling when you had free time. How could you really be happy staying in just one place?”

I shook my head.

She was mistaken.

Back then, I gave all my time to helping her grow her company. I only talked about liking travel so I could take her out when I noticed she felt bored.

She never knew that my hard push at work was only to save enough money to live the life I truly wanted.

That life was painting, but she disliked calm days.

So, I let it go long ago.

Now, I was simply finding my interest again.

Just as I was getting ready to talk, the studio door got pushed open.

Two police officers with serious faces brought in a person who looked confused.

“Mr. Zorrick, sorry to trouble you again. This victim had a wallet taken and there are no cameras nearby.”

I nodded and looked at Azalea. “I’m sorry, you may need to wait for a short time.”

The victim thanked her, then stood up and moved to the side, her eyes looking a bit blank.

Soon, I drew the thief’s face based on what the victim described.

When he saw the finished drawing, he jumped with excitement. “Mr. Zorrick, thank you so much! This looks exactly like the person who took my bag! You’re amazing!”

I smiled softly. “You’re welcome.”

Azalea sat down once more.

I finished the sketching in one go and put it away.

Inside the drawing, she wore a circle of white lilies and a bright stone ring on the ring finger of her right hand.

She raised her hand and then suddenly spoke, “Zayden, do you remember this diamond ring came from that time…”

“No.”

I interrupted her, ended my drawing, took it away and passed it to her.

“Your painting, please keep it carefully.”

She softly took it, looking at the painting in silence.

Out of habit, I asked, “Is there anything you don’t like about it?”

She forced a smile. “No, it’s okay.”

“Then, take care.”

She paused, but still had to leave under my look.

When I shut the shop door, rain suddenly began to fall.