Chapter 5

Lynn's POV

Ten days until departure.

The gauze on my hand had been changed three times. Alexander's performance had lasted three days.

During these three days, he canceled all his "part-time jobs" and stayed in the apartment like a child who'd done something wrong.

He cooked for me in various ways, even clumsily following online tutorials to make bone broth.

"Lynn, does your hand still hurt?"

Alexander brought the soup to the bedside, his eyes full of careful flattery.

I leaned against the headboard, looking at his flawless face, only feeling it was utterly unfamiliar.

"It doesn't hurt anymore."

I didn't take the bowl of soup.

"Just leave it. I don't have an appetite."

Alexander's hand froze in mid-air, panic flashing through his eyes.

He set down the bowl and pulled an exquisite velvet box from his pocket. He opened it.

Inside lay a star-shaped necklace.

"Lynn, I saved up two months of salary to buy this for you. You've always wanted a necklace, right?"

He looked at me with expectant eyes.

I looked at the necklace.

Crude workmanship, cheap rhinestones. Even the clasp gleamed with cheap metallic luster.

Just yesterday, I'd seen an identical necklace on Victoria's Instagram.

Except the one around Victoria's neck was a globally limited edition from a luxury brand, outrageously expensive.

He gave the expensive genuine article to someone else, while using a cheap knockoff to placate me.

"Thank you, I really like it."

I didn't expose him. I just calmly accepted the box and casually set it on the nightstand.

Seeing me accept it, Alexander breathed a long sigh of relief and pulled me into his arms.

"Lynn, once I graduate, let's get married. I'll treat you well for the rest of my life."

I let him hold me, my chin resting on his shoulder.

"Okay."

I said softly.

"I'll wait for you."

Just then, Alexander's phone on the table started vibrating.

His body stiffened. He quickly released me, grabbed his phone, glanced at it, and his expression changed.

"Lynn, my professor suddenly needs me to verify some data urgently. I have to go to the lab."

As he spoke, he hurriedly put on his jacket.

I watched his retreating figure without trying to stop him. I just nodded.

"Go ahead. Be careful on the road."

The moment the door closed, I took out my phone and opened a post Victoria had made five minutes ago.

In the photo, Victoria wore a hospital gown with an IV in her hand. The caption read:

"Sick, and only you're willing to drop everything to be with me."

In the corner of the photo was a glimpse of a man's sleeve.

It was the faded white T-shirt Alexander had changed into before leaving this morning.

Five days until departure.

Today was the two-year anniversary of Alexander and me being together.

Before leaving this morning, Alexander solemnly promised he would definitely come home early tonight and take me to that private restaurant in the south part of town that I loved.

"Lynn, wait for me tonight. I have something very important to give you."

He kissed my forehead, his eyes so affectionate they could drown someone.

I looked at him and just smiled slightly.

"Okay."

That afternoon, I went to the bank and calculated every penny Alexander had "borrowed" from me or spent on me over the past two years, with interest, and deposited it all onto a new card.

A total of three thousand four hundred fifty dollars.

That was all the money that man had ever spent on me.

At seven PM, I sat in that restaurant, watching the food on the table gradually grow cold, calmly sipping lemon water.

Eight o'clock. Alexander didn't appear.

Nine o'clock. His phone was unreachable.

Ten o'clock. The restaurant closed and the staff apologetically asked me to leave.

I paid the bill and walked alone in the cold late autumn wind. My phone suddenly vibrated. It was a picture message from an unknown number.

In the photo was an extremely luxurious rooftop restaurant.

Victoria wore an elaborate gown, holding a large bouquet of red roses, her face full of shy smiles.

Standing opposite her was Alexander in a haute couture suit.

Below the photo was a single line:

"Lynn, he's proposing tonight, but not to you."

I looked at the screen without my breathing even faltering.

I casually deleted the message and blocked the number.

When I returned to the apartment, it was past eleven at night.

The room was pitch black. I turned on the light and began packing the last of my luggage.

Clothes, documents, a few medical books. One suitcase contained my entire life here.

At two in the morning, the door lock turned.

Alexander stumbled in, reeking of alcohol and perfume.

Seeing me sitting on the sofa, he froze, then overwhelming guilt flooded his eyes.

"Lynn... I'm sorry..."