Chapter 1

I thought three years of devotion would win Adrian's heart.

When he was paralyzed, I stayed by his bedside, listening to him beg me through trembling breaths not to leave him like his first love did.

I gave him my first kiss and my first night.

He promised me that once he could stand again, he would marry me.

But when his legs finally healed, at his recovery party, he told everyone.

"Scarlett? She's just my housekeeper. She's not good enough for me."

He pulled his first love close and kissed her right in front of me.

That moment, I knew. It was time to leave.

But Adrian, tell me. Why did you search the world for me like a madman after I left?

Scarlett's POV

I always believed Adrian was special to me.

During the three years he was paralyzed, when everyone else abandoned him, only I remained by his side.

I'd seen him at his most vulnerable. I'd been there on those late nights when he'd grab my wrist, his voice shaking.

"Scarlett, don't abandon me like she did."

I thought I'd finally melted through his ice-cold exterior.

But what came wasn't a marriage proposal. Instead, at his recovery party, I heard him laugh casually with a friend.

"What about Scarlett? The one who stayed with you for three years. What's she to you now?" The friend asked.

Adrian brushed off his sleeve carelessly, his tone indifferent.

"She's just a housekeeper. Why would she need any status?"

My mind went blank.

The gift box in my hands suddenly felt scalding hot.

So this was what my three years meant.

I took a deep breath, suppressing the dull ache in my chest, and walked into the ballroom.

The moment I steadied myself, a familiar yet strange figure appeared at the entrance.

Vivian.

Adrian's ex-fiancée, who had abandoned him three years ago.

The moment she appeared, the entire room fell silent. Contemptuous gazes landed on her without reservation.

Vivian's face went pale. She stood there helplessly, her eyes reddening.

Adrian cut through the crowd and walked straight toward her.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, he took her hand and pulled her to his side protectively.

From start to finish, he never glanced at me once.

I stood there, watching them become the center of attention, watching him shield her from all those hostile looks.

My heart grew colder by the inch.

Halfway through the party, I excused myself for fresh air and went to the terrace alone.

Soon I heard several women laughing mockingly behind me.

"Vivian, you really have some nerve. You left when you wanted, came back when you wanted. The moment Adrian recovered, you showed up. Your timing is impeccable."

Vivian's voice choked.

"You're misunderstanding..."

"Misunderstanding? Everyone knows how decisively you left back then."

Another sharp voice cut in.

"Coming back now, do you still think you're somebody?"

Several women surrounded her with cutting words.

That's when Adrian's icy voice rang out.

"Since when do any of you get to criticize my companion?"

He had appeared at some point and pulled Vivian protectively behind him.

The women's faces stiffened. They dispersed awkwardly.

Adrian looked down at Vivian crying in his arms, his eyes full of concern.

But when he looked up, his gaze turned cold as it landed on me.

"You were standing here the whole time?"

I froze, then nodded.

His eyes grew even colder.

"They were bullying her like that, and you just watched?"

I opened my mouth to explain I'd just arrived.

But he didn't give me the chance. The disgust in his tone was unconcealed.

"I almost forgot-you're both the same type of person. Scarlett, I never thought you'd be like this."

Baseless accusations.

I felt coldness creep from my feet, freezing my entire body.

"I didn't-"

"Enough!"

Adrian cut me off, supporting the trembling Vivian.

"Vivian, let's go."

He turned to leave. I instinctively stepped forward, trying to grab him.

"Adrian..."

My hand barely touched his sleeve before he violently shook it off.

"Don't touch me!"

The force was so strong I was thrown backward.

My forehead slammed hard against the sharp corner of a marble pillar.

Blood flowed down, blurring my vision.

The commotion startled Vivian. She rushed over, but when she saw the blood on my forehead, her face went pale. She let out a short, sharp scream.

She covered her mouth, breathing rapidly.

"Blood... Adrian, I can't handle blood. I feel sick..."

I struggled to stand, but all I saw was his resolute back.

Adrian didn't look back. He scooped up the swaying Vivian into his arms, his eyes full of anxiety.

"Don't be scared. I'll take you to the hospital right away."

He carried her and left without hesitation.

I leaned against the cold marble pillar and slid to the floor. Blood dripped onto my dress, spreading into dark red stains.

My phone rang. It was Adrian's mother.

I numbly answered, forgetting to wipe the blood from my face.

On the other end, her voice was gentle yet firm.

"Scarlett, thank you for these three years. But Adrian's wife must come from a distinguished family. You're wonderful, but not suitable."

"I've got you a full scholarship to the psychology master's program at Zurich University. There's twenty million on this card. Call it my personal compensation. Let's part on good terms. Just don't let him see you again."

Every word was like a knife piercing my heart.

I gazed at the distant lights and replied softly.

"Alright."

"I agree."

"I'll never appear before him again."