Three years of sacrifice. A lifetime of lies. Vanessa Grant stood by Lucas Lowery when he had nothing, helping him build his empire from the dirt. She thought their upcoming wedding was her fairy tale ending—until she discovered he’d been cheating on her for two of those three years. To her face, he was a lover. Behind her back, he was a monster who mocked her loyalty. "She’s getting old," he sneered to his mistress. "Even the brightest rose fades. Who would want her besides me? She should be grateful I’m still willing to marry her." Fine. If I’m a fading rose, you’re the dirt I’m done growing in. Vanessa doesn't cry. She doesn't beg. She walks away, reclaiming her secret identity as the heiress to a fortune Lucas can only dream of. And to seal her revenge, she enters a marriage of convenience with the only man Lucas fears: Alistair Howard, the cold, untouchable king of the corporate world. When Lucas loses everything and realizes the "fading rose" was actually a diamond, he crawls back, kneeling at her doorstep in the rain. "Vanessa, I was wrong. I love you. Let’s get married." Before she can even look at him, a powerful arm winds around her waist. Alistair leans in, his breath hot against her ear, his eyes burning with possessive fire as he looks down at the pathetic man on the ground. "Careful now," Alistair purrs. "In this house, bigamy is a crime... and my wife is far too busy being mine."

Chapter 1On the eve of their wedding, Lucas Lowery vanished. Vanessa Grant searched every inch of Savannah, but he was nowhere to be found.Exhausted to her bones, she received an anonymous text message.[Mr. Lowery is in Southport.]A detailed location pin was attached below.Vanessa took a red-eye flight that very night.She found him at a high-end business club in Southport.The door was left slightly ajar. A man in a sharp suit sat in the center of the sofa, surrounded by people. His legs were elegantly crossed as he leaned back lazily, exhaling a cloud of smoke with practiced ease.A friend raised a glass. "Lucas, your wedding with Vanessa is in three days. Congratulations on bagging such a gorgeous bride!"Vanessa had heard that some men experienced severe pre-wedding jitters, needing time and space to process their anxiety.Perhaps Lucas was no different.A flicker of heartache had barely crossed her mind when she heard the man's cold, callous voice drift through the crack in the door."I only accepted her proposal back then because I was backed into a corner. Honestly, when I think about it, she offers absolutely zero help to my career. Sure, she's pretty, but look at the same flower long enough, and you're bound to get bored."Vanessa was already twenty-three. In a few years, her radiant complexion would fade, unable to compete with the vibrant, thrilling allure of an eighteen-year-old girl."You aren't planning to back out of the wedding, are you?""You can't spoil women! She had the nerve to force my hand, so I have to teach her a lesson. Otherwise, where's my breathing room after we get married?""You really know how to handle them. She's just an orphan with no family to fall back on. She's been by your side for three years, so there's no way she'd leave now that you've hit the big time."The friend glanced at the woman nestled beside Lucas, teasing, "With a stunning and capable confidante like Chloe right beside you, I wouldn't be able to let go either."Lucas turned his head and pressed a kiss to the young woman's luminous cheek, looking every bit the playboy. "If you're jealous, go find one yourself."Chloe Quinn nestled deeper into Lucas's embrace, shyly tapping his chest. "Stop it, you just love teasing me!"The two flirted openly, completely ignoring the room. The friends didn't even bat an eye, making it painfully obvious this wasn't the first time."Chloe, you've been with Lucas for so long. Haven't you thought about making it official?"Chloe gazed at Lucas with sweet affection and absolute adoration. "As long as I can be with Luke, I don't care about a title."Compared to Vanessa's forced proposal, Chloe seemed incredibly sweet and understanding.Lucas clearly reveled in the young woman's worshipful gaze.Catching a glimpse of the trembling figure at the door, Chloe's red lips curled into a smirk. She looped her slender arms around his neck, her voice honey-sweet. "Luke, is it really okay if you skip the wedding? What if Vanessa gets mad and breaks up with you...""She wouldn't dare! Who else would want her but me?" Lucas sounded utterly certain.The white smoke swirled around him, obscuring his handsome features.A suffocating wave of despair crashed over Vanessa, her blood running cold as if she had been plunged into icy water.Years ago, her father had arranged for her to join the Howard family. Unwilling to accept a dictated life and a cold, loveless marriage, she had packed her bags and run away in the middle of the night to seek true love.Who could have known that right after she rented her first apartment, she would be targeted by a group of thugs aiming to rob and assault her.At that critical moment, Lucas had appeared, saving her from the nightmare.The lean young man in a white shirt and black slacks had fought off three attackers. Ignoring his own bruises, he had softly comforted her terrified self.Weeping, she had tended to his wounds. When she found out he was looking for an apartment nearby, she had offered him her spare room for a fraction of the cost.Lucas was gentle, considerate, incredibly hardworking, and a fantastic cook. He took exceptional care of her.Over time, they naturally fell into a relationship.Aching to see him work so grueling a schedule, yet unwilling to bruise his pride, she had secretly arranged for a substantial investment to fund his startup dreams. He hadn't disappointed her, successfully taking Vortex Group public within three years.On the day the company went public, she had secretly booked an entire restaurant, bought a diamond ring, and proposed to him in front of everyone.She had thought he was just as ecstatic and thrilled as she was. But looking back at all the little details she had ignored... he never actually wanted to marry her. Instead, he saw her as forcing his hand.Vanessa pushed the door open and walked right in.The moment they saw her, the noisy private room fell dead silent.Lucas's cynical smirk vanished instantly. He frantically shoved Chloe out of his arms."Nessa, what are you doing here?"He stepped forward, reaching for her hand, but Vanessa took a step back, dodging his touch."If I hadn't come, how would I have heard how you truly feel?"Swallowing the lump in her throat, she stared straight at him with red-rimmed eyes. "If you didn't want to get married, you could have just told me. I would never force you."Lucas scrambled to explain. "It's not what you think. You misunderstood."He shot a look at his friends, and they filed out of the room one by one. Chloe lingered at the back, smirking provocatively as she brushed past her."You and Mr. Lowery have such a great relationship. Wherever he goes, you follow right behind..."Before she could finish, Vanessa raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face. "Who do you think you are? Do you really think you have any right to speak on what happens between him and me?"Chloe clutched her cheek, looking at Lucas with tear-filled eyes, playing the pitiful, fragile victim to perfection."Mr. Lowery...""Vanessa, if you're mad, take it out on me! Don't drag innocent people into this." Lucas's handsome face tightened as he instinctively stepped in front of Chloe, completely shielding her.The sight pierced Vanessa to her core. She clenched her trembling fingers, forcing a calm facade. "When did this start?"Lucas tugged at his tie, his voice laced with suppressed irritation. "We've been through three years together. Don't we even have the most basic trust?"It was precisely because she trusted him too much that she had never doubted him.A mocking glint flashed in her eyes as she let out a hollow laugh."Care to prove it?""How do you want me to prove it?""Fire her.""No. She hasn't made any professional mistakes. If I fire her, what would everyone else think?"Lucas blurted it out without a second thought. He gripped her shoulders, his voice dropping low. "Nessa, things are finally looking up for us. Could you stop being so paranoid? I'm working this hard for our future. Chloe and I are completely innocent. How can you drag a young girl's reputation through the mud for no reason?"His artificially raised pitch hid an undeniable guilt. The more defensive he got, the more obvious his lie became.Vanessa stared at him blankly. Listening to him shift the blame made her want to burst into hysterical laughter.A lying man was like a crumbling wall—no matter how much he tried to patch it, the cracks always showed.The young boy who used to look at her with stars in his eyes had long lost himself in the corporate grind. He had been tainted by worldly desires and had thoroughly betrayed her.Her gaze drifted for a split second before she swallowed her heartbreak. "Think whatever you want. Pick one."After all their years together, she wanted to give him one last chance.But Lucas ultimately let her down."I'm not going to indulge your madness and ruin an innocent person's life. Chloe is incredibly capable and has helped me a lot. Vortex Group needs her."Chloe...Such an affectionate nickname.Was it the company that needed her, or was it him?Vanessa suddenly lost all desire to interrogate him. It all felt so utterly pointless.Seeing her turn to leave, Lucas grabbed her arm, anger flaring in his eyes. "If you don't apologize right now, the wedding next week is off."Vanessa asked softly, "Do you honestly think there's any point in having it?"Ignoring whatever expression Lucas wore, she walked away without looking back.Once in her car, all her strength evaporated. The tears finally spilled over, weeping for three years of unreserved devotion that amounted to nothing.To hell with true love.On the way to the airport, she watched the neon lights blur past the window. Dialing a number she hadn't called in ages, she spoke softly, "Father, I regret my choice. I'll agree to the arranged marriage. Just give me a week to wrap things up here!"It was late into the night by the time she arrived in Savannah.Vanessa returned to the house and curled up on the sofa, crying silently as memories of their past flickered through her mind.This property in Clearwater Cove was bought with Lucas's very first major paycheck.He had purchased the twelve-hundred-square-foot home two years ago, putting the deed entirely in her name.Lucas had told her how grateful he was that she had stayed by his side when he had nothing. He swore that once he made it big, he would give her the world.He had even forcefully transferred half of his company's shares to her, completely ignoring her refusals.He had sworn to the stars that he would never betray her.But love was fleeting. He had cheated, shattering his vows into a million pieces.She didn't sleep a wink. It wasn't until the first light of dawn broke over the horizon that she finally moved her stiff body and began packing.She boxed up all of Lucas's belongings and shoved them into the storage room.She stripped the bed, replacing the sheets and pillowcases to scrub away every lingering trace of his scent, before finally collapsing into a heavy sleep.She didn't know how long she slept, but she jolted awake when she felt someone approach. A warm breath brushed against her ear."Nessa, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let my ego get the best of me yesterday. I only said those awful things to spite you."A cloyingly sweet perfume invaded her senses, triggering a violent physical reaction. She snapped her eyes open and shoved him away. Catching sight of the glaring red hickey peeking out from his collar, she gagged uncontrollably.He cheated out in the open and didn't even bother to clean up before crawling back.Was he just that arrogant, or did he honestly believe she could never live without him?Lucas's face stiffened for a fraction of a second before twisting into a mask of tender concern. "Are you feeling sick? Let me take you to the hospital.""Ugh..."Another wave of nausea hit her.Lucas looked furious, his lips pressed into a tight line. "I already fired Chloe. Nobody is going to interfere with our relationship ever again.""You actually let her go?" Vanessa looked up, her eyes dripping with sarcasm."She's just a meaningless assistant. Why wouldn't I?"Lucas pulled out a tissue and gently wiped the corner of her mouth, his voice taking on a coaxing tone. "Honey, please stop being mad at me, okay?"Vanessa wasn't buying a single word. She gave a scoff. "I'm not your wife, Mr. Lowery. Watch what you call me.""You will be next week.""If memory serves, didn't you threaten to call off the wedding?"Lucas frowned, his thin lips pressed together as he looked at her with exasperation. "How could you take my angry words seriously? You promised that as long as I apologized, you'd forgive me.""So you remember that. But I also remember you swearing that you'd never betray or fail me, or else you'd die utterly alone and cursed."Maybe when he made those toxic promises, Lucas really did love her. Maybe he had actually wanted to spend eternity with her.But that love had rotted away with time.Lucas's eyes darted away, his guilt preventing him from meeting her gaze. Right at that moment, his ringing phone saved him.He let out a breath of relief and pulled out his phone to check the screen."I have a meeting at noon. I'll come back later to cook for you."With that, he scrambled out of the room, practically fleeing the scene.Vanessa's lips curled up, a look of pure mockery flashing in her eyes....That afternoon, she called a real estate agent to list the house for sale.Afterward, she drove to the company.Over the past three years, she had occasionally dropped off lunch for Lucas. Everyone at the office knew her and knew they were tying the knot soon.It had been three months since her last visit.She took the elevator up, familiar with the route.The corridor leading to the executive office was lined with thick, plush carpet, deadening the sound of her heels completely.Her hand had barely touched the doorknob when a girl's breathy moans, paired with a man's ragged panting, filtered through the crack.Vanessa's fingers froze, the color completely draining from her face.Her eyes burned violently, yet she couldn't shed a single tear.Chapter 2On the eve of their wedding, Lucas Lowery vanished. Vanessa Grant searched every inch of Savannah, but he was nowhere to be found.Exhausted to her bones, she received an anonymous text message.[Mr. Lowery is in Southport.]A detailed location pin was attached below.Vanessa took a red-eye flight that very night.She found him at a high-end business club in Southport.The door was left slightly ajar. A man in a sharp suit sat in the center of the sofa, surrounded by people. His legs were elegantly crossed as he leaned back lazily, exhaling a cloud of smoke with practiced ease.A friend raised a glass. "Lucas, your wedding with Vanessa is in three days. Congratulations on bagging such a gorgeous bride!"Vanessa had heard that some men experienced severe pre-wedding jitters, needing time and space to process their anxiety.Perhaps Lucas was no different.A flicker of heartache had barely crossed her mind when she heard the man's cold, callous voice drift through the crack in the door."I only accepted her proposal back then because I was backed into a corner. Honestly, when I think about it, she offers absolutely zero help to my career. Sure, she's pretty, but look at the same flower long enough, and you're bound to get bored."Vanessa was already twenty-three. In a few years, her radiant complexion would fade, unable to compete with the vibrant, thrilling allure of an eighteen-year-old girl."You aren't planning to back out of the wedding, are you?""You can't spoil women! She had the nerve to force my hand, so I have to teach her a lesson. Otherwise, where's my breathing room after we get married?""You really know how to handle them. She's just an orphan with no family to fall back on. She's been by your side for three years, so there's no way she'd leave now that you've hit the big time."The friend glanced at the woman nestled beside Lucas, teasing, "With a stunning and capable confidante like Chloe right beside you, I wouldn't be able to let go either."Lucas turned his head and pressed a kiss to the young woman's luminous cheek, looking every bit the playboy. "If you're jealous, go find one yourself."Chloe Quinn nestled deeper into Lucas's embrace, shyly tapping his chest. "Stop it, you just love teasing me!"The two flirted openly, completely ignoring the room. The friends didn't even bat an eye, making it painfully obvious this wasn't the first time."Chloe, you've been with Lucas for so long. Haven't you thought about making it official?"Chloe gazed at Lucas with sweet affection and absolute adoration. "As long as I can be with Luke, I don't care about a title."Compared to Vanessa's forced proposal, Chloe seemed incredibly sweet and understanding.Lucas clearly reveled in the young woman's worshipful gaze.Catching a glimpse of the trembling figure at the door, Chloe's red lips curled into a smirk. She looped her slender arms around his neck, her voice honey-sweet. "Luke, is it really okay if you skip the wedding? What if Vanessa gets mad and breaks up with you...""She wouldn't dare! Who else would want her but me?" Lucas sounded utterly certain.The white smoke swirled around him, obscuring his handsome features.A suffocating wave of despair crashed over Vanessa, her blood running cold as if she had been plunged into icy water.Years ago, her father had arranged for her to join the Howard family. Unwilling to accept a dictated life and a cold, loveless marriage, she had packed her bags and run away in the middle of the night to seek true love.Who could have known that right after she rented her first apartment, she would be targeted by a group of thugs aiming to rob and assault her.At that critical moment, Lucas had appeared, saving her from the nightmare.The lean young man in a white shirt and black slacks had fought off three attackers. Ignoring his own bruises, he had softly comforted her terrified self.Weeping, she had tended to his wounds. When she found out he was looking for an apartment nearby, she had offered him her spare room for a fraction of the cost.Lucas was gentle, considerate, incredibly hardworking, and a fantastic cook. He took exceptional care of her.Over time, they naturally fell into a relationship.Aching to see him work so grueling a schedule, yet unwilling to bruise his pride, she had secretly arranged for a substantial investment to fund his startup dreams. He hadn't disappointed her, successfully taking Vortex Group public within three years.On the day the company went public, she had secretly booked an entire restaurant, bought a diamond ring, and proposed to him in front of everyone.She had thought he was just as ecstatic and thrilled as she was. But looking back at all the little details she had ignored... he never actually wanted to marry her. Instead, he saw her as forcing his hand.Vanessa pushed the door open and walked right in.The moment they saw her, the noisy private room fell dead silent.Lucas's cynical smirk vanished instantly. He frantically shoved Chloe out of his arms."Nessa, what are you doing here?"He stepped forward, reaching for her hand, but Vanessa took a step back, dodging his touch."If I hadn't come, how would I have heard how you truly feel?"Swallowing the lump in her throat, she stared straight at him with red-rimmed eyes. "If you didn't want to get married, you could have just told me. I would never force you."Lucas scrambled to explain. "It's not what you think. You misunderstood."He shot a look at his friends, and they filed out of the room one by one. Chloe lingered at the back, smirking provocatively as she brushed past her."You and Mr. Lowery have such a great relationship. Wherever he goes, you follow right behind..."Before she could finish, Vanessa raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face. "Who do you think you are? Do you really think you have any right to speak on what happens between him and me?"Chloe clutched her cheek, looking at Lucas with tear-filled eyes, playing the pitiful, fragile victim to perfection."Mr. Lowery...""Vanessa, if you're mad, take it out on me! Don't drag innocent people into this." Lucas's handsome face tightened as he instinctively stepped in front of Chloe, completely shielding her.The sight pierced Vanessa to her core. She clenched her trembling fingers, forcing a calm facade. "When did this start?"Lucas tugged at his tie, his voice laced with suppressed irritation. "We've been through three years together. Don't we even have the most basic trust?"It was precisely because she trusted him too much that she had never doubted him.A mocking glint flashed in her eyes as she let out a hollow laugh."Care to prove it?""How do you want me to prove it?""Fire her.""No. She hasn't made any professional mistakes. If I fire her, what would everyone else think?"Lucas blurted it out without a second thought. He gripped her shoulders, his voice dropping low. "Nessa, things are finally looking up for us. Could you stop being so paranoid? I'm working this hard for our future. Chloe and I are completely innocent. How can you drag a young girl's reputation through the mud for no reason?"His artificially raised pitch hid an undeniable guilt. The more defensive he got, the more obvious his lie became.Vanessa stared at him blankly. Listening to him shift the blame made her want to burst into hysterical laughter.A lying man was like a crumbling wall—no matter how much he tried to patch it, the cracks always showed.The young boy who used to look at her with stars in his eyes had long lost himself in the corporate grind. He had been tainted by worldly desires and had thoroughly betrayed her.Her gaze drifted for a split second before she swallowed her heartbreak. "Think whatever you want. Pick one."After all their years together, she wanted to give him one last chance.But Lucas ultimately let her down."I'm not going to indulge your madness and ruin an innocent person's life. Chloe is incredibly capable and has helped me a lot. Vortex Group needs her."Chloe...Such an affectionate nickname.Was it the company that needed her, or was it him?Vanessa suddenly lost all desire to interrogate him. It all felt so utterly pointless.Seeing her turn to leave, Lucas grabbed her arm, anger flaring in his eyes. "If you don't apologize right now, the wedding next week is off."Vanessa asked softly, "Do you honestly think there's any point in having it?"Ignoring whatever expression Lucas wore, she walked away without looking back.Once in her car, all her strength evaporated. The tears finally spilled over, weeping for three years of unreserved devotion that amounted to nothing.To hell with true love.On the way to the airport, she watched the neon lights blur past the window. Dialing a number she hadn't called in ages, she spoke softly, "Father, I regret my choice. I'll agree to the arranged marriage. Just give me a week to wrap things up here!"It was late into the night by the time she arrived in Savannah.Vanessa returned to the house and curled up on the sofa, crying silently as memories of their past flickered through her mind.This property in Clearwater Cove was bought with Lucas's very first major paycheck.He had purchased the twelve-hundred-square-foot home two years ago, putting the deed entirely in her name.Lucas had told her how grateful he was that she had stayed by his side when he had nothing. He swore that once he made it big, he would give her the world.He had even forcefully transferred half of his company's shares to her, completely ignoring her refusals.He had sworn to the stars that he would never betray her.But love was fleeting. He had cheated, shattering his vows into a million pieces.She didn't sleep a wink. It wasn't until the first light of dawn broke over the horizon that she finally moved her stiff body and began packing.She boxed up all of Lucas's belongings and shoved them into the storage room.She stripped the bed, replacing the sheets and pillowcases to scrub away every lingering trace of his scent, before finally collapsing into a heavy sleep.She didn't know how long she slept, but she jolted awake when she felt someone approach. A warm breath brushed against her ear."Nessa, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let my ego get the best of me yesterday. I only said those awful things to spite you."A cloyingly sweet perfume invaded her senses, triggering a violent physical reaction. She snapped her eyes open and shoved him away. Catching sight of the glaring red hickey peeking out from his collar, she gagged uncontrollably.He cheated out in the open and didn't even bother to clean up before crawling back.Was he just that arrogant, or did he honestly believe she could never live without him?Lucas's face stiffened for a fraction of a second before twisting into a mask of tender concern. "Are you feeling sick? Let me take you to the hospital.""Ugh..."Another wave of nausea hit her.Lucas looked furious, his lips pressed into a tight line. "I already fired Chloe. Nobody is going to interfere with our relationship ever again.""You actually let her go?" Vanessa looked up, her eyes dripping with sarcasm."She's just a meaningless assistant. Why wouldn't I?"Lucas pulled out a tissue and gently wiped the corner of her mouth, his voice taking on a coaxing tone. "Honey, please stop being mad at me, okay?"Vanessa wasn't buying a single word. She gave a scoff. "I'm not your wife, Mr. Lowery. Watch what you call me.""You will be next week.""If memory serves, didn't you threaten to call off the wedding?"Lucas frowned, his thin lips pressed together as he looked at her with exasperation. "How could you take my angry words seriously? You promised that as long as I apologized, you'd forgive me.""So you remember that. But I also remember you swearing that you'd never betray or fail me, or else you'd die utterly alone and cursed."Maybe when he made those toxic promises, Lucas really did love her. Maybe he had actually wanted to spend eternity with her.But that love had rotted away with time.Lucas's eyes darted away, his guilt preventing him from meeting her gaze. Right at that moment, his ringing phone saved him.He let out a breath of relief and pulled out his phone to check the screen."I have a meeting at noon. I'll come back later to cook for you."With that, he scrambled out of the room, practically fleeing the scene.Vanessa's lips curled up, a look of pure mockery flashing in her eyes....That afternoon, she called a real estate agent to list the house for sale.Afterward, she drove to the company.Over the past three years, she had occasionally dropped off lunch for Lucas. Everyone at the office knew her and knew they were tying the knot soon.It had been three months since her last visit.She took the elevator up, familiar with the route.The corridor leading to the executive office was lined with thick, plush carpet, deadening the sound of her heels completely.Her hand had barely touched the doorknob when a girl's breathy moans, paired with a man's ragged panting, filtered through the crack.Vanessa's fingers froze, the color completely draining from her face.Her eyes burned violently, yet she couldn't shed a single tear.Chapter 3On the eve of their wedding, Lucas Lowery vanished. Vanessa Grant searched every inch of Savannah, but he was nowhere to be found.Exhausted to her bones, she received an anonymous text message.[Mr. Lowery is in Southport.]A detailed location pin was attached below.Vanessa took a red-eye flight that very night.She found him at a high-end business club in Southport.The door was left slightly ajar. A man in a sharp suit sat in the center of the sofa, surrounded by people. His legs were elegantly crossed as he leaned back lazily, exhaling a cloud of smoke with practiced ease.A friend raised a glass. "Lucas, your wedding with Vanessa is in three days. Congratulations on bagging such a gorgeous bride!"Vanessa had heard that some men experienced severe pre-wedding jitters, needing time and space to process their anxiety.Perhaps Lucas was no different.A flicker of heartache had barely crossed her mind when she heard the man's cold, callous voice drift through the crack in the door."I only accepted her proposal back then because I was backed into a corner. Honestly, when I think about it, she offers absolutely zero help to my career. Sure, she's pretty, but look at the same flower long enough, and you're bound to get bored."Vanessa was already twenty-three. In a few years, her radiant complexion would fade, unable to compete with the vibrant, thrilling allure of an eighteen-year-old girl."You aren't planning to back out of the wedding, are you?""You can't spoil women! She had the nerve to force my hand, so I have to teach her a lesson. Otherwise, where's my breathing room after we get married?""You really know how to handle them. She's just an orphan with no family to fall back on. She's been by your side for three years, so there's no way she'd leave now that you've hit the big time."The friend glanced at the woman nestled beside Lucas, teasing, "With a stunning and capable confidante like Chloe right beside you, I wouldn't be able to let go either."Lucas turned his head and pressed a kiss to the young woman's luminous cheek, looking every bit the playboy. "If you're jealous, go find one yourself."Chloe Quinn nestled deeper into Lucas's embrace, shyly tapping his chest. "Stop it, you just love teasing me!"The two flirted openly, completely ignoring the room. The friends didn't even bat an eye, making it painfully obvious this wasn't the first time."Chloe, you've been with Lucas for so long. Haven't you thought about making it official?"Chloe gazed at Lucas with sweet affection and absolute adoration. "As long as I can be with Luke, I don't care about a title."Compared to Vanessa's forced proposal, Chloe seemed incredibly sweet and understanding.Lucas clearly reveled in the young woman's worshipful gaze.Catching a glimpse of the trembling figure at the door, Chloe's red lips curled into a smirk. She looped her slender arms around his neck, her voice honey-sweet. "Luke, is it really okay if you skip the wedding? What if Vanessa gets mad and breaks up with you...""She wouldn't dare! Who else would want her but me?" Lucas sounded utterly certain.The white smoke swirled around him, obscuring his handsome features.A suffocating wave of despair crashed over Vanessa, her blood running cold as if she had been plunged into icy water.Years ago, her father had arranged for her to join the Howard family. Unwilling to accept a dictated life and a cold, loveless marriage, she had packed her bags and run away in the middle of the night to seek true love.Who could have known that right after she rented her first apartment, she would be targeted by a group of thugs aiming to rob and assault her.At that critical moment, Lucas had appeared, saving her from the nightmare.The lean young man in a white shirt and black slacks had fought off three attackers. Ignoring his own bruises, he had softly comforted her terrified self.Weeping, she had tended to his wounds. When she found out he was looking for an apartment nearby, she had offered him her spare room for a fraction of the cost.Lucas was gentle, considerate, incredibly hardworking, and a fantastic cook. He took exceptional care of her.Over time, they naturally fell into a relationship.Aching to see him work so grueling a schedule, yet unwilling to bruise his pride, she had secretly arranged for a substantial investment to fund his startup dreams. He hadn't disappointed her, successfully taking Vortex Group public within three years.On the day the company went public, she had secretly booked an entire restaurant, bought a diamond ring, and proposed to him in front of everyone.She had thought he was just as ecstatic and thrilled as she was. But looking back at all the little details she had ignored... he never actually wanted to marry her. Instead, he saw her as forcing his hand.Vanessa pushed the door open and walked right in.The moment they saw her, the noisy private room fell dead silent.Lucas's cynical smirk vanished instantly. He frantically shoved Chloe out of his arms."Nessa, what are you doing here?"He stepped forward, reaching for her hand, but Vanessa took a step back, dodging his touch."If I hadn't come, how would I have heard how you truly feel?"Swallowing the lump in her throat, she stared straight at him with red-rimmed eyes. "If you didn't want to get married, you could have just told me. I would never force you."Lucas scrambled to explain. "It's not what you think. You misunderstood."He shot a look at his friends, and they filed out of the room one by one. Chloe lingered at the back, smirking provocatively as she brushed past her."You and Mr. Lowery have such a great relationship. Wherever he goes, you follow right behind..."Before she could finish, Vanessa raised her hand and slapped her hard across the face. "Who do you think you are? Do you really think you have any right to speak on what happens between him and me?"Chloe clutched her cheek, looking at Lucas with tear-filled eyes, playing the pitiful, fragile victim to perfection."Mr. Lowery...""Vanessa, if you're mad, take it out on me! Don't drag innocent people into this." Lucas's handsome face tightened as he instinctively stepped in front of Chloe, completely shielding her.The sight pierced Vanessa to her core. She clenched her trembling fingers, forcing a calm facade. "When did this start?"Lucas tugged at his tie, his voice laced with suppressed irritation. "We've been through three years together. Don't we even have the most basic trust?"It was precisely because she trusted him too much that she had never doubted him.A mocking glint flashed in her eyes as she let out a hollow laugh."Care to prove it?""How do you want me to prove it?""Fire her.""No. She hasn't made any professional mistakes. If I fire her, what would everyone else think?"Lucas blurted it out without a second thought. He gripped her shoulders, his voice dropping low. "Nessa, things are finally looking up for us. Could you stop being so paranoid? I'm working this hard for our future. Chloe and I are completely innocent. How can you drag a young girl's reputation through the mud for no reason?"His artificially raised pitch hid an undeniable guilt. The more defensive he got, the more obvious his lie became.Vanessa stared at him blankly. Listening to him shift the blame made her want to burst into hysterical laughter.A lying man was like a crumbling wall—no matter how much he tried to patch it, the cracks always showed.The young boy who used to look at her with stars in his eyes had long lost himself in the corporate grind. He had been tainted by worldly desires and had thoroughly betrayed her.Her gaze drifted for a split second before she swallowed her heartbreak. "Think whatever you want. Pick one."After all their years together, she wanted to give him one last chance.But Lucas ultimately let her down."I'm not going to indulge your madness and ruin an innocent person's life. Chloe is incredibly capable and has helped me a lot. Vortex Group needs her."Chloe...Such an affectionate nickname.Was it the company that needed her, or was it him?Vanessa suddenly lost all desire to interrogate him. It all felt so utterly pointless.Seeing her turn to leave, Lucas grabbed her arm, anger flaring in his eyes. "If you don't apologize right now, the wedding next week is off."Vanessa asked softly, "Do you honestly think there's any point in having it?"Ignoring whatever expression Lucas wore, she walked away without looking back.Once in her car, all her strength evaporated. The tears finally spilled over, weeping for three years of unreserved devotion that amounted to nothing.To hell with true love.On the way to the airport, she watched the neon lights blur past the window. Dialing a number she hadn't called in ages, she spoke softly, "Father, I regret my choice. I'll agree to the arranged marriage. Just give me a week to wrap things up here!"It was late into the night by the time she arrived in Savannah.Vanessa returned to the house and curled up on the sofa, crying silently as memories of their past flickered through her mind.This property in Clearwater Cove was bought with Lucas's very first major paycheck.He had purchased the twelve-hundred-square-foot home two years ago, putting the deed entirely in her name.Lucas had told her how grateful he was that she had stayed by his side when he had nothing. He swore that once he made it big, he would give her the world.He had even forcefully transferred half of his company's shares to her, completely ignoring her refusals.He had sworn to the stars that he would never betray her.But love was fleeting. He had cheated, shattering his vows into a million pieces.She didn't sleep a wink. It wasn't until the first light of dawn broke over the horizon that she finally moved her stiff body and began packing.She boxed up all of Lucas's belongings and shoved them into the storage room.She stripped the bed, replacing the sheets and pillowcases to scrub away every lingering trace of his scent, before finally collapsing into a heavy sleep.She didn't know how long she slept, but she jolted awake when she felt someone approach. A warm breath brushed against her ear."Nessa, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have let my ego get the best of me yesterday. I only said those awful things to spite you."A cloyingly sweet perfume invaded her senses, triggering a violent physical reaction. She snapped her eyes open and shoved him away. Catching sight of the glaring red hickey peeking out from his collar, she gagged uncontrollably.He cheated out in the open and didn't even bother to clean up before crawling back.Was he just that arrogant, or did he honestly believe she could never live without him?Lucas's face stiffened for a fraction of a second before twisting into a mask of tender concern. "Are you feeling sick? Let me take you to the hospital.""Ugh..."Another wave of nausea hit her.Lucas looked furious, his lips pressed into a tight line. "I already fired Chloe. Nobody is going to interfere with our relationship ever again.""You actually let her go?" Vanessa looked up, her eyes dripping with sarcasm."She's just a meaningless assistant. Why wouldn't I?"Lucas pulled out a tissue and gently wiped the corner of her mouth, his voice taking on a coaxing tone. "Honey, please stop being mad at me, okay?"Vanessa wasn't buying a single word. She gave a scoff. "I'm not your wife, Mr. Lowery. Watch what you call me.""You will be next week.""If memory serves, didn't you threaten to call off the wedding?"Lucas frowned, his thin lips pressed together as he looked at her with exasperation. "How could you take my angry words seriously? You promised that as long as I apologized, you'd forgive me.""So you remember that. But I also remember you swearing that you'd never betray or fail me, or else you'd die utterly alone and cursed."Maybe when he made those toxic promises, Lucas really did love her. Maybe he had actually wanted to spend eternity with her.But that love had rotted away with time.Lucas's eyes darted away, his guilt preventing him from meeting her gaze. Right at that moment, his ringing phone saved him.He let out a breath of relief and pulled out his phone to check the screen."I have a meeting at noon. I'll come back later to cook for you."With that, he scrambled out of the room, practically fleeing the scene.Vanessa's lips curled up, a look of pure mockery flashing in her eyes....That afternoon, she called a real estate agent to list the house for sale.Afterward, she drove to the company.Over the past three years, she had occasionally dropped off lunch for Lucas. Everyone at the office knew her and knew they were tying the knot soon.It had been three months since her last visit.She took the elevator up, familiar with the route.The corridor leading to the executive office was lined with thick, plush carpet, deadening the sound of her heels completely.Her hand had barely touched the doorknob when a girl's breathy moans, paired with a man's ragged panting, filtered through the crack.Vanessa's fingers froze, the color completely draining from her face.Her eyes burned violently, yet she couldn't shed a single tear.