Chapter 1

I stood at the entrance of the dimly lit VIP room, my phone in hand. My eyes locked on Shawn Turner as he gently traced the girl's jawline with his fingertip, like someone playing with a kitten.

The girl responded with a flirtatious giggle, acting completely docile.

They were quite the pair—one was my childhood sweetheart who had been discussing marriage with me, and the other was a struggling student I had financially supported through school.

Inside the room, several of Shawn's close friends were lounging around.

Noticing Shawn's relaxed demeanor, they teased him, "Man, Shawn, you really know how to live it up. You've got that gorgeous Rowena waiting at home, and here you are with another beauty."

"Shawn, won't Rowena flip out if she finds out about this?" one of them asked.

Shawn remained completely unfazed, merely clicking his tongue. "Rowena? Yeah, she might be a bit of a hassle, but she'll just throw a little tantrum. That's all."

His best friend, Zachary Moore, chuckled. "That's true! Rowena loves you so much. Even if she does get upset, you'll calm herself down in no time."

Shawn played with his lighter, his tone casual and dismissive as he said, "She can't live without me."

His confidence was overwhelming, and I realized I was probably the one who had given him that assurance. I glanced down at the diamond ring in my hand, the one I had planned to use to propose to him.

Suddenly, it felt meaningless. I could not help but think bitterly that the past ten years of my life would have been spent better raising a dog.

Back when we were kids, Shawn would always tell me, "Nana, we're going to get married when we grow up, so you have to stay by my side forever. Don't you ever leave me."

That single promise had kept me by his side for ten years. From 15 to 25 years old, from my first crush to my current mature self, I had revolved my life around him.

He had transformed from a jealous teenager who would get upset over love letters in my backpack to a man who now claimed he was bored with me.

However, he never realized something—I did not need him. I only needed a capable man to have a child with and carry on the Iverson family legacy.

As I turned to leave, Zachary's sharp eyes caught me. "OMG! Rowena? What are you doing here?"

That single exclamation drew everyone's attention to me.

Shawn looked at me, too, but he did not release the girl in his arms. He maintained that subtle smirk with an inexplicable certainty—sure that I would be heartbroken over him and that in this relationship, I was the one desperately seeking his approval.

I had initially planned to leave quietly, but I changed my mind when I saw the smug look on his face. I stepped into the room and walked straight to Shawn.

The young girl in his arms noticed me and timidly called out, "Rowena..."

I let my gaze linger on her for a moment before asking with feigned confusion, "And you are?"

Blair Newman froze for a moment, seemingly embarrassed. Then, she pressed herself closer to Shawn, mumbling, "Mr. Turner..."

"Just kidding. I remember you," I suddenly said with a light laugh. "You're that shameless woman I sponsored right into my boyfriend's arms."