Chapter 1

Julian looked at me like a heartbroken puppy.

A cold sweat broke out across my back.

He sighed, unable to stay mad at me.

"Tell me what you're unhappy with," he murmured. "I’ll change."

"If it’s money, I’ll take on another shift. If you don't like my face, I'll get more procedures done."

He buried his soft hair into my chest, his voice muffled and desperate.

"Just don't leave me. If you're really bored of me, I can change my look completely. We can start over from scratch, okay?"

The raw hope in his eyes stung and guilt washed over me.

Was I really that cruel?

I had treated him like a dog.

The first time I dumped him for being poor, he worked three jobs and bought me two cars just to win me back.

The second time I said he was getting old, he spent every penny he had on cosmetic treatments and personal trainers until I agreed to take him back.

I had taken his devotion for granted.

Every single time.

Tears blurred my vision. I was filled with remorse, but mostly, pure terror.

I had used up my third strike.

Now that he was heading back to inherit his family's fortune, he was definitely going to ruin me.

Julian saw me crying, and his voice began to shake.

"Don't cry, baby. If you really can't stand me... I... I can agree to the breakup..."

In the past, I would have told him to get out. I would have shoved him away just to hide my weakness.

But I was out of second chances. I couldn't risk throwing a tantrum anymore.

I timidly tugged at his sleeve. "Can we... not break up this time?

"If I said I’ve grown up and realized I need you, would you believe me?"

Julian froze. He nodded, completely dazed.

"Do you want to work out together tonight, then? I can finish my work early."

I shook my head wildly. "No! No, thank you!"

Our so-called workouts were just my cruel ways of torturing him.

I used to sit on his back while he did push-ups.

If he slacked off, I whipped him. I wouldn't even let his sweat touch my clothes.

I grabbed Julian’s face, forcing him to look me in the eye.

"Julian, whether you believe me or not, I'm going to treat you right from now on."

Julian smiled, his palm gently cupping the back of my head.

"As long as you don't leave me, anything you do is fine."

He kissed my forehead and walked into the bathroom, leaving me alone in the living room.

I slumped onto the couch.

Even though the breakup was off, I couldn't cheer up.

He was so good to me.

How could I have been such a monster?

Suddenly, bright floating text began to scroll rapidly across my vision.

“Wait, he just forgave her? That’s wrong!”

“The main female lead already showed up, he should be dumping her right now!”

“Don't panic! The main girl stayed up all night writing a step-by-step guide on how to win him over. She's taking him down tomorrow.”

“So what if the side character won't break up?”

“Once he reveals his real identity, he's destroying her whole family anyway. It's her destiny.”

My pupils shrank.

Destroy my family?

Did Julian hate me that much?

Tears spilled down my cheeks. I couldn't stop them.

How could I fix this?

Who was this other girl anyway?

This house is huge, can't all three of us just live together?!

Julian stepped out of the bathroom and wrapped his arms around me from behind.

"What's wrong? Did I make you upset again?"

"No," I lied frantically. "I just don't want to go to work tomorrow."

Julian let out a visible sigh of relief and chuckled.

"Then, tell your boss. Stay home and let me take care of you."

"Okay..."

"Actually, there's something I need to tell you..." Julian’s tone suddenly turned tense.

"What if... I... I lied to you about something?"

The air in front of me glitched and more floating text flooded my vision.

“Is he revealing his billionaire identity already?!”

“Where's the drama in that?!”

“He’s dropping the fake identity!”

“They HAVE to break up today so he can start the romance plot with the main girl tomorrow!”

Before Julian could say another word, I whipped around and clapped my hand over his mouth.

"Don't say it! I don't want to know. If you had lied to me, then you need to keep it a secret for the rest of your life!”