Chapter 1

My parents’ delighted voices filled my ear.

“It’s good that you finally figured things out, Jon. No matter how good Ellis is, she’s ten years older than you. People will always talk.

“Do you remember the youngest daughter of the Fallstars? She’s your age and has been waiting for you!”

“I understand. Go ahead and prepare for the wedding. I’ll be there in three days.”

After hanging up, I drew several deep breaths, steadying myself for a long moment before opening the door and walking inside.

The moment I stepped in, a glass of red wine splashed across my face, followed by a shrill scream.

I lifted my gaze and met Ellis Stewart’s eyes from the sofa.

“Sorry, Sandra thought it was some creep breaking in. She didn’t mean it. You’re not mad, are you?”

Her tone sounded apologetic, yet the faint lift at the corner of her lips and the satisfied gleam in her eyes revealed her pleasant mood.

To everyone’s shock, I flung the red wine back at Sandra Band, and the scattered droplets stained Ellis’s beloved white dress.

Ellis’s displeased gaze settled on me.

“I already apologized on Sandra’s behalf.

“Don’t take my affection for granted and just do whatever you want.”

Affection?

Ellis’s so-called affection had always been her way of toying with me, watching me humiliate myself for her amusement.

She had once left me in the mountains, where I struggled for three days to survive and barely returned alive, while my right leg was left permanently injured.

When I delivered medicine to her in a storm and was drenched until my lungs became infected, she vanished without a trace.

Even a romantic confession I had prepared with care had been delayed again and again under the excuse of traffic.

Seeing how tightly I pressed my lips together, refusing to break, Ellis frowned.

“Forget it. I won’t hold it against you this time. Anyway, where’s the ring?

“You spent all night in the lake looking for it—did you still not find it?”

“No,” I said simply.

I had already thrown it into the trash.

Just as she prepared to question me further, a large man leaned down and whispered to her.

Ellis’s expression immediately brightened, and she dismissed me with a wave.

Avoiding everyone’s gaze in the private room, I limped away.

Someone snickered behind me.

Swallowing my tears, I quickened my pace.

Only a few meters away, Ellis stood with her arm entwined with a man’s.

His features bore an uncanny resemblance to Gregory Ford—only much younger.

My heart skipped violently, and before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face.

Ellis loved Gregory so fiercely that she didn’t hesitate to keep her sidepiece.

She even loved him enough to spend all these years taking revenge on me.

On my way back, my phone buzzed with a sudden call from the hospital.

“Mr. Maxwell? Miss Stewart is injured—please come quickly!”

When I arrived, Ellis lay on the hospital bed with a cast on her arm.

When she saw me, she eagerly introduced the man beside her.

“I was attacked on my way back. Russell saved me. I plan to keep him by my side as my assistant.”

There was an electric undercurrent in the way the two exchanged glances.

In the past, I would have been jealous and opposed it.

But now that I knew the truth, I felt nothing of the sort.

When I nodded, Ellis looked momentarily surprised.

Russell Grant was the one who stepped forward to greet me.

Halfway through, I found an excuse to leave.

The moment the door closed, Sandra’s laughter drifted through the crack, full of pride.

“Wasn’t my idea great? With Russell by your side, Jonathan does not dare challenge you!

“Just make sure that injury looks real. Take good care of her, Russell.”

Their cheerful voices continued inside, but I no longer had the heart to listen.

Pressing a hand to my tight chest, I hurried to the restroom.

As I washed my hands, a figure blocked my path.

I looked up into Russell’s mocking eyes.

“I heard you’re the one who clung to Miss Stewart for three years. Still desperate for her affection, huh?”