Chapter 1 999 Days

The photos were not just of birthday cakes. There were cakes from anniversaries, Valentine's Day, New Year's Eve, and other occasions too.

The last photo showed a cake with "999 days" written across it.

I stared at it for a long time.

So by our third year of being long-distance, Dawson already had someone else.

He always told me, "Hazel, be patient. Work keeps me busy, and seeing each other costs money. If we save what we can, we can get married sooner."

I felt sorry for him, so I swallowed every bit of hurt and agreed. That was why we had been seeing and talking to each other less and less.

All along, he had been spending that time with another woman.

I gripped the edge of the table, forcing down the bitterness and anger rising in my chest.

The girl did not notice anything strange. With a bright smile, she introduced herself. "Lynn Jackson."

Then she continued, "What a coincidence. It's your birthday today, too? I reserved the best revolving restaurant in Riverport. If you don't mind, why don't we celebrate together?"

My thoughts were a mess, but somehow, I nodded.

I could not let it go without seeing Dawson with my own eyes.

The elevator took us up to the 49th floor. The restaurant offered a sweeping view of Riverport.

"Have a seat. I need a little time to get everything ready. Dawson went all out for me over New Year's and Valentine's Day, so I want to prepare a little surprise for him, too."

I smiled and answered her, even as my heart ached.

Dawson had always told me he did not care about all those random holidays. In the ten years we had been together, we had only celebrated each other's birthdays.

But he had made an exception for someone else.

"They're so sweet. They really love each other." Lynn's friend looked envious.

"You have no idea. The first money Mr. Reed made from his startup, he spent it all on a diamond necklace for Lynn. It cost more than $900,000. Every year on Lynn's birthday, he arranges fireworks all over the city. He spends a fortune just to make her smile."

My breath caught.

So it seemed that Dawson had lied to me. He had told me starting his company was difficult and that he was barely making any money.

I worked overtime day and night, always finding excuses to send him money because I was afraid he was not doing well.

Last year, on my birthday, Dawson said he could not get away. All he did was have a small, cheap cake delivered to me.

I ate every bite, then recorded a short video and sent it to him.

"Look, I'm eating cake. It's almost like we're celebrating my birthday together. My wish is that we can end this long-distance relationship as soon as possible and finally live together."

He did not reply until the next day. "Good. You're such a thoughtful girl, Hazel."

Lynn took out a stack of small photos and began attaching them to the ribbons hanging down from the cake.

"Are you celebrating your birthday by yourself? Your boyfriend isn't here with you?"

My eyes moved across the photos.

Every single one showed Lynn and Dawson together, smiling and in love.

There was one of them kissing with their eyes closed, another with Dawson carrying her in his arms, and another with her perched on one of his shoulders.

"We're long-distance. I kept it from him because I wanted to surprise him."

I looked steadily at Lynn. "I've decided to move to his city and propose to him. I want to end the long-distance relationship."

After graduation, Dawson had chosen to stay in Riverport and start his own business. My father had fallen seriously ill, so I'd gone back home to work and take care of my parents.

He always told me to wait.

Wait until his business took off, and he would marry me.

Wait until his company was stable, and we would end the long-distance relationship and move to my city.

Once he had enough money, he could work from either city and travel back and forth.

I had never doubted Dawson's love for me. So as soon as my parents' health stabilized, I went straight to him.

If he was willing to travel back and forth for me, I could do the same for him.

Who could have imagined I would end up in a situation like this?

"Is that so? Then you must really love him."

Lynn's smile never faltered. "But a woman proposing to a man just isn't a good look. A man who truly loves you wouldn't wait for you to make the first move."

Before I could say anything, her friend suddenly gasped. "Lynn, get ready. Mr. Reed just got downstairs!"