Chapter 1

"The last time you lost a game of Truth or Dare, you tricked Natalie for seven years.

"Now you've lost again—what is it this time? Are you finally going to marry your first love, Stella?"

I stood just outside the door, trying to keep my voice steady as I spoke with my mentor over the phone.

But the tears wouldn't stop falling.

The person on the other end sounded surprised. After all, I'd turned him down firmly just yesterday.

But when I found out that I'd been played like a fool, I realized that Charles Foster's love for me had never been real. It was all just a beautifully packaged lie.

I came home to pack, only to find the breakfast I'd made for him untouched on the table.

Charles was never a fan of the kind of breakfast I liked. He always said it was too heavy and greasy.

Every time I enjoyed mine, he'd glance over with this subtle look of disapproval. It always took a lot of coaxing—me playfully teasing or begging—just to get him to take a reluctant bite.

But earlier that day, I saw him eating with Stella Monroe in that private room.

I saw with my very own eyes that she was feeding him mini sliders and hash browns, and he looked absolutely delighted.

I overheard their conversation and finally learned that Stella loves greasy breakfasts.

The stuffed animals he said were childish, the desserts he claimed were too sweet, and the roses he said he never saw the point of…

They were all for Stella.

All the moments I thought he was happy with me turned out to be just an act. All the things he claimed to dislike—he just didn't want reminders of Stella.

I stood there, numb, until the sound of the front door jolted me back.

Charles stepped inside quietly. When he saw me crouched on the floor, folding clothes into a suitcase, he walked over and knelt beside me—just like he used to.

He pulled me into his arms as if nothing had changed. "What's all this? Are you going somewhere?"

I answered casually, "Just a performance. I have to travel for work."

He nodded and tightened his arms around me.

"Why are you leaving again? What am I going to do without you, Natalie? I don't think I can stay a day without you anymore. Let's get married."

His words hung in the air. My body trembled, though my lips stayed silent.

They were sweet words, but all I felt was a knot tightening in my chest.

I'd hinted how my friends were all getting married and settling down while I was still stuck in place.

But Charles always brushed it off impatiently. He'd pacify me afterward, saying he wanted to wait until he could give me a good life.

I waited for seven years.

When I didn't respond, Charles seemed a little thrown off. He wobbled to his feet, rubbed his temples, and looked down at me with pleading eyes.

"I've got a headache, Natalie… Can you make me your hangover soup?"

I looked up at him, but my eyes landed on the lipstick smudge on the collar of his white shirt.

My heart clenched so hard it physically hurt. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

Charles… How much longer are you going to keep pretending?

Once upon a time, I would've rushed to the kitchen without hesitation. I always worried about him, and I couldn't bear to see him suffer—not even a little.

But now? Now, all I could see was a liar.

Not wanting to be near Charles, I bolted for the bedroom, needing to escape.

I lay stiffly on the bed while Charles emerged from the shower in nothing but a white towel. He slid into bed and reached for me, pressing his warm body against mine, trying to kiss me.

I turned away.

He froze, feeling confused. After all, I usually gave in to everything he asked for.

Charles had depression. I was always worried the pressure was too much for him, so I tried to make him happy in every way I could.

Just then, his phone lit up suddenly. Before I could move, he pulled away from me to grab it.

He looked nervous—like there was something on it he didn't want me to see.

A sudden crack of thunder boomed outside, and I flinched violently. My whole body couldn't stop trembling.

However, Charles looked even more shaken than I was. He didn't even bother drying his hair as he rushed to turn on the lights, pulling me into his arms and gently patting my back.

"Don't be scared, Natalie. It's just thunder. I'm here, okay? As long as I'm here, no one can hurt you."

Really? No one could have hurt me… except you, Charles.

He slowly laid me down and climbed into bed beside me. I closed my eyes, pretended to fall asleep, and my breathing evened out in his arms.

Once he was sure I was asleep, he pulled the blanket over me and reached for his phone again.

The screen lit up several times. Then, a soft chuckle escaped his lips.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him smiling as he fired off several messages before finally leaving the room to dry his hair.

As soon as he left, another message popped up before vanishing in seconds.

But I had already seen it. "Charles, if I hadn't left you back then… would I be the one lying beside you now?

"I know your depression started after I walked away. I'm sorry. Can you give me another chance?"