Chapter 4

The ring box hadn't been touched. That meant no one had come home since my accident.

I opened the box. Two beautiful matching rings lay inside, engraved with Celeste's and my initials.

An indescribable ache rose in my chest.

I snapped the box shut and tossed it into the trash, as casually as our relationship had been discarded.

I left with my suitcase. As the door closed behind me, the love I'd carried for Celeste for ten years was locked inside that apartment too.

After Celeste and Lester returned to the country, they plunged straight into work.

The two of them had started a company together, using my money.

The day Celeste received my breakup message, she smashed her phone, deleted me, blocked me, and never contacted me again.

At her desk, Celeste tapped a pen against the surface and asked her secretary casually, "Has Ryan come by?"

The secretary looked troubled.

"Ms. Quinn, Mr. Sheridan hasn't come at all. You've asked five times already."

Celeste frowned and dismissed the secretary. Then she gritted her teeth.

"Let's see how long you can keep pretending."

The urgent sound of high heels followed. Natalie Wells rushed into Celeste's office.

Natalie had been Celeste's and my college classmate. She had a good relationship with us both, and I owed much of my chance with Celeste to her matchmaking.

"Celeste, did you and Ryan have a fight?"

Celeste looked down at her documents and sneered.

"What fight? He'll come crawling back in a few days, just like always.

"Last time I took all his money to cover Lester's losses, he didn't dare say a word."

Natalie frowned, clearly disapproving.

"Celeste, you've gone too far."

She'd obviously seen Celeste's social media post from the island with Lester.

Celeste smiled carelessly, as if this were all a game.

"Ryan Sheridan is a spineless loser. He doesn't dare get mad at me. Ignore him for a few days and he'll be fine.

"Who I travel with is my business. Why would I put all my eggs in one basket named Ryan?"

Natalie's expression turned complicated. She studied Celeste for a moment before speaking carefully.

"Celeste, I saw Ryan shopping the other day. He went into the Riverside Villas with a woman."

Riverside Villas was a famous wealthy district in the city. Everyone who lived there had money and influence.

Celeste's smile froze. The pen slipped from her fingers and hit the desk with a sharp sound in the quiet office.

She laughed in disbelief.

"Are you joking? You must have seen wrong.

"How could it be Ryan? Ryan has loved me for so many years. How could he change his mind?"

Natalie said seriously, "I've known Ryan for years. I didn't see wrong. He loved you for so many years, but think about what you've done to him.

"You should really reflect on it."

After Natalie left, Celeste's face turned pale. She began calling me like a madwoman.

After blocking number after number, I finally answered one call in irritation.

"Miss Quinn, what do you want?"

Celeste's voice no longer held its usual calm arrogance. It trembled.

"Ryan, come home tonight. I have something to ask you."

At six that evening, I drove back to the apartment Celeste and I used to share.

It had once been our home, but now I didn't want to set foot in it at all.

When I entered, it was no longer cold and empty the way it had been before. Someone had cleaned it in advance.

Celeste had changed into sleepwear and was sitting on the sofa, waiting for me.

I found it almost funny. In the past, I was always the one who waited for her, wagging my tail in front of her.

"Ryan, did you cheat on me?"