Chapter 2

When I got back to my apartment, I sat on the sofa for a long time.

I couldn't understand how love could change so quickly.

Lars was once the man who would hold my hand through any storm. Now, he looked at Pearl with the same affection he once had for me.

Every time I questioned him about what was happening between them, he would simply say, "You're overthinking. She's just a childhood friend, and I'm just… I'm just used to looking after her."

And… I believed him every time.

I used to have absolute faith that Lars loved me.

That was, until one fateful night.

Lars got drunk, and I went to pick him up at a private club in Riverton's old district. One of his old friends was drunk too, and let something slip in front of me.

"Lars liked Pearl even before he came to Eastwind City from Vitalus. The reason he pursued you is because of your smile… It looks just like Pearl's. He's with you because Pearl turned him down back then. But don't worry, the rest of us have talked to him. We told him to treat you right. After all, you've been with him for so many years… But you have to understand something, too. It's not that easy to let go. They're childhood sweethearts, after all..."

Beep… Beep… Beep…

It wasn't until the kitchen timer went off that I was pulled back into reality and out of my reminiscence.

The medicine bottle lay in front of me, unopened. It was prescribed for my stomach pains.

I took out a pill and washed it down my throat with warm water. My stomach was aching, and I could hardly hold back the pain.

I got up and looked around the home I had designed and decorated myself. Then, I put down a clear mark on the calendar.

Fourteen days left before I leave this city.

With that, I started packing my things.

This home would become that woman's belonging eventually. I didn't want her to touch a single thing of mine—not even a hairpin.

As I soaked in the tub later that night, I scrolled through my phone and saw Pearl's latest Instagram update.

[By day, he's a stern CEO. By night, he lines up to buy cake for me. He said he wants to make up for all the years he missed. So happy!]

She posted a photo of a blueberry cake. While holding the cake, I spotted a familiar watch on her wrist. It was Lars' watch—I knew, because I had a matching pair.

That year, we managed to pull off a merger on the East Coast that startled the financial world. Lars didn't sleep for four nights in a row. I stayed by his side until we signed the contract that put Midas Capital on the map.

The same night the project ended, he took me to a luxury watch store on Fifth Avenue. He forced himself to stay awake and bought us a matching pair of watches.

I told him it was too expensive, but he put it on my wrist anyway.

"Bianca, I must be the one to give you everything you love."

He never took that watch off.

Back then, everyone knew that Lars loved me.

But now… Everything was so ridiculous.

No one knew that all those loving looks weren't meant for me. He was just using me to reminisce about someone else.

I let out a long sigh and took off my watch. Then, I snapped a photo of it and put it up for sale online for one dollar. No returns, no exchanges.

Lars didn't come home that night, either.

I slept until noon the next day. Still exhausted, I dragged myself to Midas Capital headquarters for my resignation.

Over the past two years, as the company stabilized, I stepped back from the core management and focused instead on the design and art direction.

Unexpectedly, as soon as I entered the design department, a few old colleagues stopped to congratulate me.

I was puzzled.

It wasn't until Candice Smith, my best friend and the company's HR director, pulled me into her office.

"Bianca, are you and Lars about to get married?"

I frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb! The florist just delivered a whole box of pink roses downstairs. Isn't Lars planning a surprise for you? Maybe even a proposal!"

My chest tightened.

Pink roses—the flowers he gave Pearl when he picked her up at the airport two months ago.

Candice suddenly noticed the document in my hand. "Is that…?"

"My resignation letter."

Candice froze. "You're stepping down? Well, I suppose it makes sense if you're getting married, my dear future Mrs. Carter!"

I didn't respond.

She signed the paperwork, smiling as she handed it back.

"Bianca, you've been the best superior I've ever worked with. If you've decided to focus on family, maybe that's for the best… Though I hope Lars doesn't let you down."

"I'm sure I'll be happy," I replied, my tone firm.

However, that happiness had nothing to do with Lars.