Chapter 5

[Bianca, even if you want to get married, you shouldn't use a wedding dress to force him.]

[Do you really think buying a dress means that Lars will marry you? Stop dreaming!]

[He promised me long ago. I'm the only one he'll ever marry!]

At midnight, the streets of Riverton were still busy and bustling.

I sat quietly in my car, watching Pearl's messages come in one after another. I didn't respond to any of them.

It wasn't until one in the morning that I finally went home. To my surprise, the lights were on.

When Lars heard the door, he couldn't hide his anxiety and got up. "Where were you? Why were you so late?"

"Just went for a drive," I said as I took off my coat.

He stepped closer, reaching out to hug me. I instinctively pulled away.

"Still angry at me? I was a little harsh today," he said before pausing for a moment. "If you don't want to work anymore, then don't. As long as you're happy."

I lowered my head and said nothing.

"By the way, your birthday's coming up." I looked at him. "Any plans?"

He looked at me softly. "I'll stay home and celebrate with you, of course. Just the two of us."

He tried to hug me again, and this time, I didn't refuse.

He seemed relieved, holding me close in his arms and whispering, "Bianca… I feel like you've changed lately."

"You're overthinking it." I slipped out of his arms and headed for the bathroom. "I'm cold. I'm taking a shower."

If this were in the past, he would have noticed right away and wrapped me in a coat before holding me tight. Now, he didn't notice my almost-frozen fingertips or hear the shudders in my breath.

"Oh, right!" he said suddenly, and he followed me into the bathroom. "Where are your toothbrush and cup? They're missing."

I stopped. "Hygiene products should be replaced regularly. There are new ones in the cabinet."

At that, Lars didn't say anything more.

After my shower, I curled up in bed, ready to go to bed, but my phone started buzzing nonstop. It was Pearl again. She was sending one screenshot after another.

This time, the timeline stretched way back. One year ago, two years ago…and even much earlier. Every message came from Lars.

[Pearl, I listened to you and started dating. She's nice… Her smile is just like yours.]

[Being around her, I always feel like I'm back in those days with you when we were still young.]

[Pearl, I dreamed about you. How have you been?]

It was only after Lars bought two key properties in Riverton that Pearl started replying more frequently. That was when they began sharing their daily lives.

Two years ago, when the lemon tree I planted finally bore fruit, Lars took a photo of it and sent it to her right away.

[Look, the lemons grew well. When they're ripe, I'll bring the biggest one to the office and make lemon juice for you.]

The cold light from my phone screen reflected my expression that I barely recognized. I had always known there was something between them, but knowing and seeing it with my eyes were two different things.

Seeing Lars telling Pearl every little detail I had poured my heart into…

At that moment, I realized that being a replacement for someone else was so much more disgusting than betrayal.

[Bianca, even if you don't leave, the only woman Lars will marry is me!]

[I know you don't want to give up your company shares, considering you helped him build the business. So, be smart. I'll ask him to give you one hundred thousand for the severance.]

One hundred thousand?!

I couldn't help but laugh, almost to the point of tears. A hundred thousand… It wasn't even enough to cover a meal at my new fiance's wedding banquet!

Then, the bedroom door opened. Lars stood at the door, holding up his phone, his face tense.

"Bianca, did you put the watch I gave you up for auction?"

That was what mattered most to him. His luxury watch, with a starting bid of one dollar.