Chapter 4

Willow's POV

"Adrian, this doesn't taste very good. It's too salty," Ella complained.

Adrian immediately grew concerned. He put down his fork and stood up to comfort her.

"Really? Then don't eat it. I'll take you somewhere nice instead. You can have whatever you want."

I braced myself against the wall. Every movement sent a tearing pain through my abdomen.

"Adrian Quinton, do you even remember what day it is today?"

His brows knitted together in irritation. He looked at me as if I were some lunatic throwing a tantrum for no reason.

"What? Is it our anniversary or something? Come on, Willow. We've been together for years. Don't you feel embarrassed still making a big deal out of things like that?

"Just stay home and wait for me. I'll buy you a present once I'm done having dinner with Ella."

With that, he turned and headed upstairs to the bedroom.

He didn't see my eyes redden with tears, nor did he see the last flicker of hope in them die out.

Ella and I were the only ones left in the living room.

She walked up to me, her expression filled with unconcealed triumph.

"What are you still hoping for? You're old and useless. Do you really think Adrian still loves you? I'm the woman he loves most now."

She pulled a glossy wedding photo from her purse and held it up for me to see.

"All I had to do was pout and shed a few tears, and he happily married me. If you know what's good for you, pack your things and get out. Stop being an eyesore here."

My eyes locked onto the photograph. In it, Ella was beaming as she nestled against Adrian.

They looked perfect together.

It felt like something had gone off in my head.

Of course… How could I have forgotten?

Adrian and I never actually registered our marriage. We didn't even have a proper wedding.

Back when we first started dating, he was still an unknown actor playing small roles. He'd taken my hand, his eyes shining as he promised, "Willow, once I make it big, we'll get married. I want the whole world to know that you're my woman!"

Later, he really did make it big. He became one of the hottest rising stars in the industry.

When I brought up marriage, he simply wrapped his arms around me and apologized.

"My career is finally taking off, and the paparazzi are watching my every move. Let's wait a little longer. I promise I'll give you a wedding that takes the whole world by storm."

Later, he became an award-winning superstar and a household name.

He never brought up marriage again. And I never asked again either.

As it turned out, it wasn't that he'd forgotten. He'd simply given that promise—and that place in his life that should've been mine—to someone else.

A chill crept into my heart. Even the pain wracking my body seemed to fade away as I grew numb.

Ella smirked as she looked at my ashen face, then slipped the photo away in satisfaction.

Just then, Adrian came downstairs in a fresh change of clothes.

He walked straight over to Ella and took her hand naturally, preparing to leave with her.

When he passed me, he didn't even spare me a sideways glance.

The two of them walked out together, wrapped up in each other, as if I didn't exist.

For a long time, I didn't move.

Eventually, I turned and walked into the guest room, where my suitcase had been packed in advance.

I took out my phone and booked a flight abroad, set to depart in two hours.

It was a one-way ticket with no return trip.

Without looking back, I walked out of the place that had once held so much of my love.

…

Third-Person POV

Meanwhile, a sense of unease crept over Adrian.

He and Willow had been together for so many years. Even he had to admit he'd probably gone too far that day.

He pulled out his phone, intending to ask his assistant to transfer money to the hospital so Matthew could receive treatment.

He thought that was bound to make her happy.

But on the other end of the phone, his assistant hesitated before responding, "Mr. Quinton, Mr. Jones passed away three days ago."