Chapter 1

Raelynn's POV

In that instant, the new boat, adorned with roses, glided into the water while the crowd erupted into cheers and began jostling one another. "You should get on the boat, Raelynn!"

"You're finally getting married after seven years, Raelynn!" Faith Chapman, my best friend, exclaimed, sounding genuinely happy on my behalf.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Declan Johnson, my boyfriend, disembarked and walked in my direction. He paused beside me for a mere instant before passing by.

He finally came to a stop in front of Paige Cullen, his assistant, and asked in a casual, affectionate tone, "Do you like the birthday present I got you, Paige?"

In that instant, an eerie silence settled over the surroundings, while Paige clapped a hand over her mouth. Her eyes were alight with surprise.

Paige and Declan then walked over to the boat together while holding hands.

Declan stopped as he passed by me this time, saying indifferently, "I'll be giving this boat to Paige first. You have nothing to be worried about since I've already begun building another one for you, Raelynn."

Some people were enjoying the drama, while the others were looking at me. They appeared to be waiting for me—the canal town's well-known hot-tempered one—to break out into a massive row.

I merely regarded him with a calm expression, saying, "It won't be necessary, Declan."

Declan froze slightly, seemingly blindsided by my reaction.

Upon sensing the awkward atmosphere, Declan's friends jumped in. "You shouldn't read too much into it, Raelynn. Declan was just helping Pagie fulfill a birthday wish."

"You're definitely the one Declan is going to marry, Raelynn."

I couldn't help but find their clumsy excuses somewhat amusing.

Faith, who was standing right beside me, gritted her teeth and barked, "How could Declan do this? He knows perfectly well that a man from this canal town only builds one boat in his entire lifetime for his beloved!"

I couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness wash over me. After all, in the canal town, even three-year-old children knew that a man had to marry his partner with the very first boat he built. That would signify his lifelong devotion to her.

I could hear Faith's choked voice right beside my ear. "I feel so wronged on your behalf, Raelynn… How could Declan not tell that Paige is merely an assistant trying to work her way up the social ladder through him?"

Paige was, in fact, more than just a mere assistant. She was the daughter of an old family friend of the Johnsons. She was entrusted to the Johnson family's care.

That was the reason why Declan showered Paige with unlimited favoritism. He took her with him to every occasion, and she always received a share of whatever holiday gifts he gave me. He even gave away the wedding boat I had spent seven years waiting for to fulfill her birthday wish.

"It doesn't matter anymore, Faith," I said, patting her hand reassuringly.

It wasn't long before the pair aboard the boat concluded the launch ceremony and returned ashore. Paige smiled faintly as she skipped over to me. She adopted a playful cadence and said, "Dee was just granting a birthday wish for me, so please don't overthink things, Raelynn."

Paige was saying Declan's name in such an intimate manner.

Declan cut me off before I could even say anything. He stepped forward and put his hands on my shoulders, saying, "It's just a boat, so you'd better not make a scene in front of all these people, Raelynn."

He spoke as gently as ever, but his eyes held a warning.

"I won't do that," I said as I took a step back. I then nodded at Paige with a smile, saying, "Happy birthday, Paige."

In that instant, an eerie silence fell over the surroundings. Declan looked at his hand, which now held nothing. He was utterly stunned. He had a right to be. After all, if this had happened in the past, I would have thrown a massive tantrum on the spot.

Faith couldn't watch any longer and demanded loudly, "You've given the boat to Paige, so what are you planning to propose to Raelynn with? She has already waited seven years for you! You'd better give her a definitive answer now, Declan!"

In that instant, Declan became the center of everyone's attention. I silently looked at him as well, feeling a small glimmer of hope rise within my heart too. I was willing to offer Declan this one final chance.

I clenched my fists tightly as the seconds passed by. I was just about to give in and smooth things over when Declan suddenly chuckled softly and said indifferently, "I'll definitely do it next time."

It was a dismissive and perfunctory response, causing the last remnants of love I had for him to go out like a dying flame.