Chapter 1

I let out a long breath, took out my phone, and made a call.

“Professor Johnson, I accept the invitation from your research institute.”

I was a rare genius in the field of computer science.

The Los Angeles Computer Research Institute was a dream countless people chased. Professor Johnson had extended an olive branch to me five times already.

To stay in Sicily with the Don, I had refused every invitation from the institute.

Between career and love, I had once chosen the latter without hesitation.

I thought Ethan and I were in love. In reality, he always favored his childhood sweetheart.

In that case, I no longer wanted him.

Professor Johnson said happily, “Miss Nolan, that’s wonderful. Have you truly decided?”

“I have,” I replied politely. “I’d like to start as soon as possible. Is that alright?”

Soon, Professor Johnson sent over the contract.

I signed it without hesitation.

In seven days, I would officially join the Computer Research Institute.

After deciding to leave, I went home and began packing my things.

I wanted a clean break from the Don, leaving no way back.

The next day, Ethan came home.

The moment he stepped through the door, he walked straight toward me.

“Clara, I missed you so much.”

He opened his arms, ready to embrace me as usual.

I stepped aside.

Ethan paused for a second, then quickly smiled again.

“Don’t be angry. Something really came up last minute yesterday.”

He came up to me, his tone still gentle.

“I’m sorry. I promise it won’t happen again.”

He took out his phone and opened the reservation page right in front of me.

“This time, I’ll make you my Donna as soon as possible.”

He lowered his head and tapped a few times.

“We’ll prepare the wedding at the same time. In seven days, I’ll give you a grand wedding.”

In the past, words like these would have made me smile instantly. I would have thrown myself into his arms and said “yes” over and over. Now, I only watched him calmly operate the phone, not even the corner of my mouth moving.

He suddenly looked up at me.

“You’re not happy?”

“No.”

I gave a faint smile.

“I’m just a little tired.”

He frowned slightly, sensing something was off.

But he quickly dismissed the doubt.

In his eyes, I had loved him for so many years.

I wouldn’t truly leave over one missed appointment.

My phone suddenly rang.

The moment the screen lit up, Ethan glanced at it instinctively.

【One-Way Ticket to the International Airport...】

His gaze froze. He frowned. “Why did you book a plane ticket? Where are you going?”

My heart tightened for a second, then I took the phone back as if nothing were wrong.

“Just helping a friend book it.”

I put the phone away.

Ethan stared at me for a few seconds, then finally didn’t press further.

He reached out and ruffled my hair.

“I thought you were going to leave me.”

He said it seriously, even with a trace of lingering fear, and pulled me into his arms.

“Clara, I really can’t live without you.”

I lowered my eyes and said nothing.

He continued on his own:

“Yesterday was my fault. I promise I won’t miss it next time.”

I no longer knew how many times he had made me that same promise.

The scent of his cologne, for the first time, made me feel disgusted.

Before I could push him away, he rested his chin on my shoulder.

“Baby, the custom wedding dress is finished. I’ll go with you for the fitting.”

His voice was full of undisguised anticipation.

I knew that in the past I would have blushed and nodded, my heart filled with the joy of becoming his wife.

Now, I only wanted to finish this last performance without leaving any openings.

Besides, that wedding dress was my mother’s final work.

I wanted to see the dress my mother had designed for me with her own hands—the one the craftsmen had spent a full six months sewing by hand.

So I agreed to go try it on.

That afternoon, Ethan and I went to the bridal shop.

The moment I stepped inside, I saw the wedding dress my mother had poured a year’s worth of heart into designing.

Yet that dress, which had cost nearly ten million, was currently being worn by Bianca.