Chapter 1

"It's okay. You keep doing your thing. I just wanted to let you know," I said, calmly sitting down in a chair across from him.

Lorenzo Townsend finally looked up at me, staring for a long while.

Once, he used to look at me like that, but now, the warmth in his gaze was gone.

We were college classmates.

Today marked the seven years since we met and fell in love.

We'd been through four years of college and three years since graduation. He'd probably forgotten what today was.

The fiery passion we shared at the beginning was reduced to cold distance.

After being his girlfriend for seven years, I still hadn't heard him say he wanted to marry me.

I wasn't stupid or blind to what was happening.

When a man dragged things out for seven years, there must be something deeper.

Lorenzo paused for a moment, then spoke with a hint of impatience. "I've told you. When the company goes public, I'll marry you. Don't keep bringing this up."

He shot me a cold look. "Are you that desperate? Afraid you won't be able to find someone else?"

His words hit me like a cold wave, leaving me shivering.

Back in college, we didn't have much, but those years were fulfilling.

We dreamed about the future, picking up odd jobs to make ends meet. We'd share a single meal.

He always let me have the meat, while he'd just drink the soup and mix it with rice.

Back then, he promised we'd get married once we graduated.

After graduation, we started this company.

There were many times when we'd pass a jewelry store on our way home.

Lorenzo would point to the most expensive diamond ring inside and say, "When the company is stable, I'll buy you the most expensive ring from this store and propose."

Now the company was stable, and we were making money.

But his promises had shifted. Now it was, "When the company goes public, I'll marry you."

The marriage had been delayed again and again. I didn't even know which of his promises were real anymore.

I lifted my head, gazing at him, and murmured, "It's been seven years. We've been together for seven years."

His indifference melted a little. He leaned across the desk and pulled me into a tight hug.

"I know you've waited a long time, but right now, the company is at a critical point," he murmured. "I can't get distracted. I need to focus on work. This company is something we worked hard to build. We've come so far. You understand, right?"

I didn't respond. The disgust and nausea rising inside me felt impossible to hold back.

I wasn't blind to his hesitation, and I knew where the perfume smell on him was coming from.

They said childhood feelings couldn't beat true love, but Lorenzo could never forget his childhood sweetheart.

He would do anything for her.