Chapter 3

Nicholas pulled me into his arms and fastened the expensive necklace around my neck. "I don't like relationships that go nowhere either."

After graduation, I helped him secure several more projects. At my busiest, I drank so much that I ended up with gastric bleeding. I worked myself like a dog, repaying his support, and trying to catch up to him.

From the ages of 19 to 29, I devoted myself to protecting our relationship, trying to become someone worthy of him.

But the one who remembered that promise was only me. Perhaps he didn't forget and just chose to pretend for the sake of his so-called "greater plans."

Nicholas acted as if everything had been perfectly arranged and casually answered a phone call.

In the quiet living room, I heard Tiffany's soft, sweet voice. "Nicholas, I miss you."

His tone turned gentle. "Wait for me."

After hanging up, he turned to look at me. "Ariana, do you remember everything I just said?"

My face was expressionless. "I remember."

Satisfied, he nodded and leaned in to ruffle my hair. The perfume scent on him made me nauseous.

"In a few days, I'll send you Chandler's contact number. He's not into women. You two can cover for each other." After saying that, he left in a hurry.

I learned that when pain reached a limit, I didn't even have tears left to cry. My eyes, dry and bloodshot, burned as I watched him disappear before me.

Yes, I remembered everything he said. But I didn't love him anymore.

Quietly, I moved into a rented apartment. I took everything with me, except that necklace.

Nicholas didn't notice. Pleased with my "obedience," he quickly sent me Chandler's number, saying, "Chandler's good-looking and has a good family background. Your parents should be satisfied. Too bad he's not into women. Otherwise, I might actually feel threatened."

I had no intention of contacting Chandler, nor did I want to deal with Nicholas anymore. After turning off my phone's notifications, I fell into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning, I received a call from Chandler. His voice carried the lazy edge of just waking up, sending a jolt to my heart. "Ariana, why didn't you reply to me? I waited for you until midnight."

I bit my lip, unsure what to say.

Chandler was Nicholas' uncle and the largest shareholder of Greene Group. He was not someone I could afford to offend. I racked my brain, thinking of how to refuse.

"If you don't respond, how am I supposed to return your ring? It's pretty expensive, right? Even secondhand, it'd go for at least 40 thousand dollars."

That was when I remembered that the ring I'd saved up for was still with him. It cost me 70 thousand dollars. My chest tightened at the thought. I dropped my hesitation and replied, "I was really tired last night and fell asleep. I didn't see the message."

Chandler let out a soft chuckle. "Mmm. Well, you can reply now."

For some reason, I suddenly felt like he could see right through me. "Okay."

That was how we ended up texting each other.

He sent me a location and said, "See you tonight."

I replied politely, "Okay."

At 7:00 pm, I arrived on time. Just as I reached the restaurant entrance, my phone rang.

It was Tiffany. She sounded like she was crying on the other end. "Ariana, I hit someone. I don't dare to tell Nicholas. Can you come help me?"

My heart jolted. I immediately replied, "Okay. Don't panic. I'm on my way."

If not for Nicholas, Tiffany and I would've been good friends. I sent Chandler a message and rushed out.

When I arrived at the scene, there was blood everywhere. But Tiffany herself was uninjured.

"Tiffany, what happened?"

She clutched the hem of my clothes tightly. "I'm not used to driving yet. I ran a red light."

I frowned. "Where's the person you hit? Did you call an ambulance?"

As I reached for my phone, she snatched it away and smashed it to the ground. "We can't call them!"

Her breathing was ragged, her gaze fierce. "I'm about to get married. There can't be any scandal."

Looking at my shattered phone, I said coldly, "Tiffany, this is someone's life. You can't do this."

She slowly forced out the words, "But I hit her really badly."