Chapter 3

Willow's POV

Over the past few years, I had always wanted to go to the movies with Cameron like any ordinary couple. Every time I brought it up, though, he would ruffle my hair and talk me out of it in the gentlest voice.

"I'm a public figure now. If we're caught on camera, it could jeopardize my career. You might even get doxxed. I just don't want you to get hurt."

But ever since he became famous, he had done nothing but play up his chemistry with one actress after another or take trips to the islands with some singer.

His old excuses, which once pacified me, echoed alarmingly in my ears. They felt like a cruel mockery of how deeply I had loved him.

Halfway through the movie, Bianca leaned seductively toward Cameron's ear. "Cam, reporters are waiting outside the cinema. Why don't we slip out early?"

"We're leaving first. Come out on your own later," Cameron told me.

He got up and left with Bianca without even asking what I thought. I stayed in my seat, perfectly still, and quietly watched the rest of the movie.

I would never again let a man who didn't love me make me suffer or live in fear. Whatever time and love I had left, I was going to give it to myself.

After happily watching the movie, I went to the hospital. The pain from my stomach cancer kept me from sleeping. I needed an IV drip and painkillers at the hospital to get some relief.

As the pungent smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils, I watched the entertainment news playing on the TV.

The award-winning actor had gone on a cinema date with a rising starlet. They even shared a passionate kiss on the street…

I couldn't keep my eyes open for long and eventually drifted off. Even half-asleep, I could faintly feel my phone vibrating nonstop in my arms.

It wasn't until the early hours of the morning that I finally made it home. From a distance, I spotted a tall figure standing outside my door.

It was Cameron.

Throughout our seven years together, he'd always been the one getting dead drunk at bars or working late on set. I'd always been the one waiting for him, just like he was waiting for me now.

I would stand outside bars or film studios until the wee hours, bringing him either hangover juice or nourishing soup I'd made.

But Cameron never liked me doing any of that. He thought I was just using those excuses to keep tabs on him and interfere with his life.

So I was genuinely surprised to see the roles reversed, with him waiting for me to come home.

When he saw me, Cameron hurried over and pulled me into his arms. "The movie ended ages ago. Where have you been? Why didn't you come home? Do you know how worried I've been?

"And don't look at today's news. They're just making things up with misleading camera angles. None of it is true."

It took me a moment to remember which news report he was talking about.

"It's fine. I'm used to those reports by now."

My indifference seemed to make him recall everything he had put me through. For once, I caught a trace of remorse on his face.

He pulled out a box. Inside was a huge diamond ring. I was stunned.

I had lost count of how many times I had dreamed of this moment.

I had always hoped that he would be the one to slip a diamond ring onto my finger and make a heartfelt promise to me in honor of all the years we had shared.

Yet now, looking at the diamond ring, I felt nothing. I tossed it carelessly onto the table.

Cameron's expression shifted. Frowning, he followed me into my tiny rented apartment. "Willow, you've really changed. How can you not even—"

I knew exactly what he wanted to say.

I should've been looking at the diamond ring with pure ecstasy, crying happy tears and throwing my arms around him—conveniently forgetting every bit of hurt and resentment I had ever endured.

At that thought, I curled my lips into a perfunctory smile. "Oh, wow! A diamond ring! It's huge!"

"Do you like it?" Cameron asked, looking at me expectantly.

I was still smiling. "I guess."

I used to treasure the silver ring he made me—worth barely 50 dollars—and wear it every day as if it were priceless.

So how could I possibly not adore such a huge diamond ring?