Chapter 3

Lena frowned. "I'm not."

Andrew stepped in, eyes locked on her. "Still denying it? You leave early, come back late, won't even say hi. If that's not avoiding me, what is? Because I'm with Nicole now?"

Lena shook her head fast. "No! Uncle Andrew, I'm genuinely happy for you. You found the one you love, and as someone who grew up around you, I really do wish you both happiness. Don't worry—I know you'll never like me, so I won't like you anymore either."

She said it so matter-of-factly, like it was just a simple truth.

Andrew's expression darkened.

Lena not liking him? Yeah, right.

"You confessed, I rejected you. You clung to me, I rejected you. And now what? Changing tactics?" His eyes didn't miss the slight flicker in hers, and his suspicion only grew.

He stepped closer, gaze dropping to the box in her arms. "You don't like me anymore? Then why write me all these love letters? Why sketch me over and over? You chased me for years, and now you expect me to believe you just stopped? Lena, don't you think that's laughable?"

She met his gaze, silent.

She knew how crazy it sounded.

She'd cried wolf too many times. Who would believe her now?

But that didn't make it any less true.

"I did love you," Lena said, voice steady. "For a long time. But you'll never love me back. So I've really given up."

Then, without hesitation, she flipped the box over, dumping everything onto the floor.

One by one, she picked up the letters, the sketches—ripping them apart right in front of him.

Shreds of her past feelings fluttered around them, weightless, meaningless.

Andrew didn't look relieved. If anything, his expression darkened.

For a second, she wondered if she was imagining it.

But before the thought could settle, his voice cut through the air, cold and sharp.

"Keep up the act. But remember this—no matter what tricks you play, the only girl I'll ever love is Nicole."

***

After that day, Lena and Andrew didn't exchange a single word.

She was done. He thought she was playing hard to get. So he ignored her.

The tension dragged on until the Rohan family's private banquet.

These events used to revolve around Lena—Andrew's parents adored her, doting on her every chance they got. They'd fuss over her until Andrew inevitably swooped in and pulled her away.

Now? It was all about Nicole.

She was the future lady of the Rohan family. Lena? Just an outsider.

That morning alone proved how much they valued Nicole. The moment she arrived, Andrew's mother, Coreene, slipped the Rohan family's heirloom bracelet onto her wrist.

Lena had never even laid eyes on that bracelet in her past life.

At dinner, the family openly discussed the wedding date. By the end of the banquet, it was set.

As Lena was about to leave with Andrew, Coreene suddenly stopped her.

"I need a word with you. In private."

Inside the study, Coreene skipped the pleasantries.

"Lena, it's time for you to leave Andrew." Her tone was sharp, leaving no room for debate. "He's with Nicole now. Staying here will only embarrass you—and cause trouble for him. What's the point?"

Not a hint of warmth.

A bitter taste settled in Lena's mouth. Coreene used to adore her—until the day she confessed to Andrew. From then on, she was reckless, shameless... a nuisance.

Lena's fingers curled into her palm. "Don't worry, I'm leaving."

She pulled out her immigration papers and handed them over.

"I already told my father I'm moving abroad. He even arranged a fiancé for me. From now on, I'll stay far away from Uncle Andrew—I won't bother him again."

Coreene studied the documents before her expression finally eased.

"You'd better keep your word."

Once Coreene left, Lena exhaled slowly, finally relaxing.

She tucked the documents back into her bag and turned to leave—only to find Andrew standing in the doorway.

Their eyes met.

His voice was cold. "Who are you planning to stay far away from?"

Lena's mind blanked.

She had no idea how much he'd heard, but instinct screamed that he couldn't know she was leaving.

Shaking her head, she muttered, "No one. You misheard."

She turned to walk past him, but before she could take a step, his voice brushed against her ear.

"I know you don't want to leave Altesia. You don't have to move out after I marry Nicole. Your father and I are old friends—I can take care of you for the rest of your life."

Lena's eyes widened.

Behind him, Nicole, who had just walked in, froze.

Silence. Thick. Heavy.

Then Nicole's resentful glare snapped Lena back to reality.

Without another word, Lena turned and walked away.