To Love Until the End

“If we told Madison that tonight’s confession was just a bet between friends, do you think she’d believe it? She’s never been able to tolerate even the slightest flaw. She’s going to start something with you again. Rowan, did I cause you trouble again? I’m so stupid…” Sophie Wendell’s sweet voice trembled with concern.Leaning against a large tree outside the auditorium, I heard her cloying tone and instinctively looked up. Rowan Shelby was gently brushing her soft, long hair. “Silly girl, don’t worry. I’ll handle her,” he said.My hand trembled. Ash from my cigarette fell onto the back of my hand, and the sharp sting brought tears to my eyes.I lowered my head and let out a bitter laugh as I flicked the cigarette away. As the two of them approached, I stepped out from the shade of the tree.The moment they saw me, both of them froze.Sophie quickly pulled her hand behind her back when she noticed my eyes locked on their tightly clasped hands. However, the diamond bracelet on her

With Rowan insisting that Sophie was just a friend, I chose to dismiss their occasional ambiguous gestures as the kind of excessive familiarity that ignored boundaries. All the unease faded once Sophie found a boyfriend abroad and fell deeply in love.As our engagement party approached, I thought happiness was finally within reach. However, when Sophie broke up with her boyfriend and returned, all my hopes were shattered. It hit me then—Rowan had only ever loved Sophie.Rowan looked at me darkly, as if he couldn’t understand why I’d suddenly changed. After a long silence, he finally compromised. “It’s my fault tonight. I promise I’ll go on that graduation trip with you right after I finish all this work. Let’s not fight anymore, okay?”When he reached out to pinch my cheek, I coldly slapped his hand away and pushed open the car door. While he sat there stunned, I pulled off the bracelet and forced it into his hand. “Since you bought it according to Sophie’s wrist size, it was neve

I hauled my suitcase down the pedestrian street, too furious to care who stared.Passersby gave me cautious glances, stepping aside to let me through.A sudden downpour broke out. I cursed under my breath and ducked under an eave for shelter. I had planned to leave as soon as the rain let up, but it only grew heavier. My clothes were so soaked, I could wring water from them. The wet fabric clung to my skin, suffocating and maddening.Suppressing my irritation, I pulled out a cigarette—only to find the entire pack drenched beyond use. I let out a bitter laugh. My chest tightened. My eyes warmed. My nose began to sting.Then came a familiar voice, laced with a chuckle."Maddie, are you role-playing with that pitiful look? What are you, a drowned cat?"“Tsk tsk. Only Rowan would put you in such an awkward situation; Noah wouldn't have the heart to do that.”I looked up to see Jillian Jagger, my old friend from university, flashing her signature smirk.The Noah she mentioned was a

My eyes narrowed as I turned to look at him. With my breath reeking of alcohol, I asked, “Handsome, do we know each other?”“Of course. I’m Noah Kempton.”At the curve of his lips, my mind short-circuited.Noah?Noah!The top student who pursued me during university—the devastatingly handsome one.My eyelids twitched as I snapped my head toward Jillian.She avoided my gaze, sheepishly rubbing her nose before grabbing her bag and backing away. “I... I’ve got something to do. Noah, take care of my honey, okay?”The door clicked shut. Silence fell.The weight of his gaze made me even dizzier.I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, not caring if I looked pathetic.Noah noticed and crouched in front of me, his tone gentle. “Are you feeling unwell? I can take you to the hospital.”I didn’t answer. Instead, I asked, “Shouldn’t you give me an explanation for tonight? I don’t believe this is all just a coincidence.”“Drinking and Jillian finding you… Everything was arranged by me.

"Rowan, stop. I'll speak for you."After interrupting him, I paused for a moment before continuing, "Ever since you confirmed your relationship with Sophie, you began to realize she's just mediocre. She can't shed her spoiled temper, and you're exhausted from coaxing her long-term. Over the past four years, I took care of you and spoiled you emotionally. “When the passion with Sophie faded, the contrast overwhelmed you. You remembered how good I was to you, and it drove you to seek me out again."You’ve never submitted to anyone, yet you still demand I return to your side. Because you know—if I give in and make up with you, your life gets better. One humble gesture from you gets you a nanny you can sleep with and scold forever. A great bargain, isn't it?"I smiled. "Did I say everything right?"Rowan shed a tear and choked out, "No, Madison. You're the only one I ever loved!"His desperate look reminded me of myself once—equally humble.Back then, Rowan had always been high and