Chapter 2

As soon as Sophie left, he returned to his usual indifference.

Even after four years of enduring this suffocating feeling, I still couldn’t stop the wave of disappointment that washed over me. I gave a self-mocking smile and spoke calmly.

“Rowan, I’m really curious—what kind of bet makes you confess to Sophie at the graduation party? Who was that oversized bracelet really for? You promised we’d take a trip tonight. If you couldn’t make it, why not just say so? Why lie and tell me your friends dragged you out for drinks?”

The air inside the car felt stifling. It was like all the oxygen had been sucked out.

Rowan rolled down the window with an impatient flick and lit a cigarette, his movements smooth, practiced. He exhaled slowly before replying in a tightly controlled voice.

“The bet was made by those childhood friends before Sophie went abroad to study. She and I were childhood sweethearts—I couldn’t let her lose face in front of them. The bracelet is the style you like. Didn’t I promise I’d replace your old one with a diamond bracelet? Sophie only borrowed it because it looked nice. That’s all. She’s never missed a graduation with us since high school. She came back early just to be part of our big moment. I didn’t want to ruin that for her.”

“So it’s my fault?” My composure cracked. “Rowan, if you love her so much, why didn’t you just stay with her in the first place? Why come after me?”

The moment I said it, his expression darkened. “Madison, you’re acting like a damn shrew!”

He slammed the car door and stepped out, glaring at me through the window. “You think I’ve wronged you? That I’ve been unfair? If you really can’t get over this, call off the engagement!”

His anger, instead of inflaming me, had the opposite effect. It steadied me. He always did this whenever it involved Sophie—he would protect her at all costs. Then he’d turn around and use my vulnerabilities like weapons.

My chest ached, but I didn’t want to back down like before. This time, I met his gaze head-on.

“Let’s break it off,” I said. “Rowan, let’s break up.”

His jaw clenched as he gritted out, “Madison, do you think this is some kind of joke? You think upsetting me will get you what you want? You’re the one who can’t live without me. You’re an orphan. Without me, where would you even go?”

I let out a low, humorless laugh but said nothing. Instead, I reached for the cigarette pack in my pocket.

Seeing my silence, Rowan assumed I’d backed down. His tone softened. “Alright, let’s just forget this happened. The engagement party will go on. Can we go home now?”

My nose stung as tears threatened to fall. I quickly shut my eyes and took a deep breath, forcing the emotion down. When I opened them again, everything was clear.

I lit the cigarette and took a long drag. As I exhaled, it felt like the last trace of sadness left with the smoke.

Rowan didn’t notice anything was wrong. He just frowned and reached for my cigarette. “Who was it that told me to quit smoking and get ready for a baby? What’s the point of this now? Give it to me. Don’t you want the baby anymore?”

I leaned away and blew a smoke ring into his face.

“No. Rowan, I don’t want the baby anymore. I don’t want you anymore either.”

I grew up in an orphanage. Growing up without a family, I craved warmth, happiness, and a home more than anything.

When Rowan first confessed to me, I told him clearly, “I don’t fool around. If I commit, it’s forever. Rowan, if you can’t do the same, don’t start.”

But he had stayed. He’d been so kind, so attentive. He fulfilled every little request. The day we got together, he promised me solemnly, “Madison, we’ll build a home together. We’ll have a warm, happy life.”

And I believed him. I gave him everything without hesitation. For four years, we were the perfect couple—except when it came to Sophie.

She was the one shadow that never went away. Around her, I could never feel secure.