Chapter 2

Jeremy flagged down a cab and said, "I won't be taking you home since I still have things to take care of at the clinic. I really hope you learn to have some self-respect. I honestly don't want to be friends with a homewrecker, Sebastian."

I suddenly realized that Jeremy wasn't there to watch the spectacle. He had purposely brought me there so I would find out about Hazel and Chris' wedding. I felt a sharp pang in my chest at that thought.

I then noticed that the cab driver was looking at me through the rearview mirror with a look of disgust, making me feel deeply uncomfortable.

I returned to my tiny 108-square-foot room, where I could see the entire room's layout in a single glance right after I pushed the door open. There was a four-foot-wide bed and a desk pushed right up against it, with a Hermes handbag placed on top of it.

Hazel had begged me for a designer handbag because she was competing for a supervisor position. She said she needed something expensive to help her make a good impression, so I eventually spent half my annual salary on it.

She actually broke into a wide grin on the day I paid for that handbag, despite seeing my pained expression.

I suddenly recalled the ten-million-dollar Patek Philippe watch Hazel had given Chris. It turned out that she hadn't been laughing because she was happy about receiving a gift. She had been laughing at how broke I was.

I felt my eyes sting as I realized that my genuine feelings had been taken for granted. I grabbed a pair of scissors, cut the Hermes handbag, and tossed it into the trash.

I then hurriedly gathered Hazel's belongings, stuffed them into a suitcase, and tossed them outside. "It's over between us, Hazel. Get over here and pick up your belongings."

I blocked her and deleted her contact after sending the message. I collapsed onto the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling once that was done.

I suddenly recalled my second year in university. I was working a part-time job in the dining hall when I overheard Hazel complaining that she could barely afford to eat. I felt bad for her, so I gave her my lunchbox.

I remembered how she shot me a weird look back then, but I was too busy working to think much of it. I realized now that she probably thought I was a joke back then; after all, a broke student working his way through university had actually taken pity on the heiress of the shipping tycoon of Halport.

Hazel began pursuing me after that, and once we graduated, I followed her to Halport to make a living. Halport was a city where every inch of land was worth a fortune, and the rent was absurdly high. I had to pay 1,800 dollars every month just for this cramped 108-square-foot room.

I felt bad for Hazel, who had to work so hard to save for her own wedding fund, so I took care of the rent and every single daily expense.

Hazel eventually managed to save up 14,800 dollars, but she lost everything once she accidentally clicked a phishing link. She then donated the money she saved up to a young girl with leukemia. She accidentally rear-ended another car while working as a driver for hire after that.

She never managed to save up 12,000 dollars after eight years for the wedding. She didn't actually lack the 12,000 dollars. She simply had no intention of marrying me.

It was then that someone suddenly pushed open the door. Hazel, drenched from head to toe, rushed in and held me tightly. She buried her head in the crook of my neck, her voice trembling while saying, "I don't want to break up with you, Sebastian. I'll definitely marry you, so just wait for me a little longer."

I could feel her cold, wet clothes soaking through mine. I faltered for a moment and instinctively went to get a towel to dry her off. I suddenly saw the expensive Hermes handbag in the trash can and snapped back to my senses. I reached out and pushed her away, saying, "You're already married, Hazel."

Hazel froze for a moment, then tightened her arms around me. "My brother is gone, and my father has been unconscious ever since his brain hemorrhage, Sebastian.

"You don't understand the complicated world of wealthy families because you've never been part of that world. Chris is the only one who has the power to help me.

"You're the only one I'll love, though—and also the only one I want to marry. Can you wait six months for me, Sebastian, until I can stabilize the situation…"

Hazel's voice trailed off, making it hard for me to make out what she was saying.

I suddenly recalled something that happened a month ago, when we were getting ready to celebrate our eighth anniversary. She went pale after answering a call. She then told me that something had happened to her family and that she needed to leave for a while.

I handed her my bank card, which held the 112,000 dollars I had saved after working for five years for a house down payment.

I worked desperately to save money for a marital home because she kept promising that we'd move back to my hometown, get married, and settle down as soon as she saved up enough money for the wedding.

"I really don't understand the matters between wealthy families, but I've already waited for you for eight years. I don't want to wait anymore. I've promised Mom that if I'm not married by 27 years old, I'll return to my hometown and let her set me up on blind dates."