Holly could not figure out how she ended up back in her car.

The heater was on, making it cozy and warm.

However, even after she nailed down the last detail of the arranged marriage with Ronald, Holly's hands still kept shaking.

Ronald seemed pretty happy with how well Holly was taking it, shooting her one last text.

[We didn't raise you without our own interests in mind — but rest assured, we took a lot of thought choosing your fiance. He's more than good enough. You can marry him with a peace of mind.]

[Do you want Melissa and me to say something to Luke? You two are really close, and if he finds out you're suddenly getting married, he's bound to have a hard time letting go.]

That message brought back all of Luke's icy digs.

Tears splashed onto her phone screen.

Click.

Just then, Luke swung the car door open and hopped in.

His eyes caught Holly's tear-streaked face, and he frowned, like he was not the reason for it.

He wrapped her up in a hug, his voice barely showing concern.

"Holly, why the tears? Are you okay?"

Holly stashed her phone behind her back, stone-faced. She looked at the guy she used to be crazy about, feeling nothing like before.

She shook her head, trying to sound cool and detached, "It's no big deal.

"Just got super pumped about the invite to the Ocean Sonata Cup finals."

Luke tensed up holding her.

He had just been talking about that very competition on the phone.

The biggest, most high-stakes piano contest in the capital — the one Cecilia, the daughter of the Porter family, had hoped to win.

However, Holly had been the reigning champion of the Ocean Sonata Cup for four years straight. Along with Cecilia trailing behind her in second place.

"Holly," Luke whispered, his kisses trailing along her neck with a teasing lilt, "Why bother with the Ocean Sonata Cup again? You've won it enough times. How about skipping this one out?

"Stay here with me instead." His words were accompanied by his restless fingers, long and elegant. He began to undo the buttons on her blouse as he spoke.

In the heat of their past moments together, Holly would have given in to Luke's whim, whether they made sense or not.

Luke thought it was just desire clouding her judgment. He could not have been more wrong. Holly was hooked on the fleeting looks of love she thought she saw in his eyes.

However, she saw the truth… He never loved her. She was just a plaything to him.

Luke missed the clarity in Holly's eyes and the icy edge to her smile. "Fine, I won't go," she said calmly. "I'll give up the award."

'And I'll give up on you too,' she thought, but those words stayed unspoken.

Luke's face lit up with happiness, desire flashing in his eyes as his hands traced the curve of Holly's waist. Holly's expression remained unchanged even as her brows drew together, ready to claim she felt sick to avoid his advances.

Then, a rhythmic tapping at the car window interrupted them, followed by a crisp, cool female voice.

"Luke, are you in there? What's going on, are you with your girlfriend?"

Within milliseconds, Luke hurriedly shoved Holly away. Her head smacked against the car door, turning her face ghostly white as she winced from the pain.

Luke, looking all kinds of worried, quickly fixed his rumpled clothes and rolled down the window. His eyes darted to Cecilia standing outside.

Luke, who was usually cool-headed, sounded distressed, "Girlfriend? No way, Holly got hurt, I was just helping her out."

Holly looked up to Cecilia's gaze, which was cool, deep, and drop-dead gorgeous.

It was like comparing perfection to her mess and mortification.

She was the polar opposite of Cecilia. Holly was all curves and sweet innocence with a side of allure — a walking daydream for many guys. Cecilia looked like she was sketched by a goddess, she only had graceful lines and an air of untouchable grace.

Holly knew their history, Luke and Cecilia were childhood friends. They went to the same schools and even went abroad together.

To all the old folks, and Holly herself, before they were eighteen, Luke and Cecilia were known as the golden couple.

Somehow, on her eighteenth birthday, Luke picked Holly instead. Holly had figured Luke just was not into Cecilia's vibe.

Then, it hit her. All this time, he did not want to ruin the perfect picture he had of his untouchable goddess.

Cecilia watched Holly catch a beat, a small laugh escaping her. Then she dropped the bomb. "Isn't that Holly? The girl your family's taking care of, right? I get that you two are tight, but you better keep a distance.

"If people start talking, it won't just be a bad look for your folks – I'd lose respect for you, too."

Cecilia's offhand comment sent Luke into a tailspin.

"There's nothing going on between us, I'll never be with someone like her."

His words edged into me like a sharp knife.

Holly's hands were balled into fists so tight that her fingernails nearly pierced the skin of her palms.

Cecilia's face remained cold, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

Luke turned back, his eyes pleading as he silently begged Holly for help.

Holly fought back the tears, forcing a strained smile that did not quite suit her.

"Ms. Porter, you've got it all wrong.

"Luke and I aren't dating. We're more like siblings than lovers, in fact.

"Besides, I'm about to get married, so there's no way I could be with him."

Cecilia's frosty demeanor softened for a moment at Holly's words.

Her smile warmed when she looked at Luke.

"Luke, it's been too long since I've caught up with your parents. I'll stop by your place later."

With that, Cecilia walked away, her silhouette graceful and dignified, leaving Holly with a mess of insecurities.

A sudden sharp pain snapped Holly back to reality — Luke was gripping her wrist too tightly.

Luke's frown showed his displeasure. "Holly, what's this about an arranged marriage you mentioned?"

Holly's face remained neutral as she gently pulled her hand free.

"It was just a cover story, don't take it to heart."

Luke let out a relieved breath.

Silence then filled the car, heavy and awkward.

Luke awkwardly coughed, ready to justify his earlier reaction. "I hope you're not upset. I just didn't want Cecilia spreading rumors to my parents, so I had to make sure we were on the same page."

Holly did not say a word. She closed her eyes and feigned to be asleep, releasing an air of exhaustion.

Luke fell for the act and realized she was not mad at him. He let out a breath of relief and, with a thoughtful gesture, draped his jacket over her.

Unseen by him, a tear traced a silent path down Holly's cheek.

They arrived back at the Hoffmans' house to find that Cecilia had already made herself at home. She had been openly welcomed by Luke's parents, Ronald and Melissa Gilbert. Melissa could not resist a jab when she saw Holly walk in.

"Look at that, Holly. Luke and Cecilia are just perfect for each other, right?"

Cecilia's eyes flicked to Holly. "You don't look too happy, Holly. Is it because you don't like me, or because you don't like me being with Luke?"

Her words were like a bait, pulling all eyes to Holly, whose face lost a bit of color.

Melissa chuckled, playing peacemaker. "Oh, come on, Holly's the most understanding person here. Way more than Luke.

"And besides, she's already involved with someone from Yverland...

"Hi, Ms. Gilbert," Holly cut in, her voice tinged with urgency, "I'm not feeling well. I think I'll go upstairs and rest."

Melissa's eyes softened, and she nodded. "Of course, dear."

As Holly made her way up the stairs, she could hear Melissa politely suggesting Cecilia stay longer.

Cecilia quickly declined. Luke, on the other hand, was desperately trying to convince Cecilia to extend her stay.

A smirk curled at the edge of Holly's lips.

Whenever Cecilia was around, Luke had eyes for no one else.

So the days rolled on, a full week slipping away.

Luke was pretty much glued to Cecilia's side, but he had not forgotten about Holly. Every night, he would text her, trying to smooth things over.

[Hey Holly, don't be mad. My folks just think Cecilia needs a tour guide since she's new in town.]

He would write on and on.

[Once she's gone, we'll spend some time together. Remember that cool place abroad you wanted to check out?]

[Holly, you're my number one. Always. This thing with Cecilia? It's just for show, for my parents' sake.]

[And hey, you promised not to go to the Ocean Sonata Cup, right? Stick with that. Stay home and we'll have our own time.]

[Holly, I love you.]

Holly had been on the balcony when she read that. If she had not seen Luke tenderly pick up a flower that slipped into Cecilia's hair and tucked it away like a treasured keepsake, she might have kept fooling herself into believing Luke still cared for her.

Holly could not just stay still. She had been out and about with the Hoffmans, getting all her travel documents in order, even personally picking up her certificate.

Melissa and Ronald were really pleased with how well she was handling everything. They were treating her upcoming marriage like she was their own daughter, full of gifts.

Luke did not bat an eyelash when Melissa invited Cecilia to go hiking, even with Holly right there. Melissa, ever the peacemaker, chimed in, "Let's bring Holly along. It'll be good for her to get out before the big day."

With Melissa weighing in, Luke could not exactly say no. So, they left the room together, a reluctant trio.

Holly had thought about playing it cool, making up some excuse to bail. However, there she was, stuck in the middle of it all.

Luke's grip on Holly's wrist was sudden and firm. He pulled her into a hidden corner away from prying eyes.

"Holly…" Luke's voice was urgent, his body radiating a nervous heat as he leaned in close. His voice quivered, betraying a hint of fear, "Are you upset with me? There's nothing going on with Cecilia, I swear. It's all for show, to keep my parents off my back. You believe me, right?"