On the other end of the call,Gregory let out a quiet sigh.Though there was sadness in his voice,there was also relief."Anya,I’ve told you before.Samuel will treat you well."

He had never been wrong about people.

Anya’s face was pale,but she forced a small smile.Her voice was soft as she said,"I believe you,Dad."

Gregory sighed again."Mr.Harrington has never given up on you.He has been waiting for you all this time.Whenever you’re ready,just let me know and you can meet him.If you’ve made up your mind,I’d rather you marry early.That way,I can be at ease."

"Who’s getting married early?"

A lazy,amused voice interrupted from behind.Anya's fingers tensed and she hurriedly hung up the call.

Chris stood there,dressed impeccably in a tailored suit,a smug smile playing on his lips.Seeing her reaction,he chuckled."What were you talking about?Afraid I might hear?"His voice carried a teasing lilt,his fair,handsome face filled with quiet arrogance.

Something inside Anya clenched at the sight,so she lowered her gaze and asked back,"Why do you walk in so silently?"

He wrapped his arms around her from behind,nuzzling against her neck like it was second nature.His voice was low,tinged with an almost childlike dependence."Because you were too lost in thought."

As he leaned in,a strong scent of perfume enveloped her senses.Chris had never been one to wear fragrance.The only person who could have left such a lingering scent on him was that woman.

Even though it was not the first time she had noticed it,the dull ache in her chest resurfaced,as piercing as ever.Taking a slow breath,she forced the pain down and asked,"Chris,when are you going to marry me?"

In one sentence,the arms around her tensed.A moment later,he slowly let go."Anya…why are you bringing this up all of a sudden?"

She turned to face him,searching his expression,refusing to let any flicker of emotion escape her notice.Then,she repeated slowly,"I just asked when are we getting married?"

Chris's brows furrowed slightly,but he quickly relaxed,slipping into his usual nonchalant demeanor."Anya,marriage is different from love.I don’t want you to feel tied down.Besides,we’re still young.There’s no need to rush."

At that moment,something inside Anya shattered completely.

Over the years,every time she mentioned marriage,Chris always had an excuse.Always a reason.

Now,when she finally saw the truth,she realized that he had never intended to marry her.Because once he was married,he could no longer keep up his charade.

He claimed to fear that marriage would bind her,but the one who was truly afraid of commitment was him.

She could still hear his past promises echoing in her mind."Anya,wait for me.I’m not worthy of marrying you yet.When I inherit the family business,I’ll give you the grandest wedding the world has ever seen."

Once,those words had filled her with warmth and anticipation.Now,they felt like needles piercing her heart,one by one.

Anya forced a smile,though her heart had long gone numb.

She gazed at him steadily,her voice quiet but firm."Don’t lie to me.Where were you today?"

Her unwavering stare made him falter for a brief second,but just as quickly,he composed himself.Anya had been home all day.There was no way she could know where he had been.

Reassured by this thought,he let out a relaxed chuckle and met her gaze."I was at the office all day.I’m exhausted.But why are you asking?"

Anya remained silent,her expression unreadable.Did he think that just because she had stayed home,she would believe whatever he told her like a fool?

The air between them grew heavy.The silence stretched.

Perhaps sensing her doubt,Chris pulled out his phone and held it out to her."Baby,check it yourself.If you don’t believe me,you can go to the company and ask the employees.I was there all afternoon.I didn’t go anywhere else."

Ridiculous.The company belonged to his family.Naturally,his word was law there.

Anya stared at him.Her heart was numb from the ache.

She dug her nails into her palm,trying her best to suppress the storm of emotions raging within her.As she stared at Chris’s sincere and utterly convincing face,an unsettling realization crept over her.

How could someone lie so effortlessly without the slightest change in expression?

If she had not already known the truth and had not seen the video with her own eyes,she might have foolishly believed him.

Thinking of this,a bitter smile curled on her red lips."Tell me,how exactly does one end up smelling like perfume after spending the entire day in the office?"

The moment the words left her mouth,the easy confidence on Chris’s face froze.His red-rimmed eyes lifted to meet hers,his expression instantly turning wounded."I can explain.Maybe…maybe an employee accidentally brushed past me."

Anya was exhausted.Just how close did he have to be for the scent to cling so persistently?

She was done and did not want to ask anymore,but on the other hand,he seemed desperate to prove something.Without hesitation,he pulled out his phone and dialed one of his employees.

A female voice on the other end answered respectfully,"The president has been at the company all afternoon.Miss Morrison,if you don’t believe me,I can pull up the surveillance footage for you."

Beside her,Chris turned to her with anxious eyes."Anya,do you really need to check the CCTV before you trust me?"

The air between them grew thick with tension.Anya’s gaze lingered on the cold sweat forming on his forehead and the subtle,fleeting flicker of panic in his eyes.Then,suddenly,she smiled.

"Forget it,"she said softly.

She had no interest in checking the surveillance footage.If he did not want to marry her,then forget it and she would marry someone else.If he no longer loved her,then she would stop loving him too.

Chris had no idea what was going through her mind.The moment he heard her response,the tension in his shoulders melted away,knowing that Anya would still believe him.

Watching that unconscious sigh of relief escaped him,Anya’s smile turned cold and ironic.

From this moment on,she would waste no more of her time on him.

Whatever he did,none of it mattered to her anymore.

Anya Morrison and Chris Roswell met in college and it was he who had pursued her.

From their university days until now,she had always believed they would get married,build a life together and start a family.

Never did she imagine that after six years of devotion,Chris would betray her again and again.

Having lost her mother in a car accident as a child,Anya had always longed for love,for a sense of security.That was why,after graduation,she had brought up marriage multiple times.

Chris knew this.He knew how much she wanted to be with him,how much she wanted to marry him.And yet,he had turned her down time and time again.

Now,looking back at those moments,she realized that perhaps he had never intended to marry her at all.The thought stung,sharp as needles piercing her heart.

Just then,her phone vibrated with a message from her father.[Anya,I’ve already arranged for you to meet with the Harrington Family on Sunday.]

Anya stared at the screen for a long time.Suppressing the storm of emotions within her,she tapped at the keyboard,hesitated for a moment and finally replied with a single[Okay.].

As if sensing her low spirits,Chris had been unusually attentive over the past two days.He took her out,brought her to the trendiest places and even led her into the most exclusive boutique in Ashbourne City.

The moment they stepped inside,a store employee approached,presenting a luxurious,royal green gown.

The intricate embroidery looked entirely hand-sewn,every stitch crafted with exquisite precision.Tiny diamonds were delicately embedded throughout,catching the light and making the dress shimmer with elegance.

At the sight of it,Chris's expression stiffened.He parted his lips as if to speak,but the moment his gaze landed on Anya beside him,he hesitated and fell silent.

Seeing the odd look on Chris’s face,Anya felt a flicker of unease.Before she could dwell on it,the store employee stepped forward with a bright smile.

"Mr.Roswell,the dress you personally designed has been completed.Would you like to check if any adjustments are needed?"

Then,as if realizing something,the employee hesitated before glancing at Anya."Since you've brought the young lady with you,she can try it on herself."

The moment those words left her lips,a flash of panic crossed Chris's eyes.His expression darkened instantly."What nonsense are you talking about?"

The store clerk was startled by his reaction and fell silent.Realizing she had misspoken,she dared not say another word.

Anya caught the nervous flicker in his eyes.Lowering her gaze,she reached out and lightly traced her fingers over the sapphire-green fabric before looking up at him."Did you design this?"

For a moment,his expression stiffened,but he quickly composed himself."Anya,a relative asked me to design it.I couldn’t refuse."

Chris was a renowned designer of both fashion and jewelry in the country.Every outfit,every accessory Anya owned down to the necklace resting against her collarbone had been gifts from him,tokens of his love.

She still remembered how he once had told her that since they had met in winter,he had designed the Winter Love Song necklace just for her.He had said that after meeting her,she became his only source of inspiration.

There had been many who sought his designs,but he turned them all down.He even publicly declared online,"From now on,I will only design for my girlfriend."

Even his own mother could not persuade him to design jewelry for her.She had only laughed and scolded him,saying,"You will completely forget your mother when you have a wife!"

At the time,they had posted a picture of their intertwined fingers online,drawing admiration and envy from countless people.Now,as she recalled those memories,they felt like they belonged to a distant past.

At that moment,a trace of unease flickered across Chris’s face.He had never done anything against his will.Not even his mother could convince him to design for her.

So,who was this relative who had managed to persuade him?And why did the mere mention of it make him so nervous?

A sinking feeling settled in Anya’s chest.She had a hunch that whatever answer awaited her was something she did not want to hear.

Lowering her gaze,she withdrew her hand from the dress and turned to leave.However,before she could take a step,a familiar female voice rang out behind her.

"Is the dress my boyfriend customized for me ready?I need it for my birthday in two days.Don’t waste my time.I expect it to be perfect."

The voice that rang out was arrogant and willful.Anya turned around,momentarily stunned.

Standing in the doorway was a woman with delicate,alluring features and a petite figure.The moment she stepped inside,the air was instantly filled with a familiar scent.It was the same perfume that clung to Chris’s suit.

The moment Anya saw that face,her heart sank and a surge of uncontrollable anger threatened to consume her.

Because this was the woman Chris had slept with that night when he was drunk.

Back then,the woman had been hidden beneath the covers,so Anya could not see her face.However,after Chris had fallen asleep,she came to Anya,smirking,her fingers grazing her own belly as she spoke with quiet arrogance.

"He loves me now.Who knows?I might even be carrying his child.If you’re smart,you’ll step aside."

After Anya saw the woman appear,Chris only stood there,staring at the woman with a dazed expression.And in that moment,Anya realized.

That night,he had claimed he was set up.That it was a mistake.Yet,here they were,hooking up behind her back.

Her blood boiled.She fixed him with an icy stare,forcing each word out through clenched teeth.“Ah!So,this is the relative you were talking about.”

Chris snapped out of his stupor.A flicker of panic crossed his face.He opened his mouth as if to explain,but before he could get a single word out,the woman laughed.

"Miss Morrison,don’t misunderstand.I was only joking.I truly envy you for having such a talented boyfriend!"

At that,Chris’s tense expression softened.He quickly stepped in,his voice calm as he introduced her."Anya,this is Miss Avery,a distant relative from my mother’s side."

Carmen smiled,her gaze filled with feigned innocence."It’s just a dress,Miss Morrison.Surely you’re not so petty as to make a fuss over something like this?"

At those words,Chris’s face darkened and he stared at Carmen with a deadly look."Miss Avery,mind your words."

Carmen merely curled her lips into a smirk before surrendering and said,"All right,all right.Would it make you happy if I returned the dress to you?"

Anya watched their exchange.Even though she had already known the truth,seeing it unfold before her eyes still sent an unbearable chill through her veins.The disappointment in Chris had long since numbed her.

Anya’s lips curled slightly,but before she could even utter the word"No need,"Chris had already cut in.

"Anya,I’ll design something exclusively for you in the future.This dress…it’s just not suitable for you."

The words caught in her throat.

She saw the way he tensed as if afraid she might take the dress away.The way Carmen smirked,eyes gleaming with silent triumph.And in that moment,Anya’s heart turned to ice.

Clenching her fists,she looked at them both,her voice crisp and indifferent."Don't worry.I’m not so poor that I need to steal someone else’s dress."

"Anya,that’s not what I meant.It’s just that the size isn’t right for you,so…"

Anya exhaled sharply and suddenly realized that agreeing to go out with him today was a big mistake.Her tone was cold as she said,"You don’t need to explain anything to me."

Chris stiffened at her cold reaction.He had no idea why her reaction unsettled him since Anya should not know about Carmen Avery.

Before he could say anything,Carmen’s voice cut through the tension."Miss Morrison,my birthday is in a few days.My boyfriend booked a hotel to celebrate.You’re welcome to attend as a guest."

The date she mentioned was the same day Anya was scheduled to meet the Harrington Family.She was about to refuse when Carmen leaned in,flashing a bright smile.

"Miss Morrison wouldn’t still be upset over what just happened,would she?"

Before Anya could respond,Chris’s voice turned sharp."That’s enough.We don’t have time for this."

Anya glanced at Carmen’s pitifully aggrieved expression and remained silent for a long moment.Then,with a calmness that sent a chill through the air,she said,"I understand.I’ll be there that day."

Upon hearing this,Chris was frozen in his place.Carmen,on the other hand,smiled,the corners of her lips curving upward in satisfaction.

"I’ll be waiting for you."

If anyone knew she was about to attend her boyfriend’s lover's birthday party,the entire circle would surely laugh at her.

However,Anya simply let out a cold,mocking smile.

On the way back,Chris spoke to her in a gentle tone."Anya,when we get married in the future,I’ll design your wedding dress myself.Something truly one of a kind,just for you."

His dark eyes gleamed with anticipation as if he could already picture their future."I will never let you be inferior to anyone."

Anya suddenly spoke firmly,"Chris,I don’t care about the dress.What I care about is loyalty.If you ever betray me,there will be no future for us."

His expression stiffened for a brief moment,but then he smiled at her,soft and reassuring."What are you saying?Apart from that one incident,I have never done anything to hurt you.Trust me."

"When we get married,I guarantee your wedding dress will be ten thousand times more beautiful than the one today."

Anya looked at his gentle face,but her heart ached as if it were being torn apart.

If he truly cared,why did he betray her?Why did he trample on the love they once shared?

A wave of sorrow surged within her and she really wanted to confront him to vent out.

However,in the end,she simply closed her eyes.As you wish,I won't love you anymore.

Chris continued talking about wedding plans as if he were trying to soothe her.Unfortunately,Anya’s heart was already in ruins,filled with nothing but cold irony.

Only she knew that there would be no future between them.And she would never marry him.