Keiran wrapped his arms around Claudette from behind, breaking her thoughts with his sudden warmth. “It’s been ages since we felt close like this. I miss it.”

Claudette instinctively shifted away, and at last, Keiran seemed to catch on. “Why have you been so distant lately, not even letting me near you? Have you met someone else?”

Seeing the accusation flash in his eyes, Claudette almost laughed. Here he was, the one betraying her, yet he dared to act like the wounded one.

“You’re reading too much into things. I’m just tired. Still haven’t quite adjusted after the trip.”

Keiran’s phone wouldn’t stop buzzing, each alert followed by some flimsy excuse, a quick trip to his study, another urgent call.

Claudette watched him slip away each time, clearly messaging Corinne. “They’re planning a get-together. I won’t be long.”

Feigning understanding, Claudette urged him on, watching as he left. The moment he was gone, she headed to the bathroom, scrubbing at her skin where his touch lingered, each swipe of the soap an attempt to erase the lingering ache.

As expected, he never returned. The next morning, his assistant’s call was all too familiar, saying he had too much to drink and stayed at a hotel, so she did not need to worry.

The next morning, Claudette opened her phone to a message from Corinne, complete with two photos. One captured Keiran cradling Corinne, a sickeningly tender moment. The other displayed a gleaming necklace, a gift from him to Corinne.

[See this, old woman? This necklace is Keiran’s way of apologizing to me. What’s the point in keeping him around when his heart’s clearly mine?]

Yet Claudette’s gaze lingered not on the woman in his arms but on that necklace, its emblem unmistakable. It was from the “Love” collection, the very line Keiran had chosen for his first gift to her back when he took over the family business.

Claudette had always admired the brand's designs, and to her, "Love" had symbolized everything their relationship stood for. Keiran had even bought the entire line, placing it under her name to ensure it was hers alone.

But now, the "Love" necklace hung around another woman’s neck, its significance shattered. What had once been her exclusive symbol of their love was now tainted. She had once intended to keep it as a reminder of their bond, but now, it seemed more like a bitter memory.

With a quiet resolve, she pulled out the custom pieces she had left, and without hesitation, sold them all.

The countdown had begun.

Three days left.

Lately, whenever Keiran returned home, it seemed that more and more of Claudette’s things were gone. The house, once filled with her presence, now only echoed with the things he had bought. Each day, his unease grew as if he could feel the emptiness creeping in around him.

Keiran had been anxious ever since Claudette had disappeared once before. He handed over his company responsibilities to avoid another repeat of that nightmare. He instructed his staff to leave him be unless absolutely necessary.

One quiet morning, the sound of clanging dishes echoed through the house. At first, Claudette thought there was an intruder, but when she entered the kitchen, she found Keiran cooking.

“You’re up! Breakfast’s nearly ready. Just sit tight for a minute; your royal meal will be served soon, courtesy of your knight in shining armor.”

“Thank you,” she replied.

Her simple words froze him in his tracks.

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head and returned to his task, clearly lost in thought.

Perhaps it was guilt or some attempt to make amends. Still, Keiran surprised her later by taking her to an amusement park.

“Why are we here? Didn’t you once say only childish people come to places like this?”

Claudette remembered all too well the last time she had begged Keiran to visit the amusement park. He had looked at her with disdain, mocking the idea as something beneath him. He hadn’t even bothered to enjoy himself, and after a few quick photos, they had left.

Keiran’s smile was playful, almost mischievous. “I’ll always be a kid at heart when I’m with you, Claude. So, I think I’m more than qualified to bring you here.”

In response, Claudette caught Keiran's smile, offering only a faint curve of her lips. In the past, she would have been swept away by it, but now it barely touched her. Her nod was almost mechanical, as though she were going through the motions.

Keiran bought tickets and led her to the Ferris wheel, his hand guiding her like it had so many times before. As others screamed in delight, clutching their boyfriends in excitement, Claudette sat still, savoring the peaceful thrill of the height, her gaze fixed on the horizon. At the top, Keiran turned her face toward him, and their lips met in a strangely distant kiss.

Whispers floated through the air around them. People gazed at Keiran, amazed by how romantic he was compared to their own boyfriends.

“Claudette, I love you!”

But Claudette didn’t react as Keiran had hoped. He squeezed her hand tightly, attempting to play it off with a grin. “Aren’t you happy? You once told me that if two people kiss at the top of the Ferris wheel, they’ll be together forever.”

Claudette’s lips barely moved as she responded. “That’s just a fairy tale for kids. Don’t believe in it.”

Keiran wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “Are you upset because I haven’t been spending enough time with you? We’ll always be together, won’t we?”

Claudette remained silent, and Keiran grew increasingly anxious, his need for reassurance growing with every passing second. “Right?”

In an attempt to coax her into a response, he playfully nipped at her neck, his teasing tone laced with a hint of frustration. “Take off the last word.”

It was as if he couldn’t rest until she gave him that final “right?”

“Okay, yes.”

Only then did Keiran release her, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

Countdown: The Last Day.

Today was Claudette's birthday, and Keiran had spared no expense in organizing a lavish celebration for her. The entire city knew that the CEO of Harris Corporation had an adored girlfriend, someone he had cherished for years, and women everywhere envied Claudette for it.

Keiran kept her by his side as if his grip on her would somehow prevent her from slipping away. But lately, he couldn’t ignore the coldness that had begun to creep between them. She seemed to show more warmth to a neighbor than to him, and the realization stirred a deep unease and fear within him.

Determined to prove to the world that they were the perfect couple, he seized this moment to solidify their image.

After the party, Claudette checked her phone. She found a series of angry messages from Corinne, each laced with mocking words and accusations that Keiran truly loved her instead.

For the first time, Claudette responded with a single line.

[If he loves you so much, then let him make it official. Have him let you stand by his side openly, like at today’s birthday party.]

Her words struck a chord with Corinne. [Just wait. I’ll show you who Keiran values more, me or you, and make you give up once and for all.]

As Claudette started to head upstairs, she caught sight of Keiran rushing down the stairs. She paused, knowing what had just happened; Corinne had messaged him.

“There’s something urgent at the office that I need to handle. I might be late; why don’t you go ahead and sleep, okay?”

“Keiran, I want you here. Didn’t you say you wanted that too?”

Claudette looked into his eyes, eyes she once believed were the purest, most beautiful, now shadowed by the filth of lies.

Keiran hadn’t expected her to respond that way, but he quickly made his choice. “Then wait for me. I’ll be back soon. I promise to make it up to you, Claude.”

He brushed past her without a second thought, oblivious to the deep disappointment in her eyes. Claudette nodded, but just as he turned to leave, she called out to him, her voice soft but firm. “Keiran, no matter what happens, always be honest with the one you love most. Don’t wait until it’s too late, and all you’re left with is regret. Nothing stings more than that.”

Keiran almost turned back, his unease growing with her cryptic words. But the persistent ringing of his phone urged him to keep moving. With a quick nod, he rushed into the elevator.

Claudette watched him leave, her heart turning to stone. The door closed, marking the end of their world together.

“Mr. Collins, be here in thirty minutes!”

Knowing Corinne would call Keiran away, Claudette had already made arrangements for someone to retrieve her last belongings. Before she left, she snapped her SIM card in two and tossed it into the trash by the door.

Goodbye, Keiran.

Goodbye to seven years, and I’ll never get back.

On her 28th birthday, Claudette made a silent wish: “Keiran, I’ll never love you again.”