As soon as he shed his black coat, he crossed the room and pulled me into his arms, the cake box in his other hand.

I instinctively pushed him away, the sharp scent of expensive perfume hitting me like a slap.

Confusion flickering across his face, his eyes fell on the empty dining table.

“The food’s cold. I thought you’d already eaten out, so I tossed it.”

It took him a moment to process before he placed the cake on the table and nuzzled my cheek.

“Sorry, Eliana, I couldn’t return for your birthday.”

Then, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small gift box. Inside, nestled in velvet, was a dazzling necklace that shimmered like stardust.

He smiled at me, that familiar glint in his eyes. “Do you like it? I saw it on a business trip to England. I thought of you the moment I saw it; it seemed made for you.”

At that moment, I had no strength left to argue, to question, or even to care. I had no right to do any of it anymore.

Let him do whatever he pleased. It didn’t matter.

So, with a flat tone, I simply said, “I like it.”

He seemed oblivious to the coldness in my voice. Gently, he brushed my hair aside, his fingers warm as he began fastening the necklace around my neck.

As he fastened the necklace, a sudden thought struck him, and he spoke, “Don’t let the trending searches get to you. Delilah and I grew up together. After all these years, she’s like a little sister to me.”

His flimsy excuse hit me like a cold breeze, filling me with nothing but disdain and disappointment. I was left momentarily speechless.

Like a sister? The way they had embraced in those photos, intimate, even tender, didn’t look like anything siblings would share.

Even now, he still thought I was naïve. Did he really think he could have it both ways?

But I couldn’t bring myself to challenge him. I simply nodded, the movement stiff and automatic, and muttered, “Hmm.”

His gaze then landed on my suitcase, and a flicker of confusion crossed his face.

“Why’s your suitcase out? Are you leaving?”

I hesitated, almost instinctively wanting to lie, “It’s just nothing, I just…”

But before I could say anything, his phone rang urgently.

He glanced at the screen, his expression shifting in an instant. Without a moment’s hesitation, he answered the call.

A few seconds later, he tossed a quick, “I have something to take care of. Go to bed first,” grabbed his coat, and rushed out the door, not sparing a second glance.

Watching his figure disappear down the hallway, an unexpected wave of relief washed over me.

Good. He was gone. Now I could finish packing in peace.

With quiet determination, I packed my clothes into the suitcase, each item slipping into place like pieces of a puzzle. As I folded them, memories of our time together flickered in my mind, playing out like a silent movie.

Before long, exhaustion crept in. My body, tired from the physical strain, felt heavier with every movement. The weight of my broken heart threatened to pull me under, leaving me hollow, as though my very soul had been drained.

Dragging my feet, I stumbled toward the bathroom to wash away the remnants of the day.

Just as I was about to lie down, the buzz of my phone on the bedside table jolted me awake.

My heart skipped a beat.

Fearing it was something work-related, I summoned every ounce of energy to move. With effort, I pried my eyes open and reached for my phone.

A friend request notification flashed on the screen.

When I saw “Delilah” appear, my hand stilled.

By all logic, she was my rival; I should’ve declined immediately.

But something pulled at me, some unseen force that had me clicking “Accept” before I even realized it.

Almost instantly, a video appeared in the chat window.

A storm of emotions churned inside me as my finger hovered over the screen. With a shaky breath, I tapped play.

The video flickered to life, filled with swirling smoke, and I recognized the familiar setting of the Evans family’s private clubhouse.

Daniel sat at the center, exuding effortless calm. Felix lounged beside him, casually throwing out words that made my stomach churn. “Daniel, now that Delilah’s back, your family’s engagement is basically a done deal. What about the one at home? Your mother won’t let any obstacles stand in her way.”

My heart dropped, the weight of his words sinking in like a stone.

Daniel’s lips curled into a mocking smile, his voice cool and detached. “She’s just a distraction. I’m not marrying her. My mother can’t do anything about it.”

The words struck me like a knife to the chest, leaving me gasping for air.

“Well, that’s how we rich kids operate, isn’t it? Always keeping something on the side.”

His words blurred into nothingness, the truth of what I was to Daniel crashing over me.

A plaything. That’s all I had ever been.

Years of devotion, love, and sacrifice, all for a cruel joke in his eyes.

Unable to watch any longer, I dropped my phone, the weight of his betrayal suffocating me. Tears streamed down, soaking my pillow.

Just then, a loud commotion broke through my grief, followed by the unmistakable sound of fireworks exploding in the distance.

Instinctively, I slid the window open, the night air hitting me with a chill. Bright fireworks exploded in the sky, a magnificent burst of colors that should have been beautiful, but to me, they were nothing more than cruel reminders of what I had lost.

My heart felt like it had been cast into an icy abyss, its weight sinking lower and lower.

Before I could pull myself from the dark abyss of my thoughts, my phone buzzed again. Another message from Delilah.

Another video.

The scene unfolded in Evercrest, where the night sky was set ablaze with a breathtaking fireworks display.

Beneath the brilliant lights, Daniel knelt, holding a stunning engagement ring, his gaze locked on Delilah, filled with something I had never seen for me: genuine affection.

“Delilah, will you marry me?”

Her face lit up, radiant with joy, and without a moment’s hesitation, she answered, “I do!”

The sound of cheers and applause rang out from the crowd, a chorus of congratulations that seemed to mock the emptiness in my chest.

Then, another message popped up.

[I once mentioned wanting fireworks over Evercrest just for me. So, he arranged for the whole city’s fireworks to go off in my honor.]

[Did you really think you were important to him? You were just a toy, one he’d toss away when he was done with you.]

The words hit me like a thousand needles stabbing deep into my heart, the pain so raw it left me gasping for air.

I had once believed love was a bond of sincerity, something that would be reciprocated, but I was nothing more than a cruel joke to him.

I had been too naive, lost in my own web of illusions, only to be left battered and broken in the end.

That night, social media erupted.

[The Crown Prince of Innovex Group Proposes to Miss Delilah Watson at Evercrest!]

The headline shot to the top of the trending list, climbing to unbelievable heights as if mocking my pain.

The comment section flooded with blessings, an endless tide of congratulations pouring in like waves, drowning me in their hollow cheer.

But every kind word felt like a dagger, piercing deep into the already fragile pieces of my heart.

With trembling hands, I dialed my agent’s number, my breath shallow as I waited for the call to connect.

The moment I heard Reagan Collin’s voice, I didn’t waste a second. “Reagan, I want to terminate my contract.”

My agency had long been backed by Daniel’s investment. If I wanted to sever all ties with him, canceling the contract was the only way to truly escape.

I had worked tirelessly through the grind of the entertainment industry, my wealth built on years of sweat and sacrifice.

I knew I had more than enough to cover the termination fee.

With Daniel behind me, I could finally carve my own path in this chaotic, unpredictable world.

"Did you talk to Daniel? Did he agree?" Reagan’s voice came through the phone, surprised and concerned, as if she was struggling to grasp the weight of my words.

"I can cover the termination fee, Reagan. I want to leave." I took a deep breath.

Reagan had always been my rock, a beacon of light in the dark, guiding me through the labyrinth of the entertainment world, offering chances when I thought none were left.

There was a heavy silence on the other end, time seemingly frozen as the tension hung in the air.

Finally, Reagan’s voice broke the stillness, soft yet unwavering. "Alright, I’ll take care of it for you. I hope you find happiness from now on."

"Find happiness," those simple words struck me like a quiet thunderclap, their meaning deep and profound.

It was something I had secretly jotted down on a scrap of paper during one of the company’s annual parties, a small wish amid the festive chaos, something I never thought anyone would notice. But Reagan had.

The sky was still wrapped in the dim embrace of dawn when I stepped into the taxi, the engine’s hum a distant echo to my troubled mind.

Since learning about Daniel’s proposal the night before, sleep had eluded me. Restlessness had taken root deep in my chest, an ache that wouldn’t fade.

That kind of proposal had once been my greatest dream, a fantasy I held close to my heart. But now, it was given to someone else, and of course, someone like me was never meant to be a part of that dream.

When the taxi pulled up to the hotel, I turned my phone to silent, hoping for a brief escape, even if just for a moment.

I sank into a deep, dreamless sleep as though my mind was running away from the pain.

When I finally stirred, sunlight had already slipped in through the curtains, filling the room with a soft, golden glow. I glanced at the clock: two in the afternoon.

Still groggy, I reached for my phone. My fingers froze when I saw the screen flashing with over 50 missed calls.

Before I could even catch my breath, the phone rang again, its sharp chime cutting through the heavy silence of the room.

Daniel’s voice came through, tinged with anxiety. "Eliana, where did you go? Why is everything gone?"

I stayed quiet, my heart tightening at his words.

When the line fell silent, I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to remain composed.

"Mr. Evans," I said, my voice calm, "I’m deeply grateful for everything you’ve done for me, for my career and life. I will spend the rest of my days repaying what I owe you. But I know you’re getting married now. It’s time for us to let go."

"Eliana, please, can you come back? I, she and I, " His voice cracked with panic, a rare vulnerability that I hadn’t expected.

I didn’t want to hear another word. His voice, no matter how urgent, couldn’t shake the resolve that had solidified in my chest.

Without a second thought, I ended the call and immediately blocked him from every possible way of reaching me.

And in that single, quiet moment, I felt something I hadn’t in ages: freedom.

As night fell, the city lights blinked to life, each one casting a soft glow on the world below.

To mark this turning point, I decided on a gathering. I invited Lyla and Reagan to dinner. We had weathered storms together, colleagues through thick and thin. Saying goodbye was never easy, but it felt like the right time to leave on good terms.

I chose the most talked-about restaurant in town, the one that had recently gone viral.

But as my hand touched the door of the private dining room, my steps suddenly faltered.

Before me stood two figures so familiar that they seemed carved into the very essence of my being.

Delilah, with her affectionate hold on Daniel’s arm, walked in slowly, the two of them moving with a grace that seemed almost unreal. Together, they looked like they had stepped right out of a fairytale, so perfect, it was blinding.

Delilah’s eyes locked onto me almost instantly.

As I took a step forward, her voice cut through the air, sharp and sweet.

"So, you're Miss Lewis! I’ve heard so much about you. Thank you for staying by Daniel’s side all these years. I hear you’re an artist under Summit Entertainment. Daniel will make sure you have plenty of good opportunities. It’s the least we can do for you."

My eyes drifted instinctively to Daniel.

His gaze, colder than the deepest winter, sent an unexpected chill through me.

And when his eyes met mine, it was as if I were a stranger, someone who had no part in his life anymore.

At that moment, a cold emptiness spread through my chest, leaving nothing but a hollow ache. Disappointment crashed over me, a tidal wave that pulled me under, drowning me in its depths.