For Percival Morgan, I did not hesitate to break ties with my family at the age of twenty.

I accompanied him for seven years in starting his business, enduring hardships almost unbearable.

In a leaky basement, Percival held me tightly as he cried and swore,

"Tessa, I will give you the most magnificent wedding in the future!"

Later, Percival indeed succeeded in business, becoming the revered Boss Morgan.

But on the eve of our wedding,

I saw Percival smiling tenderly and affectionately at another woman.

Years of companionship completely turned into a joke. Looking at the cancer diagnosis report in my hand, I said without any hesitation,

"Victor, I’m willing to go abroad for treatment."

“As for Percival's company shares, please sell them for me.”

...

After witnessing the troublesome client sign the cooperation agreement, I felt significantly relieved.

Despite the exhaustion from staying up late for a week, I couldn’t suppress the urge to share the joy with Percival. But just as I was about to dial the number, I saw Percival through the transparent glass window of the neighboring restaurant.

The smile that hadn’t fully bloomed on my face froze when I saw a young girl kiss Percival on his cheek.

Reflected on the window was my disheveled and ridiculous appearance, while the two people inside remained completely oblivious.

Percival had some cream smeared on his face, but he was not the least bit upset, smiling tenderly and indulgently:

“Stop it, we're eating.”

The girl pouted, leaning close to Percival, and said playfully:

“Kiss me once, and I’ll stop.”

Without pausing his shrimp peeling, Percival carefully wiped the cream off her lips before gently pecking her lips:

“Happy now?”

When I came to, I was dizzy, swaying a few times before I managed to steady myself against the wall.

The person inside, was it really Percival?

My lips were bitten so hard they bled, yet I couldn’t feel any pain.

Knowing full well that it was Percival inside, I stubbornly and pathetically dialed his number, my hand trembling.

Through the glass, I saw Percival freeze for a second upon seeing the caller ID before answering the phone.

I clenched my fist tightly, suppressing the tremor in my voice:

“Percival, where are you?”

Percival’s tone was as gentle as ever:

“I’m at the company, what’s wrong?”

“The company?”

My voice tightened as I said,

“Alright then, I’ll come find you right now.”

The girl beside Percival’s expression changed because of my words, she hastily tugged at his sleeve.

“I’m about to meet Boss Hollis. Just wait for me at home.”

Without waiting for me to respond, Percival continued,

“Gotta go, Tessa, I’m leaving now.”

After hanging up the phone, the girl immediately complained:

“Percival, you promised to spend time with me. Why did you answer her call?”

Percival lightly tapped her nose, saying:

“I only talked for a few minutes. a little jellybaby.”

Percival’s soothing tone was the same as before. Looking at the falling leaves on the street, I was reminded of the past events from seven years ago.

Back then, I hadn’t yet grown alongside Percival into the present Boss Tessa; I was merely a spoiled young lady, relying on Victor’s affection to act recklessly.

Because Percival was two minutes late for our date, I was so angry that I ignored him for an entire week.

Percival softly tried to coax me in that soothing tone of his:

"Tessa, please don't be mad anymore, okay?"

I pouted and turned my back on him, refusing to acknowledge his presence. But then he exclaimed, "What's that?" which made me turn around, only for him to seize the moment and pull me into his arms.

His heartbeat was steady and strong, but his voice was gentle:

"The reason I was late that day was that I was in line to buy you your favorite cake."

...

Tears unknowingly streamed down my face, and before I could wipe them away, I noticed I had a new friend request on my phone. The moment I accepted it, a girl named Fiona Hollis sent me several messages:

"Did you know your beloved boyfriend cheated on you?"

"He doesn't love a woman with a masculine personality like you, Percival."

Attached to these messages was a recording.

Fiona asked him, "Between Tessa and me, who do you really love?"

Percival's voice was hoarse with satisfaction as he kissed Fiona's forehead and said, "Of course, it's you."

Fiona sent another message:

"Percival loves me the most. If you know what's good for you, pack your bags and get lost!"

Most beloved.

Percival had once said countless times that I was his greatest love in this life.

I was the pampered young lady spoiled by Victor, while Percival was a penniless boy.

While I was flying to France in a private jet to watch a fashion show, Percival's parents were causing a scene in the school principal's office, trying to embezzle his scholarship.

I had countless suitors, and back then, all Percival had was his looks and his deep love for me.

He pursued me for an entire year.

In spring, just because I mentioned wanting to see cherry blossoms, he spent all his hard-earned money on tickets to Xethon. I always suffered from summer malaise and couldn't stand the cold air from the air conditioner, so Percival would fan me throughout the night.

In autumn, when the school gymnasium collapsed, everyone was frantically running outside. Only Percival, with red eyes and a frantic look, charged into the wreckage. He threw himself over me just in time to shield me from a falling beam.

In that moment, the lock on my heart completely opened. I took Percival home to meet Victor, but Victor's attitude towards him was terrible.

When I was twenty, I severed all ties with my family in a fit of rage, determined to make Victor apologize for his contempt towards Percival once Percival proved himself.

Over the years, supporting Percival's startup, I lost track of how many drinks I'd had and how many clients I secured.

The once lofty young lady now groveled at banquets for a single order.

Percival once cupped my face, drunk, and said word by word:

"Tessa, in this lifetime, the person I love the most is you."

Percival only came home the next day.

Despite his best efforts to mask it, I could still smell the other woman's perfume on him.

Unaware of his indifference, he said:

"Tessa, I just heard from the secretary that you managed to secure the Oriven Group's order."

The Oriven Group was a tough nut to crack, and partnering with them was proof of one's capability.

I had put in all that effort to win the Oriven Group project to prove something to Victor, to show him that Percival was worthy.

But I only just realized yesterday.

Everything I had done was nothing but a joke.

Percival’s mood was seemingly great as he leaned in to kiss the corner of my lips, but I instinctively dodged.

He paused and then said to me, "Tessa, have I been too busy lately and neglected you? I promise, I’ll spend more time with you from now on, okay?"

Percival’s personality wasn’t the best, likely due to his upbringing, but when he was with me, he was always sincere and gentle.

Once upon a time, I felt smug for being Percival’s one and only in this world. But after seeing him comforting another woman just yesterday, all that was left in my heart was disgust.

A weak smile tugged at my lips, but Percival didn’t notice anything was wrong and continued, “Tessa, the wedding dress is almost done. Your beloved sweet peas will be delivered next month. Shall we pick out the invitations together soon?”

When he brought up our upcoming wedding, the anticipation and hope in Percival’s eyes seemed genuine. If he hadn’t cheated, I might have been touched.

I interrupted him, “You go by yourself, I don’t have time.”

There was a fleeting look of hurt in Percival’s eyes, and then he said, “Tessa, what could be more important than our wedding? I can handle the company; you should focus on the wedding preparations, alright?”

I looked into his eyes and said, “I just landed the project. I need to follow up. I can’t leave it.”

Percival's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and he murmured, "Tessa, you’re becoming more of a businesswoman now. I often think back to when we were in college, back then…”

His reminiscence was abruptly cut short by the ringing of his phone.

Seeing the caller ID made his expression change, and he told me, "Tessa, I need to take this."

I didn’t know what Fiona said on the other end, but Percival’s face turned furious shortly after the call connected. Without even a word to me, he rushed out of the house, slamming the door so hard it shook the walls.

Percival’s brief appearance was like he’d never been home. I glanced at an old photo lying on the floor; it was the two of us from seven years ago, so young and naive.

After losing my family’s support, I had relied heavily on Percival, feeling anxious even when he went out to get food, leaving me alone at home.

My current composed and capable demeanor was forged through sheer determination and the struggles we faced together, hoping for a better future.

But now that Percival had succeeded, he seemed to long for the old me.

My health had been declining since we started our business. After months of stomach pain, I hadn’t found the time to see a doctor. Just a moment ago, when I bent to pick up the broken photo frame, a sharp pain hit me, leaving me breathless.

I curled up in agony for a while before reaching for my phone. Pathetically, even knowing Percival had cheated, my love and dependence on him were still deeply ingrained.

Before I realized it, I had already dialed his number.

“Tessa, what’s wrong?”

The pain had me bowing my head, "Can you come home? My stomach really hurts..."

I heard the urgency in Percival's voice and the sound of a car starting, “Tessa, hold on. I’m coming back right now.”