Alyssa’s POV

It was the third year since I had been trying to win over Casper Pennington, that aloof, untouchable guy.

Everyone in our circle said I was his one soft spot.

But when I walked in with a custom-made engagement ring, ready to propose to him…

I stopped outside the private room after hearing his buddies teasing him.

“Damn, the number-one beauty in Chicago really lives up to her name. Bro, she even got you to ditch work just to drown himself in love. People said you two were about to tie the knot. I didn’t believe it but looks like it’s actually true.”

“So, when’s the wedding? Don’t forget to send me an invite!”

The lively atmosphere inside suddenly froze.

Casper’s voice was laced with annoyance; he didn’t bother hiding it.

“Who even said that?” he asked. “She’s just a toy. Why would I marry her?”

Everyone inside sucked in a sharp breath.

“You don’t even like her, but you’ve been dating for three years? Then who do you wanna marry? Don’t tell me it’s…”

“It is. Other than her, I’ll never marry anyone else.”

“But she left the country already!”

Casper lowered his head and checked the date. For the first time, a hint of a smile showed in his eyes.

“She said she’d be gone for three years. Back then she broke up with me because she thought I was boring. I’ve learned how to make a girl happy now. She’ll be satisfied for sure.”

My mind went completely blank with a bang.

——

Inside, the conversation went on, his friends suddenly understanding everything.

“So the reason you picked Alyssa—the hardest woman to chase in the whole city—was just to gain experience?”

“All those expensive gifts you gave her, all those surprises… they were all steps in your ‘training plan’?”

“Holy shit, bro, you really are something! If you can conquer Alyssa, then that girl of yours is gonna be easy.”

Even Casper, who was always calm and unreadable, sounded almost like a nervous teenager.

“But she’s not like Alyssa. She’s not like any woman I’ve ever met.

“I just hope I don’t screw up this time.”

Someone cautiously asked, “And… what if you still can’t win her over? Are you seriously planning to wait for her your whole life?”

“Why not? I won’t settle. I don’t want to settle.”

“But I heard Alyssa is about to propose to you. If she finds out you’re actually—”

A startling bang suddenly reverberated.

The rest of the sentence was cut off by the sound of the door being pushed open.

I stood there, staring at Casper’s emotionless face.

The engagement ring in my hand suddenly felt scalding hot—hot enough to stop my heartbeat for a moment.

It took me a long time before I heard my own trembling voice.

“So everything you did for me these past three years… it was all fake?

“Casper, why did you have to destroy my happiness the moment I finally felt it was real?”

He was disturbingly calm, making me look like some unreasonable lunatic.

“I never promised you anything. It was all in your head,” he replied nonchalantly.

“We’re adults. I thought you understood that,” he added.

Tears blurred my vision as my voice cracked.

“If you were already acting, why couldn’t you just keep acting? You know I love you—”

“Love what? My status? My power? Or the way people admire you for ‘conquering’ me?

“Alyssa, you’re not built for pretending to be deep and devoted.”

He leaned back on the couch, casual and lazy.

“Cut the pitiful act. Before I approached you, I already did my research.

“You were abandoned by the Ateliers, so you wanted someone powerful to rely on. And I happened to fit your fantasy.

“Fill in whatever amount you want on this check. After today, we’re done. I don’t want to hear your name tied to mine ever again.”

When he finished, he threw the check on the table and walked off without giving me a second glance.

His friends looked at me with pity.

Alyssa’s POV

When he passed by me, he hesitated for a moment, then still reached out and patted my shoulder.

“Alyssa, don’t be too greedy. Know when to stop.”

I slowly tore that check into pieces.

“That woman… Who is she?”

My nails dug hard into my palm. I just wanted to die knowing the truth.

But in the end, no one ever gave me an answer.

Casper protected her too well.

I wandered down the street in a daze. The dim lights at dawn stretched my shadow long.

Snow suddenly started falling from the night sky—tiny white flakes.

But the moment they touched my palm, they melted away.

Just like our three-year relationship, no matter how hard I tried, I could never hold onto it.

Three days ago, we were still standing together on the hotel terrace, enjoying the breeze. He had taken off his coat and draped it over my shoulders.

I’d acted cute and thrown myself into his arms, saying I wanted to watch the year’s first snow with him.

He promised me—said he’d watch the first snowfall with me every year.

Now that it’s finally snowing, we’re already strangers.

Thinking about it carefully, maybe I don’t even have the right to blame him.

Like he said, I approached him with a purpose.

When my father kicked me out, my pride wouldn’t allow me to humble myself and apologize.

And someone as powerful as Casper… became my only option.

I don’t know when things started to change—when my purposeful approach turned into something else.

Maybe it was the time he defended me in front of everyone.

Maybe it was when he never let other women get close, but I was his only exception.

Maybe it was when someone of his status willingly lowered himself for me, acting like a clown just to make me laugh.

I fell for him…

Hopelessly.

The sweeter the memories were back then, the more shattering the pain feels now.

When I called home and asked the driver to pick me up, the housekeeper said Casper had already taken that apartment back.

With nowhere to go, I had no choice but to return to that cold, loveless home of my parents.

The moment I stepped inside, I was met with my father’s cold stare.

He didn’t even bother to lift his head from the couch.

“Hmph, so you still remember how to come back. Haven’t seen you in three years; thought you forgot where your own home was.

“Didn’t you say you’d rather die out there? What, couldn’t manage to die after all?”

My stepmother chimed in, pretending to soothe things.

“Camden, don’t say that. Alyssa is still your daughter.”

“I heard she’s been living pretty well these past few years,” she continued. “Dated some impressive boyfriend, lived in a villa, drove some fancy car—even more expensive than your dad’s.”

“Huh? You came back alone today? Didn’t bring your boyfriend?”

My father let out a mocking snort.

“A boyfriend? He’d have to actually acknowledge her first! Who knows who she’s been seeing these three years? She probably went out there and became someone’s mistress!”

All the resentment I’d buried for three years exploded at once.

I smashed everything I could see, yelling at them:

“Are you done?

“Only a cheating scumbag like you would tell your own daughter to go be a mistress!

“What? You cheated, so now you think every woman in the world is like your mistress? Are you disappointed I didn’t become someone’s side piece?”

My father’s chest heaved. The next second, he shoved a cup off the table, smashing it.

“How dare you talk to your father like that!

“Get out! I don’t have a daughter like you! Get out of my house!”

I glared at him.

“This is the house my mom left me. The ones who should get out are you two!”

“The deed is in my name now!” he shot back.

Tension filled the room. My stepmother rushed over and held him back.

“Stop, both of you. This isn’t the time to fight.

“Merida is bringing her fiancé home tomorrow. Alyssa, you’ve come back just in time. You’ll have to meet him anyway.”

Alyssa’s POV

Dad didn’t say another word and stormed back into the bedroom.

I didn’t sleep at all that night. So when I opened my door the next morning, dark circles under my eyes, I froze on the spot.

Casper walked in carrying an armful of expensive skincare products and right beside him was Merida.

He didn’t look surprised to see me, not even in the slightest.

My stepmother hurried over eagerly to take the bags from him.

“Oh my, you didn’t have to bring anything! Just having you here is enough!”

Dad rushed over, practically shaking with excitement as he grabbed Casper’s hand.

“You must be the Pennington CEO, right? I’ve only ever seen your interviews on TV. I never imagined my Merida’s boyfriend would be you!”

My stepmother shot him a look of pure annoyance.

“What are you talking about? This is Merida’s fiancé. He’s here today to discuss the wedding.”

The moment our eyes met, the whole room felt like it turned to stone.

Back when we first started dating, I’d told Casper everything about my family.

He looked at me like I was his whole world and promised he’d stand up for me one day.

But now, he walked through the door… as my sister’s fiancé.

I’d imagined a thousand possibilities yet somehow never this.

Never that the person he loved… was Merida.

The woman I hate more than anyone in this world.

Life really knows how to be cruel.

That morning, the entire breakfast tasted like cardboard.

Dad fawned over Casper while throwing shade at me between every compliment.

“Merida’s so mature. Even the man she chose is outstanding—not like her sister here. She dated some useless guy and took off for three years. Who knows what kind of trash he was?

“When it comes to picking men, Alyssa, maybe learn from your sister!”

I couldn’t stand listening anymore. I got up and went back to my room.

While I was packing my bags to leave, Merida walked in.

“I just got home, and you’re already running off? Alyssa… you’re not avoiding me, are you?”

I shot back without a hint of politeness.

“Why would I avoid you? You’re just the illegitimate daughter of a homewrecker.

“This house is disgusting. If I stay any longer, I’m afraid it’ll ruin my eyesight.”

Her face twisted with rage, and she grabbed my wrist hard.

“Say that again!”

I yanked my arm free.

“I can say it a hundred times—you’re still a bastard who can’t show her face in the light.

“Your mother stole my dad, and now, you’re following in her footsteps. Like mother, like daughter. Trash creates more trash!”

The moment I turned around, she suddenly slammed herself against the cabinet.

A loud bang echoed through the room.

Casper rushed in immediately.

“What happened?”

My stepmother ran in right after him. One glance and she understood everything perfectly. Tears streamed down her face on command.

“Alyssa, if you’re angry, take it out on me! Why do you always hurt Merida? She’s innocent!”

Dad burst in next, and without even asking, he slapped me across the face.

“Alyssa! Did you come back just to make trouble for me?!

“This house doesn’t welcome you. Get out!”

I held my burning cheek, not surprised at all.

Every time something happened to Merida, I was the one who ended up taking the blame.

I’d seen this same trick too many times.

I was about to leave when Casper suddenly stepped in front of me.

“Sir, based on what you’re saying… Merida has been wronged often before?”

My stepmother started sobbing even louder.

“I truly love Camden, but Alyssa always thought my presence is what caused her mother’s death. So she’s been hostile to me and my daughter…

“Forget it. It’s embarrassing family business; we shouldn’t talk about it.”

Casper’s expression hardened, ready to snap, but Merida spoke up weakly.

“Casper, don’t blame my sister. She’s still young. She didn’t mean it…”