My father left me billions in inheritance.

Yet, I was on the brink of death, and the person I loved no longer wanted me.

I had once accompanied him to Milan, walking with him as the plane trees shed their leaves onto the streets. But just when I loved him the most, he let go.

Later, I left resolutely, but he went mad with grief.

Now, a new business mogul held my hand tightly, a carefree smile on his face, and said, "Sorry, Rachel doesn't go back to the past, nor does she pick up discarded things."

1

Kaden Wilson's secretary, Megan Turner, arrived.

The media buzzed about her being Kaden's new lover and painted me as a discarded woman.

"Rachel," Megan called.

"Call me Mrs. Wilson," I replied, stubbornly clinging to the last shred of my pride.

Megan paused for a moment, then her smile widened. "Mrs. Wilson, I'm here to borrow a gown. Tonight, I need to accompany Mr. Wilson to a business event and I need something a bit more formal."

Megan, with her impeccable figure and striking looks, was Kaden's efficient assistant.

She was sharp, and I always seemed to be at a disadvantage when dealing with her.

More than once, Kaden and I had argued because of her.

"Kaden sent you?" I hesitated, but the question slipped out.

"No," Megan replied smoothly. "I actually had the gown ready a week ago, but when I tried it on today, I accidentally spilled red wine on it. I was worried it might reflect poorly on Mr. Wilson, so I came to borrow one from you."

I couldn't help but laugh at how she'd convinced herself she was concerned about Kaden's reputation.

Suppressing my rising anger, I said, "Alright, follow me."

I led Megan to my walk-in closet. "Help yourself. You can try on anything you like."

"This place is huge," Megan remarked, her gaze lingering on the jewelry displayed beside the wardrobe.

"Is it?" I said, smiling with indifference. "It's just alright."

"But you're spending Mr. Wilson's money," Megan added with a hint of challenge.

I chuckled. "Is that so? You've got it wrong. The money I spend is all mine. Kaden—he's not as wealthy as I am."

I settled on the sofa. "Even if I were spending Kaden's money, so what? Maybe someone would want to spend it but can't."

Megan shot me a defiant look before turning to select a gown. Her taste was impeccable; she immediately gravitated toward the strapless champagne-colored gown I had displayed prominently.

The gown exuded elegance and sophistication with its strapless design that highlighted the collarbone, its fitted cut, and the countless tiny diamonds embedded in it. The lantern sleeves added an extra touch of grace.

It was a unique piece designed by a renowned designer, and the brand was called Stardust. Each diamond symbolized a star, representing eternal love.

Once upon a time, I, too, believed in eternal love, but now it seemed rather laughable. Rainy days never had stars, and my love was anything but eternal.

Megan circled the gown, a mysterious smile on her face.

"Rachel, can I wear this one?"

"This gown has been worn by me several times and isn't the latest style. You can choose something else. The new arrivals are in the east section; I haven't worn those."

"But I want this one. I don't mind if it's been worn before."

"And what about jewelry?" I asked, my tone growing colder.

Megan walked over to the jewelry area, and her eyes settled on my favorite diamond necklace.

"What about this one? It's pretty ordinary. I doubt you'd miss it, would you?"

Megan's eyes were full of challenge.

It was my fault for being too accommodating, making her genuinely believe I wouldn't get upset.

I used to be fierce and unyielding, and she seemed to have forgotten that.

The champagne-colored gown was custom-made for me by Kaden, and the diamond necklace was what I wore on our wedding day.

Choosing the stunning champagne gown was one thing, but including my prized necklace was an outright provocation.

I let out a derisive laugh.

"Megan, you seem to have a real thing for other people's stuff. Since you want it so badly, just take it," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "Some people are just born trashy, always thinking someone else's is better and desperately trying to snatch it away. If you want to pick up what others have discarded, who am I to stop you?"

I was so angry that I couldn't remember how to temper my words, just wanting to tear into Megan.

I looked up and saw Kaden standing in the doorway.

He walked towards me, his gaze unreadable. "Rachel, you keep saying how much you value the things I gave you, but you're just handing them out to people you barely know. Is that so?"

Megan's face shifted through a range of emotions, and I found it amusing.

I'd thought Kaden might be upset about me picking on Megan, but instead, he was clearly jealous.

Megan, who prided herself on winning Kaden's heart, was clearly thrown off by his words. This was too entertaining.

I met Kaden's gaze with a smirk. "So what should I be doing? Kaden, you say you value me, yet you've been inviting people into your home."

"I didn't invite her."

"Mr. Wilson." Megan's voice was frantic.

"Get lost," Kaden snapped with an authority that brooked no argument.

Kaden seized my wrist. "Rachel, if I hadn't shown up, would you have just given away the dress and necklace I gave you? Even sent them off?"

"Then what should I do? What do you want from me?"

I turned and slapped Megan across the face, challenging Kaden with my eyes. "Is this what you want?"

Megan was stunned into silence.

"Surprised? When you come to provoke me, you should be ready for a fight. Do you take pleasure in sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?"

I hurled my wine glass at Kaden's feet. "Are you happy now? Is this the result you were aiming for?"

I stormed upstairs, and Kaden followed.

"Kaden, tell that woman to stay away from me. I'm not in the mood to deal with her. I've warned you, my temper isn't great."

"Is this a threat?"

"Call it what you like. Just keep her away from me. I find her repulsive."

Kaden let out a sarcastic laugh. "You're mistaken, Rachel. It's not that she stole me away—I chose her willingly. Sure, she doesn't compare to you in many ways, but so what?" He looked at me, his words cutting sharply.

"Why have you turned into this?" I stared at him, stunned.

Kaden sighed, "Rachel, I don't know when it happened, but I've stopped wanting to come home and I don't see you the way I used to."

I looked at him, feeling a growing sense of alienation.

When do we both change so much?

"To be honest," Kaden continued, "I'm fed up. Rachel, I'm tired of you only seeing me in your world. I'm tired of your lack of self. Everything you do just irritates me. You're not the person you used to be. Maybe we should take a break; it'd be better for both of us."

"Is this all that's left for us to say?" I smashed the wine glass on the floor, shards scattering and wine spilling like our shattered love.

Kaden sneered. "What did you expect? Rachel, your love is too heavy for me. I've tried to placate you, but if you're going to keep making a scene, I have nothing more to say."

"This is your idea of placating me?"

Kaden chuckled twice, clearly dismissing my words. After he left, I bent down to pick up the shards, cutting my hands in the process.

Lily Barton came over with gloves and was startled by the sight of me. "Rachel, are you okay?" She handed me a tissue and went to get the first aid kit. "Don't do anything rash. You…"

I looked at the cuts from the glass. "Lily, you're misunderstanding. I didn't mean to do anything drastic. I just… I just wanted to clean up the mess."

Lily, who had been with me since the Parker family, was one of the few who called me Rachel rather than Mrs. Wilson. It was a reminder of how things used to be. Kaden used to call me Rachel, too, but now he was someone else entirely, and we couldn't go back.

Kaden hadn't been home for half a month. He'd been staying at the office or elsewhere, never coming back. Seeing me in such a state, my friend Rebecca Johnson dragged me away on a trip.

We booked tickets to visit a friend's orchard. It was huge and filled with pear trees. I climbed up and picked a bunch of fruit, following Rebecca's lead.

In the car, Rebecca glanced at me. "Are these for Kaden?"

I stayed silent, afraid of her reaction.

When we got back to Oakland, I went to Kaden's office.

Standing outside the building, I called him. "I went to a friend's orchard a few days ago. They had a lot of sand pear trees, and I picked a bunch. I thought you might like to try them. The staff said you haven't been home lately and are probably busy, so I won't come up. I'll have the receptionist send them up. Come home when you're done."

I added softly, "Don't you miss me?"

I knew Kaden was more responsive to a softer approach, and I admit I was trying to butter him up.

His assistant, Zach Stone, told me that Kaden and his female secretary were nothing more than a show—Kaden was just trying to get under my skin.

I wasn't even sure what I was doing, only that I wondered if there was still a chance for us to make things right.

I took one more step forward—that was all I could do.

Rebecca followed me home, frustrated. "Rachel, has this guy saved your life or something? Can't you take a page from my book and be a bit more carefree?"

The living room lights were dimmed to the lowest setting, casting a somewhat yellow hue over the space.

I poured myself a glass of peach wine and downed it in one gulp. "We're both in the same boat, Rebecca. You're not so carefree either. You and that guy have been in contact, don't think I don't know."

I sighed, feeling a sense of melancholy.

"It's been ten years, and you're still entangled. Love unrequited, and hate has taken root. Rebecca, do you think we'll end up like you?"

Rebecca remained silent.

I received an audio message from Zach.

In the audio, Megan's voice carried a hint of sarcasm: "What are these? Sand fruits? Aren't those crabapples? Why such a rustic name?"

"What does it matter what she calls them? Get out, and don't come in without my permission in the future."

"Mr. Wilson, I..."

"Get out!"

I closed the audio and took a sip of water.

I couldn't quite figure out what Kaden's feelings for me were, but I realized that I didn't seem to love him as much as I once did.

What remained was just a sense of reluctance to give up.

Later in the evening, Kaden returned. He fell silent for a moment before standing in front of me, blocking my view of the TV.

"Rachel, there's really nothing between Megan and me. From start to finish, it's only been you. Those harsh words I said before, there was some pettiness in them..." He tried to explain, appearing as awkward as he had been in the beginning.

Despite the warm atmosphere, I couldn't help but ask probing questions.

"You're mine, but is your heart also mine, and mine only?"

Kaden's smile faded visibly.

"Kaden, will you always be with me?" I pressed.

I'd always been this way, needing a definite answer from everyone.

I had to ask repeatedly to feel a little sense of security.

"Maybe not," Kaden looked at me.

"Why can't you just lie to me?"

"The truth might be hard to hear, but it's real."

"But I want to be with you until the end."

"It's time for bed."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Kaden, you say you love me, but why are you so ambiguous with your relationship with other women?"

Kaden leaned down to kiss me. "Rachel, just drop it."

My heart was filled with bitterness.

"You say you love me, but why can't you just have me?"

Kaden smiled. "Rachel, you know I don't like it when people harp on the same topic."

I laughed until tears came to my eyes.

I thought, What is Kaden thinking now?

He is probably thinking about his first love.

But where is his first love now?

Kaden wiped away my tears. "Come on, just drop it. I'm tired."

I pushed away from his embrace.

"Kaden, five years isn't exactly a short time, is it?"

"Five years isn't exactly long, either," Kaden said, reaching out to pull me back.

"Kaden, the whole of Oakland knows I'm your legally wedded wife."

"Rachel, the whole of Oakland also knows that my first love wasn't you."

Kaden's words were the final straw that broke the camel's back. It felt as though a sharp blade had sliced through my heart, cutting deep with every word.

"So, after all these years, you're still thinking about her, aren't you?"

"Rachel, you can't control who I think about. I don't want to argue with you or hear you say these things…" Kaden looked at me with an unmistakable trace of irritation.

"Then what do you want to hear?" I said, throwing my hands up in despair. "Do you want to hear from Madelynn? Where is she now? She's dead."

Yes.

Kaden's first love, Madelynn Hartley, was dead and gone. He would never see her again.

Madelynn was Kaden's first love when he was 18. I watched their relationship evolve from strangers to lovers, but they broke up in her sophomore year. It was a messy split—filled with arguments and hurtful words, ending with neither of them looking back.

Ironically, Kaden once hated Madelynn for abandoning him and betraying him. Yet lately, he seemed to be lost in thought, staring at her photos.

Perhaps the dead hold a more profound allure than the living.

But Kaden seemed to have forgotten that it was he who begged me to stay with him, never to leave.

"Kaden, when Madelynn was alive, you said you hated her and loved me more than anything; but now that she's gone, you constantly compare me to her, saying she was better in every way. Kaden, aren't you just pathetic? Now that Madelynn is dead, you start reminiscing about her. What about all those times you insisted I was different from others…"

I huddled in the corner, feeling the chill of betrayal.

Kaden crouched down in front of me. "Rachel, if loving me is this painful, maybe we should just end it. Let's get a divorce."

My heart ached with a sharp pang.

"Kaden, I'm pregnant."

"Have an abortion."

"Alright." I answered numbly.

Kaden's reaction was surprising as if he had expected something more dramatic.

"Kaden, don't you dare regret this," I said, my voice hollow and ghostly.

"Rachel, I never regret anything," he replied.

I chuckled bitterly—my own foolishness on display.

"Kaden, you've been hurt by other women, so now you're taking that pain out on me, right?"

Kaden didn't respond.

Exhausted both physically and emotionally, I left the operating room.

I was supposed to gain a family member, but now that wasn't going to happen.

It wasn't my choice. Whether I loved or hated Kaden, I wanted a child.

I wanted to be with him and to remind myself repeatedly that I wasn't alone.

But in the past six months, I had been taking medication for heart pain and asthma complications, making it impossible to guarantee the health of the baby.

So, the child would never come into this world.

I called Kaden. "Kaden, take me home. This is the last time. After this, we're done."

"Where are you?" Kaden's voice was tinged with annoyance.

"Rachel, I'm in the middle of signing a contract…"

I closed my eyes, realizing that my call was poorly timed.

"Rachel, go home by yourself. As for the divorce…"

I took a deep breath.

Kaden, our relationship will end up like Margaret and Armand's.

The more you torment me, the more you'll owe me when you finally understand the truth.