Frank Field, my boyfriend, suddenly sent me a message, inviting me to Starlane Valley, the most famous proposal spot in Seavale.

Excited and dressed to impress, I arrived at Starlane Valley, only to see another woman standing beside him.

As soon as Frank saw me, he hurried over, grabbed my arm, and led me to the woman.

"Evelyn, tell Eve that we barely know each other, and that you just help me out with drinks sometimes, right?"

I stood there, my mind going blank.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I choked out, "So, she's the one you call Eve, isn't she?"

Later that night, Frank sent me a long message, explaining himself.

I casually responded to his message while sitting on the lap of a charming young man.

"Do you think I want something that someone else has discarded?"

-1

"Eve, I'm at Oceanview Lounge. You know I can't handle my liquor."

It was graduation day. I had just moved my belongings back home when I saw Frank's message.

Pulling myself together, I quickly hailed a taxi to Oceanview Lounge.

Soon, I arrived at the private room Frank had mentioned.

As I walked in, familiar faces turned to greet me.

"Hey, Evelyn!" said Hank with a grin.

"Looks like Frank's in trouble with such a strict girlfriend!" joked Ryan.

"I guess this means no more drinks with Frank, only wedding toasts, right?" chimed Lucas.

"Cut it out!" I said, blushing as I walked past them to Frank.

I naturally slipped my arm through his and leaned my head on his shoulder, gazing into his deep eyes.

For some reason, Frank always seemed a bit distant when he was sober.

Maybe he's just shy and not good at expressing himself, I reassured myself.

Despite my efforts to stop the others from pouring drinks for Frank, he still ended up having a few.

Time blurred, and soon Frank was drunk. His cheeks flushed as he lazily lay in my arms.

"Oh wow, Frank's so lucky!"

"When will I get to be drunk and lying in my girlfriend's arms?"

"As if you'll ever find a girlfriend!"

Their banter filled the room, and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Frank, his eyes dreamy, lightly tapped my nose with his finger and murmured.

"Eve."

Whenever he drank too much, he'd start to sweet-talk me, repeatedly calling my name.

I playfully pushed him away.

"We have company."

"Don't mind us, Evelyn!" they teased.

Frank smiled and waved at them.

"Who cares about you guys!"

Then, pulling me close, he whispered, "Do you know how much I love you?"

My cheeks burned hotter, and a smile spread across my face.

"I know."

"Evangeline Field..."

My smile froze on my face.

My name is Evelyn Ward.

-2

I was in panic and almost cried as I shook the already sound-asleep Frank.

"Who is Evangeline?"

"Bro! Wake up!"

Hank yelled at Frank.

Lucas pulled Hank away awkwardly, smiling at me.

"Evelyn, we suddenly remembered there's another party we have to attend. We won't disturb you two."

Ryan nodded repeatedly.

"Yeah, Evelyn, we're leaving."

Hank tried to say something else but Lucas covered his mouth and dragged him out of the private room.

The door closed softly behind me, and I stood there, tears streaming down my face as I looked at Frank, who was still asleep.

I realized my uncertainty about Frank's feelings for me wasn't just my sensitivity and suspicion.

Frank really didn't love me.

All those subtle clues suddenly exploded in my mind.

Every time we go on a date, I always have to wait for Frank for a long time.

Once, I dressed up and put on makeup, even wearing daily disposable contacts. Just as Frank arrived, he answered a call.

"There's something at work, I have to go," he said to me.

Then he turned and left.

Whenever I messaged him, he never replied promptly.

Always at least half a day later, I would receive a casual message:

Last month, Frank, who never knew how to surprise me, suddenly messaged me to go out.

All day, I was immersed in romance and joy.

We sat together in a hot air balloon watching sunrise and sunset, and on a yacht, touching the soft fins of dolphins.

That day, we had many heartfelt conversations.

On our way back to school, he suddenly handed me a carefully wrapped bottle of ckOne perfume.

With a gentle press, the collision of citrus and bergamot lingered casually in the air.

Fresh and sweet, it was the most familiar scent on Frank.

I leaned towards him.

I leaned towards him, "So, my boyfriend knows how to surprise me, giving me his favorite perfume."

Frank spoke cheerfully, "Isn't today your birthday? I picked it especially for you, do you like it?"

I froze for a moment.

"My birthday is still two months away."

Frank fell silent. I felt his embarrassment and hurriedly defended him.

"I really like it, let's consider it a gift for our six-month anniversary."

Frank didn't say anything and parked the car on the side of the road.

Before I could react, he snatched the perfume from my hand, threw it into the trash can, and started the car again.

Looking at Frank, who remained silent beside me, I felt confused and embarrassed. My eyes turned red as I weakly spoke up.

"Frank, I really liked it..."

Frank didn't look at me, his tone returning to its usual indifference.

"It doesn't matter."

-3

That night, I couldn't sleep at all in the dormitory, unable to understand what was wrong with Frank.

At first I thought Frank was secretly upset and blaming himself for remembering my birthday wrong.

Now, it seemed that he suddenly realized I wasn't the person he wanted to give gifts to.

Well, what was the point of giving a gift to a substitute?

So, those wide-leg jeans and loose T-shirts he always gave me were also what Evangeline liked to wear?

He obviously knew I only liked wearing skirts, but every time he told me it wasn't safe to wear them.

I always attributed these actions to—Frank being four years older than me and not liking childish things, so he didn't understand romance.

Frank was just reserved in character, and he was busy with work.

Frank has a bad memory...

But now I could no longer deceive myself.

Where did he have a bad memory? After three years with me, he still called out the name of that woman when he was drunk.

Frank just didn't love me.

Looking at Frank, who was asleep in my arms, I felt nauseous.

I pushed him hard and got up to leave.

Frank lay quietly on the sofa, curled up, holding my hand tightly, mumbling softly.

"Eve, don't go."

I stood there, feeling the warmth of Frank's hand, and my heart softened.

I couldn't stop trembling.

How could I possibly let go after three years of love?

Once again, I carried Frank, who was completely drunk, struggling to walk out just as I had done countless times over the past three years.

For the first time, I realized how heavy Frank was. With each step toward the door, it seemed like I was using all my strength.

Sweat and tears mixed together. Everyone around us stared at me, but I couldn't care less.

After getting off the taxi and arriving at Frank's house, I threw him on the bed. I intended to take another good look at the man I had loved for three years.

But I just sighed and left.

After getting home, I didn't fall asleep until five in the morning.

I woke up again to Frank's phone ringing.

I answered the phone impatiently.

Frank suppressed his anger, seemingly angrier than me.

"Evelyn Ward, why didn't you wake me up and feed me with hangover remedy to sober me up?

"Don't you know I have a very important meeting today?"

-4

I woke up suddenly, shaking off the last remnants of sleep.

I chuckled.

"Frank, I'm not your maid."

Frank finally noticed my change in tone and softened his voice.

"Evelyn, I didn't mean to blame you.

"Isn't this how we've always been getting along?

"You didn't wipe my face yesterday, didn't help me with my slippers or wash my socks, didn't even remind me to drink my hangover remedy. I was just a bit puzzled."

Ha, just a bit puzzled?

Ignoring my feelings, blaming me the moment he woke up—was he puzzled for I suddenly realized I was not his servant?

I tried to calm down.

"Frank, let me say it again. I'm not your maid!"

He was silent for a moment and finally remembered something.

"Evelyn, what's wrong?"

"Who is Eve?"

The words slipped out of my mouth.

Frank chuckled lightly.

"Eve, what are you talking about?"

A chill ran through me, from my heart to my limbs.

"Frank, even now, are you still pretending?

"Evangeline Field is your ex-girlfriend, right?"

Frank remained silent, not saying a word for almost half a minute. It almost drove me crazy.

I yelled hysterically into the phone.

"Frank, say something!

"The first time you saw me, you mistook me for Evangeline Field, didn't you?

"I'm just a stand-in!"

I said a lot in one breath, constantly venting the emotions that had been suppressed in my heart for the past three years.

I never thought that something like this would happen to me.

Until I calmed down again, Frank finally spoke slowly.

"Eve, you must have heard wrong. I said Evelyn Field.

"Have you forgotten? We are already engaged. Isn't it normal to take your husband's name like in ancient times?"

"You can also call me Frank Ward."

"Oh, do I look so gullible?"

There was silence again from the other side.

I sighed deeply. "Frank, I think we really need to re-evaluate our relationship."