Marcus gently patted her back. "Lily, this isn't your fault."

Then he looked at me with pleading eyes. "Look, Claire, Lily really didn't mean for this to happen. Last night was genuinely an accident."

I leaned back in my chair, watching the scene unfold. My voice was calm as I said, "Ms. Bardot, you don't need to apologize."

Lily looked up. There was a flicker of hope in her eyes. "You... You forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive because you didn't do anything wrong. You were sick, needed help, and called someone you knew. That's perfectly normal."

Lily's eyes brightened further. "Ms. White, you—"

"But Marcus made a mistake," I said as I turned to him. "He chose to leave during our engagement ceremony, in front of 200 guests. That was his choice."

"But..." Lily's voice grew weaker. "Marcus was only trying to help me."

"I know. I don't blame you. But I also can't accept a man who abandons me at our own engagement party."

"So you're calling off the engagement?" Marcus's voice hardened.

"Just because of this, Claire? I was just helping someone who needed it."

"This isn't the first time." I cut him off.

"What?"

"This isn't the first time," I repeated. "Marcus, Lily's been back in the country for three months. What have you been doing for her during those three months?"

He froze.

"The first time, she needed someone to pick her up from the airport, so you ditched our anniversary dinner. The second time, she said she was scared to be home alone, so you drove over at 3:00 am.

"Then, the third time was when she was moving. You spent the entire weekend helping her and missed my dad's birthday."

Marcus's face went pale.

"It's been 18 times in total, Marcus. 18 times. Every single time she said she 'needed help,' you immediately took off."

"That's because she really was in trouble—"

"And I'm not?" I asked. "Last month, when I had a 102℉ fever, where were you? You were helping Lily move. Marcus, you never once asked if I needed you."

"That's because you..." He couldn't finish.

"Because I what? Because I'm too independent? Too strong?" I stood up.

"While Lily..." I looked at the woman, who was still crying.

"She's exactly the type you like. Someone who needs you, depends on you, and makes you feel important."

"Claire, you..." Lily's expression changed. "What are you trying to say? Are you implying something about me?"

"No, Ms. Bardot. I'm simply stating facts. You said you didn't know last night was our engagement party?"

She hesitated. "Y-Yes. That's right."

"But three days ago, Marcus posted about it on Instagram. The picture was of the engagement party invitation. It clearly showed the time and location."

The air froze.

"You liked it," I continued. "You even commented, 'Congratulations! Can't wait to celebrate with you guys!'"

Lily's face went completely white.

"Claire!" Marcus suddenly slammed the table and stood up.

"What are you implying? Are you saying Lily deliberately sabotaged our engagement?"

"I'm simply stating facts."

"This is slander!" Marcus's voice rose.

"Lily just lost her husband, so her emotions are shaky. She needs help, and you're questioning her? Claire, when did you become so vicious?"

Lily suddenly spoke, her voice tearful yet carrying an undertone of something else. "Ms. White, I know you have some misunderstandings about me, but..."

She lifted her head. The flash of satisfaction in her eyes was quickly masked by a look of grievance.

"Actually, Marcus already told me he'll take care of me. I might be staying at his apartment for a while."

"What?" I looked at Marcus.

"Claire, it's not safe for Lily to live alone. The doctor said she needs someone to look after her." Marcus's voice held a trace of guilt.

"Marcus said that as family, this is what he should do." Lily's hand gently touched Marcus's arm.

Marcus didn't pull away. Meanwhile, Lily looked at me, her eyes glowing with victory.

I looked at Marcus and suddenly felt exhaustion overcome me. "Get out. Please just leave."

"Claire..."

"I said get out." My voice was cold. "Or I'll call security."

Marcus stared at me. His expression was a mix of anger, unwillingness, and a hint of hurt. "Fine. If that's what you want, then so be it.

"Claire White, you're going to regret this."

He pulled the still-crying Lily toward the door. Just then, Lily suddenly turned back, and our eyes met.

In that instant, all the fragility disappeared from her face, replaced by naked triumph. After the door closed, I sank back into my chair. My hands were trembling.

That evening, I received an email from Marcus. I stared at the screen for a long time before finally opening it.

"Claire, I've been thinking all day. You're right. I did put Lily first.

"But I didn't do it because I love her. I did it because she needs me.

"Claire, you're too strong. You can handle everything on your own. You don't need me to go to the doctor with you, and you don't need me to comfort you.

"But Lily needs me for everything. She makes me feel needed, important.

"I've decided Lily will continue staying at my apartment. Her mental state isn't suited for living alone, and the doctor also recommended she have someone to look after her.

"Claire, I need to do the right thing. I need to take care of Lily until she gets better."

After reading the email, I laughed. It was not a happy laugh, but a laugh of relief. He finally said it. What he wanted wasn't me, but that feeling of being needed.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a long time. Finally, I typed just one line.

"Marcus, thank you for your honesty. I wish you and Lily the best."

After that, I blocked his email address.

I suddenly felt hollow. Not because I lost Marcus, but because I'd spent two years with the wrong person.

My phone vibrated again. This time it wasn't an email. It was an Instagram notification highlighting that Lily had posted something new.

I opened it. In the photo, Lily stood on a modern minimalist balcony with the city skyline in the background. That was Marcus's apartment. I'd been there many times.

She wore a silk robe, held a coffee mug, and had a serene smile on her face. The golden glow of the setting sun bathed her, making her look gentle and blissful.

The caption read, "Thank you, Marcus, for giving me a warm home. In my darkest moments, having you by my side is what kept me going. The feeling of home and new beginnings feels amazing!"

The comments section exploded.

"Isn't this Marcus Harrison's apartment? I saw it in an architecture magazine!"

"So they're living together now?"

"Claire White just called off the engagement, and this woman moves right in?"

"That was fast."

"She's not even trying to be subtle."

There were people defending Lily too.

"She just lost her husband. What's wrong with needing a little care?"

"Marcus is her cousin. Taking care of family is normal."

"Claire's just too cold. She doesn't understand other people's pain."

I stared at the photo. We'd had drinks on that balcony together, admired the nighttime view of the skyline, and talked about our future. Now another woman stood there, staking her claim.

I opened Lily's profile. She'd posted many photos recently.

She was making breakfast in Marcus's kitchen, reading in Marcus's study, and even curled up on the couch wearing Marcus's shirt. Every single photo told a single message—that this was her territory now.

And in the comments, she always replied in a similar way, "Marcus is so good to me. I'm so lucky to have family like this. He said he'll always take care of me."

Each sentence was like a needle jabbing at my heart. No, it didn't hurt, but it woke me up to the truth.

I finally saw it clearly. Marcus didn't want love. He wanted a sense of achievement. Meanwhile, Lily didn't want help. She wanted a replacement.

And I didn't need any part of this circus.

I closed Instagram and leaned back in my chair. Outside, the night was dark, but the city lights blazed bright.

The city kept turning, but my life felt like someone had hit pause on it. I opened my contacts and scrolled through the screen. Names of my colleagues, clients, and friends flashed by.

Finally, I stopped on one name. I stared at it, and my heart suddenly raced. I hesitated for a long, long time before I dialed the number I hadn't called in years.

"Claire?" That familiar voice came through, surprised, with a hint of nervous tension.

"Tomorrow night, 7:00 pm," I said. "Meet me at the restaurant by the sea."

"Okay." He didn't ask why and just said, "I'll be there on time."

"And," I paused. "Dress formally."

"Okay."

…

The next evening, I carefully applied my makeup and changed into a deep blue cocktail dress. I arrived at the fine-dining restaurant by the sea half an hour early.

Ever since college, I would come here whenever I went through a breakup. I sat by the window, watching the ocean outside. The sun was setting, turning the surface of the water golden.

Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a text from Diana.

"Claire, the company board held an emergency meeting. They said the company's image was damaged when you called off the engagement, and even the stock price was affected.

"Claire, please. Can you two just talk this through?"

I deleted the message, but another message soon came in. This time from my mother.

"Claire, do you know what you're doing? You know the power Marcus's family holds in this city. Calling off the engagement now will affect your career."

I simply turned off my phone. It was five minutes to 7:00 pm when the restaurant door opened. To my surprise, Marcus and Lily walked in together.

"Claire, I knew you'd be here." Marcus saw me and strode over.

Lily followed behind him, wearing a victorious smile on her face.

I frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"Claire, I know you're still angry, but we need to talk."

"There's nothing to talk about."

"Claire, you need to be reasonable." Marcus sat down across from me.

"Calling off the engagement doesn't benefit you, and your position at the investment bank needs my family's support. You need to understand. Without me, you're nothing."

Lily stood behind him and said gently, "Ms. White, Marcus is right. I don't have to live at his apartment if you really mind."

"But…" she pivoted. "You also need to understand Marcus. He's just kind and wants to help me. With how aggressive and unreasonable you are, what man could handle that?"

"Claire," Marcus continued, "I'm giving you one last chance. If you apologize now and admit you were wrong, I can forgive you. Our engagement can continue."

He glanced at Lily and added, "Of course, Lily will continue living at my apartment. That's non-negotiable. She's a family member I need to care for. This arrangement works for everyone."

Lily lowered her head, but the corners of her mouth curved into a smile. I slowly stood up, my gaze cutting into Marcus like a knife.

"Marcus, thank you for coming tonight. You've made me even more certain my decision was right.

"You think I can't survive without you?" I laughed.

"Marcus, you think way too highly of yourself. I earned my position at the investment bank and built my own career. I don't need anyone's support.

I looked at him and continued, "As for marriage, I don't need a man who treats me like a tool. I don't need a man who expects me to understand while he takes care of his ex-girlfriend.

"Marcus Harrison," I said, enunciating each word. "It's not about the last chance you've given me. It's—"

"Claire!" As the restaurant door opened again, a familiar voice rang out.

Everyone turned to look. A tall figure stood in the doorway, backlit so his face wasn't clear, but he held a bouquet of sunflowers.

Yes. Not roses, but sunflowers. My favorite flower.

When Marcus saw who it was, his face completely changed. He recognized Ethan Roberts, heir to Northguard Group, a company worth a thousand times more than Marcus's family business.

"It's that I already have a better option," I continued, looking at Marcus's shocked face.