[Bianca, even if you want to get married, you shouldn't use a wedding dress to force him.]

[Do you really think buying a dress means that Lars will marry you? Stop dreaming!]

[He promised me long ago. I'm the only one he'll ever marry!]

At midnight, the streets of Riverton were still busy and bustling.

I sat quietly in my car, watching Pearl's messages come in one after another. I didn't respond to any of them.

It wasn't until one in the morning that I finally went home. To my surprise, the lights were on.

When Lars heard the door, he couldn't hide his anxiety and got up. "Where were you? Why were you so late?"

"Just went for a drive," I said as I took off my coat.

He stepped closer, reaching out to hug me. I instinctively pulled away.

"Still angry at me? I was a little harsh today," he said before pausing for a moment. "If you don't want to work anymore, then don't. As long as you're happy."

I lowered my head and said nothing.

"By the way, your birthday's coming up." I looked at him. "Any plans?"

He looked at me softly. "I'll stay home and celebrate with you, of course. Just the two of us."

He tried to hug me again, and this time, I didn't refuse.

He seemed relieved, holding me close in his arms and whispering, "Bianca… I feel like you've changed lately."

"You're overthinking it." I slipped out of his arms and headed for the bathroom. "I'm cold. I'm taking a shower."

If this were in the past, he would have noticed right away and wrapped me in a coat before holding me tight. Now, he didn't notice my almost-frozen fingertips or hear the shudders in my breath.

"Oh, right!" he said suddenly, and he followed me into the bathroom. "Where are your toothbrush and cup? They're missing."

I stopped. "Hygiene products should be replaced regularly. There are new ones in the cabinet."

At that, Lars didn't say anything more.

After my shower, I curled up in bed, ready to go to bed, but my phone started buzzing nonstop. It was Pearl again. She was sending one screenshot after another.

This time, the timeline stretched way back. One year ago, two years ago…and even much earlier. Every message came from Lars.

[Pearl, I listened to you and started dating. She's nice… Her smile is just like yours.]

[Being around her, I always feel like I'm back in those days with you when we were still young.]

[Pearl, I dreamed about you. How have you been?]

It was only after Lars bought two key properties in Riverton that Pearl started replying more frequently. That was when they began sharing their daily lives.

Two years ago, when the lemon tree I planted finally bore fruit, Lars took a photo of it and sent it to her right away.

[Look, the lemons grew well. When they're ripe, I'll bring the biggest one to the office and make lemon juice for you.]

The cold light from my phone screen reflected my expression that I barely recognized. I had always known there was something between them, but knowing and seeing it with my eyes were two different things.

Seeing Lars telling Pearl every little detail I had poured my heart into…

At that moment, I realized that being a replacement for someone else was so much more disgusting than betrayal.

[Bianca, even if you don't leave, the only woman Lars will marry is me!]

[I know you don't want to give up your company shares, considering you helped him build the business. So, be smart. I'll ask him to give you one hundred thousand for the severance.]

One hundred thousand?!

I couldn't help but laugh, almost to the point of tears. A hundred thousand… It wasn't even enough to cover a meal at my new fiance's wedding banquet!

Then, the bedroom door opened. Lars stood at the door, holding up his phone, his face tense.

"Bianca, did you put the watch I gave you up for auction?"

That was what mattered most to him. His luxury watch, with a starting bid of one dollar.

"Bianca, did you put the watch I gave you up for bid?"

I smiled lightly, and lied without hesitation.

"That wasn't my watch. Didn't Candice and her husband get a matching set, too? She wants to switch to a new one, so she asked me to help sell hers."

Lars stood there for a few seconds, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "Really? For a dollar?"

Then, his tone softened.

"Bianca, I know I've neglected you lately." He sat on the edge of the bed and reached out for me. "If you're upset, just tell me. Don't bottle it all up and stress yourself, okay?"

"Alright," I said.

"After my mom passed away last year, you're all I have left." His voice was low. "Trust me. No matter what happens… You've always been the most important person to me."

I leaned against him in his arms, catching a faint whiff of rose scent on his jacket.

"It's late. I want to sleep," I whispered.

"Let me hold you a little longer," he said. "Is something bothering you lately? Just give me a few more days. Once things settle down, we can talk."

Yeah, right.

He had been busy lining up for cakes, planning birthday surprises, filling trunks with pink roses, and making Pearl happy without me noticing. True, he was quite busy indeed.

Lars looked at me, brushing the corner of my eye. "Why are your eyes red? Were you just crying?"

I was about to answer, but his phone rang.

Lars let go and turned away to answer it, frowning as he walked out. At that moment, every bit of tenderness disappeared from his face.

I remained where I was and called his name:

"Lars."

Yet, he didn't even look back.

I got up and walked to the window, watched as he hurried downstairs and drove away, his last words still echoing in my ears:

"You've always been the most important person to me."

I didn't need those words anymore.

With a marker, I drew a line across the calendar. Tomorrow was his birthday. It would also be my last night in Eastwind City.

I had already ordered a birthday cake for him. We had spent so many years together, after all.

I shredded our photos on the wall into pieces and threw them in the bin. From now on, this place had nothing to do with me anymore.

Maybe it was because I had missed my meds for days, but I was awoken by my stomach pains early the next morning.

My thoughts went back to the first year we started the company… Just the two of us, and less than two thousand in the bank. To survive, Lars helped me chase clients, and I pulled all-nighters with him. We split hamburgers, and I was drinking for him at parties.

Later, to secure a round of funding, I drank through three parties in a row and ended up with a gastric perforation. The doctor rebuked him right outside my hospital room. Lars sat by my bed, a six-foot-tall man like him, crying like a boy who got into trouble.

"I'm sorry for not being good enough. Staying with me made you suffer," he said.

"I'll never let you down as long as I'm alive," he promised.

How laughable.

I curled up on the sofa, cold sweat soaking my back. I took out my phone and dialed his number. No answer. I called twice more—still nothing.

At exactly ten, Candice called.

"Bianca, he didn't show up at the office again! The paperwork's piling up, and the financing deal is still waiting on his signature. If he disappears again, the company's done for!" she cried.

Rubbing my aching stomach, I answered with a distracted hum.

"And…" Her voice sped up, "I just heard Royce Farrell, the CEO of Radar Finance, is having his wedding next week in Botolph City. If Lars wants to get the company listed smoothly, he must show up and make an appearance. Otherwise, it's all over!"

I froze.

"Wait," I said, my voice hoarse. "Who?"

"Don't you know? Royce Farrell, the CEO of Radar Finance? If the Farrells give the nod, it's almost a guarantee for our company to get listed!"

"Farrell, Royce Farrell," Candice repeated softly. "Bianca, he's born with a silver spoon. Heck, I would say he's born with a golden spoon! We're going all out just to get the company listed, but we have to bet everything on him in the end. Radar Finance? That's just a toy his family gave him to play with."

Royce Farrell… CEO of Radar Finance and heir to the world's most mysterious, family-owned financial empire.

The Farrells controlled core investments in the North and South Grand Continents, with investments spanning military, energy, and healthcare sectors.

Royce Farrell was born into privilege, but he had always been discreet and reserved. He had never stepped into the spotlight—not even once.

I sat by the window, looking out over the city at night, thinking about Royce's name. It felt strangely familiar.

"Oh, right, have you set a date for your wedding? I want a paper invitation… Don't you dare send me a digital one," Candice teased.

I had a faint smile on my face. "It's set for next week. Don't worry, you'll definitely get a paper invite."

After I hung up, I called Lars. I didn't expect him to pick up, but to my surprise, he did.

"You've been calling me repeatedly. What's going on?"

"I just wanted to ask why you haven't been to the office these past few days. What have you been busy with?" I asked.

"You didn't know what I'm busy with?" His tone was mocking.

"If I knew, I wouldn't be asking."

"Then why did you have someone throw paint at Pearl's house? She's terrified! She's always been timid, and now she can't even eat!" he roared; his voice was full of accusation.

I closed my eyes, holding back the pain in my stomach. "She said I did it? And you just believed her?"

"She wouldn't lie," he answered.

Pearl wouldn't lie, he said. In his eyes, I was the vicious villainess.

In an exhausted tone, Lars went on, "Look, can you just stop giving me trouble? Take care of things at the company for me. Pearl's not stable now. She needs someone to accompany her."

I took a sip of warm water. "I can't make it. Gastric."

Lars was silent for a couple of seconds, as if he was fighting back anger. "How many years have you had this gastric problem? Can't you just tough it out? Do you think I'd ask if I wasn't desperate?!"

To that, I said nothing.

Lars then snapped coldly, "Forget it, I'll handle it myself."

"Wait," I stopped him. "Are you coming home tonight?"

He hesitated for a moment before his voice turned icy. "Bianca, are you really going to act up right when Pearl needs me most?"

His words hit where it hurt the most.

What was I even hoping for?

And yet… I still couldn't let go of that last bit of possibility.

"But today's your birthday. It's also our sixth anniversary," I said softly as I pressed my stomach. "You promised we'd spend every anniversary together."

He was silent for a few moments, then gave in. "I… I almost forgot. Sorry, Bianca. I'll come home and bring you your favorite dessert."

I was about to reply, when suddenly a woman's cries pierced the air in the background. It was Pearl.

Lars panicked, not even bothering to hang up. "Don't be scared! I'm here, honey! I'm not going anywhere!"

I hung up instead.

The clock kept ticking. At three in the morning, my phone buzzed, and I received a new Facebook message.

[Bianca, Pearl is having nightmares. Don't worry, I'll be home before sunrise. Wait for me.]

I stared at the message, feeling like I was reading my very own obituary. Without hesitation, I got up and threw his birthday cake and all the food into the bin.

Finally, I opened that message and replied to him.

[Lars, it's over between us.]

With one swipe, I blocked him and deleted his contact.

I pulled out my already-packed suitcase, turned off the lights, and walked out the door. Dawn was almost breaking.

I wasn't going to wait for you this time, Lars.

You called me vicious and heartless, but nothing in this world hurt more than broken promises.

This time…

I would disappear from your world completely.

Me, my memories, and all my worthless love.