"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.