A young girl crazy in love would only think that the world was trying to stop her from achieving her happiness. So, I handled it my way.

Being brash and unafraid of consequences, I trespassed onto the territory of our enemies, while men on both sides were engaging in an intense brawl.

Even now, I still have no idea what I wanted to prove by doing that. Was I trying to prove my sincerity? Or did I just want to strongarm my mother into giving in?

My mother had rushed over like a madwoman. She used her body as a shield, taking a bullet to the heart for me.

"I'll give in. Be happy with him."

With her last breath, she fulfilled my selfish demand.

Outside the funeral home, rain poured.

Caleb knelt before Mom's photo. He slammed his head against the ground again and again until blood and rain streamed down his face.

"Cecilia, I swear that Quinn will be the only woman I love! I will protect her with my life and make sure she doesn't suffer. If I go back on my promise, I'll die a terrible death!"

I'd believed the passion burning in his eyes, thinking that his warmth would drive away the chill in my heart from my mother's death.

Back in the present, I met Caleb's eyes.

"I'm incorrigible? Have you forgotten everything you said before Mom's grave?"

Caleb seized for a moment. His arm fell to his side.

"Selene's young, and she didn't mean it. Forgive her."

She didn't mean it? I shook my head.

"She must pay for what she said!"

Imbued with a sudden burst of strength, I lifted the bat once again and swung it toward Selene.

The bat didn't make contact with Selene. Instead, it hit Caleb. He'd shielded her with his own body.

When the bat landed on him, he whimpered and paled. However, his hold on Selene hadn't loosened up at all. Instead, he'd pressed her further into his chest.

Just like…

Just like that stormy night back then. Caleb had been covered in blood, but he'd protected me with everything he had.

"Don't be scared, Quinn. I'm here."

I didn't stop hitting him. I even put even more force into it as the bat collided with his body again and again.

Stuck in a trance, the sound of him consoling Selene broke through the haze in my head.

"Don't be scared, Selene. I'm here."

…

All the anger and madness drained out of me. My arms fell, and the bat thudded to the ground.

I stood in place, disoriented, and watched as Caleb anxiously asked Selene whether she'd gotten spooked. He didn't even care about his own injuries.

Then, I looked up at him. The love and warmth in his eyes had disappeared, only to be replaced with disdain and disappointment.

At that moment, I understood.

He had thrown away our past, as well as the tears and promises he'd made, even though he'd nearly sacrificed his life to have me.

It wasn't a misunderstanding, nor was he just playing hard to get. Caleb genuinely didn't love me anymore.

"I was wrong about you, Quinn. I used to think you were just reckless and headstrong because you were spoiled. Yet, Selene merely said something wrong, and you wanted to take her life. Turns out you're an evil woman through and through."

He pulled Selene till she was flush against him, as though he wanted to become one with her.

Selene took the opportunity to wail in his arms.

"I'm scared, Cal, I'm scared! I don't want to see her!"

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

After pressing a kiss onto the top of Selene's head, Caleb continued glaring into my eyes.

"You can't stand her, Quinn? Then I will."

He stopped looking at me. Caleb bent down and gathered Selene into his arms. Then, he brushed past me to leave our house.

The door slammed, the sound echoing through the empty mansion.

Caleb did not come back until the day he published his official statement on breaking ties with the Stewart gang.

The Stewarts used to rule Ashville. However, as different national powers came to light, the Stewarts had started shifting their focus to their overseas businesses. Caleb took advantage of the Stewarts' power and utilized his own ruthlessness to make a name for himself.

It was only a matter of time before they received notice of his departure from the Stewarts.

I sipped my tea, not offering a reaction.

Jason continued ranting angrily about Caleb.

Shortly after moving out, Caleb brought Selene to many exclusive events that he'd only have been able to enter on account of being married to the daughter of the Stewart family.

They flaunted their love unabashedly. Caleb pulled her chair out, helped her put her coat on, and wiped at the corner of her mouth constantly. Selene became the subject of envy for all the women in Ashville.

News about them flooded headlines from financial papers to entertainment tabloids. Caleb's love was passionate, and he wanted everyone to know about it.

Jason trembled with anger when he saw on his tablet that Caleb had won a bid for an expensive blue diamond and gifted it to Selene.

"Ungrateful bastard! How had he sworn on his life before Mrs. Stewart? How dare he do this? How dare he humiliate you like that? Mr. Stewart is overseas, not dead … Does Caleb really think there's no one left in the Stewart gang?"

I sat by the window, looking out at the overcast sky without replying.

A parcel came with no return address. I opened it to reveal a velvet box. Inside was the golden bracelet with Caleb and Selene's initials, the one she'd shown off to me.

"Cal said he'll marry me. You're going to be unwanted after this. This golden bracelet is an apology gift. Sell it off for some pocket money, Ms. Stewart."

I studied the bracelet and note for a long time. Then, I huffed out a laugh.

"Help me post a letter, Jason."

A month later, Caleb and Selene had their grand wedding. Caleb had reserved the most expensive seaside hotel in Ashville and invited all the elites in the city.

Selene wore a custom luxury wedding dress with the blue diamond on her ring finger. She hooked her arm into Caleb's, who was looking at her with adoration gleaming in his eyes.

"Mr. Caleb Larson, do you take Ms. Selene Gardner to be your lawfully wedded wife or better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, till death do you part?"

Gazing lovingly down at Selene, Caleb's smile widened.

"I do–"

The sound of a gunshot cut him off.

In the chaos, a man with sharp eyes in a button-down had approached Caleb from the back and held a Damascus dagger to his neck.

"So, you're the one who betrayed Quinn?"