"Cecilia, who do you think you are to make decisions for me?"

Samuel's face was filled with anger, his eyes fixed on me without blinking. It seemed he hadn't expected me to agree to FirstLove's proposal on his behalf.

I looked back at him calmly. "Isn't this what you've always wanted?"

Samuel frowned, clearly displeased with my reaction. "Even if I plan to marry Sophia, I don't need you to make promises on my behalf. This has nothing to do with you."

Sophia glanced at me with a hint of subtle triumph. "Alright," she said, pretending to mediate, "I just got back. Why don't Cecilia join us for dinner?"

"Aren't we meeting other friends tonight?" she added casually, "We can also discuss the details of my wedding with Samuel. After all, I'd love for Cecilia to be my bridesmaid."

Just yesterday, Samuel had finally agreed to introduce me to his friends. I was thrilled, thinking he was ready to acknowledge our relationship in front of them. But with Sophia's return today, my dream was shattered.

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "I can't make it tonight; I have some work at school," I said, turning around without giving Samuel another glance.

Samuel unexpectedly grabbed my hand and pulled me to a secluded spot. A flicker of hope ignited within me, hoping this would be the moment Samuel chose to leave with me, reassure me that he wouldn't marry Sophia, and declare that he wanted to be with me.

I would apologize, tell him agreeing to Sophia's proposal was just a spur-of-the-moment retaliation.

Samuel looked at me, struggling to find the right words. Finally, he decisively said, "Cecilia, let's not see each other for a while. Sophia has come back asking for my help. I plan to marry her. Her family's company, Uthonis Group, is at a crucial point and needs an investment from my family. Sophia agreed to marry me, and I can't bear to disappoint her."

Can't bear to disappoint her, but you're fine with disappointing me?

He placed a black card in my hand, trying to comfort me. "Buy whatever you want. I'll marry Sophia in name only to help her through this tough period. Three months later, once her company's situation stabilizes, we'll divorce, and I'll come back to you."

"What did you say?"

I stared at him, feeling like my heart was being ripped apart. "Don't worry. Sophia and I, we know each other well. It's just a performance for her company's shareholders. You know, she's against the idea of marriage; marrying me is just a temporary measure."

"Samuel, are you breaking up with me?"

In the distance, Sophia's gentle urging could be heard.

In these three years, I've experienced this countless times. The first time Samuel and I went on a date, he abandoned me in the cinema after receiving a call from Sophia. I didn't dare ask him to stay. The second time we participated in a student project together, he left halfway to handle Sophia's company affairs, instructing me to finish his work.

The third, fourth, fifth times... I begged him not to leave.

The sixth time, we were lying in bed when Samuel received a video call from Sophia in the middle of the night. He pushed me aside, and I cried my heart out while he went into his study without even glancing at me.

Even on the day my beloved grandfather passed away, Sophia had returned for a casual get-together, and once again, Samuel abandoned me on the coldest day of my life. I learned to warm myself in solitude, no longer seeking his attention.

From initial silent endurance and pleading to now calm acceptance, all I've ever received were his useless guilt and expensive gifts I never cared for.

And then, he'd leave again without hesitation.

I was never the one truly chosen.

Samuel could no longer tolerate it when he heard Sophia's call.

He raised his hand and absently touched my face, once again reminding me, “Cecilia, it’s just three months. Wait for me, the breakup is only temporary.”

I stared at the necklace around his neck and quickly snatched it away. "It seems to be broken. I'll take it off and fix it for you."

Samuel waved dismissively and hurried towards the love of his life.

I pulled out my phone and called Professor Marshall, “Professor Marshall, it’s Cecilia. Is that exchange spot you mentioned still available? I agree to go abroad.”

Not even three months, I didn't want to wait three days. Unfortunately, the procedures for going abroad were quite complicated and couldn't be completed in just three days. My passport and visa were ready, and the school told me I could depart in a week. In seven days, Samuel and I would never see each other again.

As I was immersed in packing, I received a call from my best friend, Wendy. She was yelling angrily on the other end, “Cecilia, what’s going on? Why did I see Samuel and Sophia on a date at the Prudential Center? Aren’t you two together? How could he be dating someone else behind your back?!”

Hardly anyone knew about my secret relationship with Samuel, and Wendy was one of them.

“If I didn’t know you and how much you’ve always loved him, I would’ve thought you were after his money. He’s never acknowledged your relationship in front of anyone in these years. He’s no good!”

Hearing my prolonged silence, she panicked and immediately apologized.

I smiled and reassured her, telling her I wouldn’t be sad anymore. Wendy was surprised and quickly asked, “Don’t lie to me. Are you really over him?”

"Really, don’t worry about it, I..."

I thought back to the foolish things I had done. Whenever I saw Samuel and Sophia together, I would masochistically snap pictures and endlessly look at them when alone.

Seeing them so intimately together, seeing how perfectly they matched, I used to cry my heart out in the dead of night.

Every past struggle, self-loathing, and futile pleading, Wendy knew it all. She tried to persuade me countless times to come to my senses. But continuing my secret relationship with Samuel was like drinking poison to quench thirst. Even knowing I’d ultimately be the one in pain, I couldn’t resist the temptation.

I put on my headphones, carrying a large box filled with the expensive but useless gifts Samuel had given me over the years. I planned to throw them all away.

Wendy’s incessant chatter continued in my ears as I walked down the stairs, smiling and planning to tell her that I’d agreed to the exchange program and ask if she could see me off in a week.

To my surprise, I ran right into Samuel and Sophia downstairs.

Samuel hesitated, intending to approach me, but Sophia suddenly grabbed his arm and slid her hand naturally around his.

“Cecilia, what a surprise to see you here.”

She stood there, dressed in an elegant pearl-white dress, looking so graceful and beautiful that it was hard to look away. No wonder every single time, Samuel would leave me to choose her.

I had encountered this kind of situation more than once. In the past, seeing Samuel and Sophia together would turn my face into a mask of pain.

Samuel, worried that I might stare hard at Sophia and scare her again this time, quickly stepped in front of her.

I took off my headphones and didn’t end the call with Wendy but switched it to speaker.

I glanced at her lightly, “This is downstairs from my dorm. I just came to throw some trash.”

Wendy had already heard Sophia greeting me and couldn’t wait to shout through the phone, “Cecilia, hurry up and dump the stuff! I’ve lined up a date with a hottie from Brandeis University. Latecomers have to drink!”

I couldn’t help but laugh, that little trickster, always coming to my rescue.

“Sorry, guys, I have plans and need to go now.”

With that, I ignored Samuel’s stiff body as I tossed the box into the dumpster.

As I turned, someone suddenly grabbed my wrist.

“Hey, these pieces of trash... aren’t they the new Piaget jewelry collection?”

“And look, Bowers & Wilkins speakers encrusted with diamonds...”

Sophia seemed to realize something, and her face turned bleak. She forced a smile and said, “Cecilia, how could you bear to throw away such expensive things?”

Samuel tugged at my hand. Initially, he didn't care about the trash I had discarded, but upon hearing Sophia's words, he glanced at the discarded items with a frown. They were all gifts he had given me.

His expression darkened.

I looked at Samuel's neck where the custom-made necklace I had given him was now missing. I had personally put it on him on his birthday, and had also taken it off myself.

“These are just things I don't need anymore. Some are still quite new. If you like them, feel free to keep them.”

Among the discarded items, the necklace I had given Samuel stood out.

I finished speaking, freed my hand from Samuel's grasp, put my headphones back on, and swiftly walked away. I fully expected Samuel to reprimand me for disrespecting his ‘goddess’, but to my surprise, he let me leave without a word.

For the next week, I thought I wouldn't have to see Samuel. But unexpectedly, he cornered me at the library entrance. His eyes shadowed, he startled me as I exited. I tried to bypass him and continue walking, but he grabbed my hand firmly. His gaze was full of impatience, a look I had never encountered before.

Samuel’s expression turned into disbelief as I seized the moment to pull my hand free and asked, “What do you want? Didn't we break up? Aren't you worried about what people will say, seeing us like this?”

Something I said must have hit a nerve. He seemed agitated.

“Didn't we agree on three months? Sophia and I are just playing along! You’re my girlfriend, why are you acting out like this?”

Not sure if he was being serious or just putting on a front, I looked at him, emphasizing each word: “I broke up with you as requested. We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

Samuel started to panic. He moved closer to embrace me, but I stepped back and held up my hand to stop him.

“Cecilia, what's going on? Are you jealous again?”

“Stop it. I know it was wrong of me to ask for a temporary break, but Sophia asked me for help—I couldn’t refuse. And let's not forget, I publicly announced my engagement to Sophia. If people see us together, it won’t be good for her reputation.”

Even now, explaining and asking for my understanding, he couldn’t stop talking about her. I was done listening.

“There’s no need to explain anymore. You wanted to break up. I agreed. If you’ve loved Sophia for so long, and if she wasn’t against marriage, wouldn’t you have been together already?”

“Why not take this opportunity to turn your act into reality, and fulfill your long-held wish?”

Samuel cut me off, looking irritated. “Sophia and I are not in a relationship! She’s just a childhood friend. I help her when she’s in need, that’s all!”

His words didn’t stir any emotions in me.

Whether she was a family friend or an unrequited first love, it no longer concerned me. If she was just a friend, why would he leave our dates midway to help her repeatedly? Disappear when I lost the most important person in my life. Not even a call or text to apologize afterward.

“I don’t care what your relationship with her is. You don’t need to inform me. Just don’t disturb my life anymore.”

Samuel was about to say something, but the vibration of his phone interrupted him. I glanced at the caller ID—it was Sophia.

Not wanting to linger, I turned and walked away. Behind me, I overheard Samuel answer the call, his voice tender and gentle.

“Sophia, what’s wrong… I’ll be there right away.”