I have been in an on-and-off relationship with Declan for seven years. I was the one who ended things, and he always tried to get us back together. But the last time I suggested breaking up, he didn’t try to win me back. Instead, he found someone who bore a striking resemblance to me. To support her, he took away my opportunities. He effortlessly passed the Oscar-winning Actress title, which I had been striving for over ten years, to her. At the award ceremony, a reporter asked if I regretted breaking up. I smiled, raised my hand to show off the diamond ring on my finger: “I’m getting married.” As soon as I said that, everyone saw the usually composed and proud Heir of the Declan Family suddenly have reddened eyes. At a fashion gala, I attended in full glamor but went alone. Reporters curiously asked, “Miss, is Mr. Declan not accompanying you this time?” At that moment, there was a noticeable stir in the distance. I turned to look. Declan stepped out of the car, holding the hand of the woman beside him intimately. Everyone was astonished. It was his first time changing companions in seven years. I was always the one by his side. Now it was Adeline, a famed Rising Star known for her pure image. Entertainment reporters once compared our looks. They found she bore a slight resemblance to me. Declan attending with her felt like a scene from a story where the stand-in surpasses the original. Reporters swarmed around them. I met Declan’s gaze, his eyes indifferent. I nodded politely and turned away to walk inside as if nothing happened. On the way, my agent, Nora, quietly asked, “No wonder Adeline took your fashion resources. I wondered who had her back; turns out it’s Declan. Did you have another fight with him?” I shook my head, “No fight.” “We broke up.” Nora sighed, unsurprised, and advised, “Heiress, it’s only halfway through the year, and you’ve broken up three times already. Each time, Mr. Declan sets aside his ego to coax you. You should consider giving in once, or Adeline will really steal him away.” Yeah. In everyone’s mind, all year round, it’s me causing trouble. Declan is the one placating me. As for Adeline, she’s just a pawn in Declan’s little game with me. If I gave in, Declan would reconcile with me immediately. But I know. Declan isn’t acting out of spite; it’s a demonstration of power. He’s telling me, if you’re not interested, there are others who are. I clenched my fists, the diamonds on my dress pricking my skin, the slight pain making me more aware. “It’s really over.” I said firmly, “This time, I’m truly done with him.”
I’ve been with Declan for seven years. We’ve broken up and gotten back together more than twenty times. I was the one who ended things, and he always tried to get us back together. He’s the Heir of the Declan Family, surrounded by countless admirers, yet he’s willing to set aside his pride repeatedly to make me happy, to win me back. If I just mention missing him, he’d fly across the country to be with me, to hold me. Many advised me not to be so sensitive, arguing over tabloid news. He’s clearly full of love for me, so why break up repeatedly and hurt the relationship? I understood too. But I couldn’t control my emotions, leading to many nights of tears. He would hold me tight, soothing me with his deep voice, “How can it be sensitivity? It’s just that Phoebe loves me too much, feels too insecure. I’m willing to comfort Phoebe.” I asked him, eyes red, “For a lifetime?” “A lifetime.” He answered without hesitation. We were so young then. Love was always fervent, intense, and saying forever seemed so simple, as if it could be achieved just by saying it. But in reality, it was just a thought. Remembering this brought a slight bitterness to my heart. Then Nora asked me, “Why break up this time?” I was stunned, slowly blinking, finally fixing my gaze on the couple not far away, and lightly said: “He wants to get married, and he wants me to be his lover.” Nora was stunned. I withdrew my gaze, drained my glass, and no one saw my flushed eyes. “I told him I wouldn’t.” Nora paled, only murmuring: “Absurd—”
Indeed. So absurd. But Declan didn’t think so. When he mentioned it, he even seemed to take it for granted, “Phoebe, I’ve already talked with Genevieve. We’ll just be a couple in name. Privately, she won’t bother me, and I won’t bother her. We can still be together.” Genevieve. The Heiress of The Genevieve Corporation. Also, the chosen partner for the Declan family’s arranged marriage. I accidentally learned from Declan’s secretary about their possible engagement. I wanted an explanation, hoping for his denial. I never expected such a bombshell. How ridiculous. My boyfriend of seven years was getting married. He wanted me to be his lover. I looked at the man in front of me, my heart unexpectedly stopped for a moment, followed by a furious pounding, making my nose sting uncontrollably. I didn’t know whether to be angry at his insult or sad about my lost love. But Declan just looked at me. His gaze was calm and determined. As if, sure I would agree. After all, I loved him so very much. But I only wanted to ask, “Declan, did you ever plan to tell me you were getting married?” Declan slightly frowned, a hint of confusion in his gaze, “What does getting married matter? Loving you is enough, Phoebe. This is common in our circle, you’ve seen it—” I’ve seen it. Of course, I have. Being with him for seven years. He’s taken me to countless circles and gatherings. I’ve seen couples who pretend to love in front of cameras but are actually estranged, and I’ve seen arranged marriages where both parties do as they please in private. But I never thought it would be the same for Declan and me. We loved each other so deeply. I was sure we’d marry, have children, grow old together. But, I was wrong. Declan never thought of marrying me. All along, it was just my wishful thinking. I withdrew my hand from Declan’s grip, speaking clearly and steadily, “But I don’t want to be your lifelong secret lover.” Declan frowned but patiently explained, “Phoebe, you’re not a lover. You’re my wife, my partner.” “What about Genevieve?” He said nothing. He couldn’t deny Genevieve’s status but still didn’t understand why I cared about her presence. Perhaps we were never on the same path from the start. I lowered my gaze, hiding my reddened eyes, and slowly said, “Declan, I won’t be a Mistress.” “Phoebe, don’t you want to be with me? We promised forever, you clearly love me—” “I do love you.” I looked up at him, eyes earnest and unwavering, “But, Declan, I won’t lose my principles because of love.”
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