For my mother, I sold myself to him.

When I was eighteen, I sold myself to a man ten years older than me in order to cure my mother. Later, I learned that he was the head of the Shang Group. He was ruthless in business and feared by everyone, but he was unbelievably gentle to me. He spoiled me so much that I had the illusion of being loved. I casually said that I liked the cake at the dessert shop in the south of the city. The next day, that shop was bought by him and only made desserts for me. I had a fever in the middle of the night. He dropped the international meeting and flew back overnight to stay by my bed. He changed my ice towel again and again. On my twentieth birthday, he took me to see the aurora. In the brilliant light and shadow, he kissed my fingertips and said, “Little darling, I will accompany you every year.” I believe you. Until a strange woman asked me to meet her. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Ye Shi, Shang Yu’s ex-girlfriend. Seven years ago, he proposed to me, but I chose a career and went abroad for further study. Although we haven’t been in touch all these years, I know that as long as I come back, he will come back.” After saying that, I took out a check and pushed it in front of me.” I’m ready to get back together with him, but before that, I have to get rid of the women around him. This is 50 million yuan. It’s enough for you. After taking it, leave him.” My throat tightened. I never really knew Julian Vance’s past relationships. I was so young, he’d been the only one I’d ever loved my whole life. But he? He’d loved someone else. All the memories flooded back, and I gathered my courage. “It’s been so many years, Mr. Vance probably doesn’t even remember you anymore…” Yasmin Blake chuckled. “You probably have no idea how much he loved me back then.” She pulled out her phone. “How about this, let’s make a bet.” “I’ll send him a message right now saying I’m back in the country and my car broke down, asking him to pick me up.” “You send him a message saying you’ve been in a car accident.” “We’ll see who he replies to first.” Yasmin looked at me, a smirk playing on her lips, her eyes gleaming with triumphant certainty. “If he replies to me first, you take the money and leave.” “If he replies to you first, I’ll step aside.” A whirlwind of emotions flashed through my heart: agitation, unease, hesitation. Finally, they all coalesced into a desperate, do-or-die resolve. “Deal.” As both messages went out simultaneously, every second stretched into an agonizing eternity. I stared at the screen, my mind a slideshow of countless moments with Julian. His tender gaze when he’d rub my stomach during my period, the soft kiss he’d press to my lips amidst falling snow, the lingering passion as he held me against the floor-to-ceiling window on New Year’s Eve… One scene after another, they played out vividly before my eyes, pulling my thoughts far away. Until a sudden phone ring jolted me back to reality. I saw Yasmin’s triumphant smile as she answered, putting the call on speaker. “Address.” Julian’s cold voice came through the speaker, practically piercing my eardrums. I bit my lip hard, my knuckles turning white as I clenched my fists. My breathing almost stopped. Seeing my reaction, Yasmin looked utterly pleased. “Won’t this be too much trouble for you? Don’t you have other important things to do?” A few seconds of silence hung in the air from the other end. Julian’s tone remained flat. “No. Address.” The smile on Yasmin’s face grew more unrestrained. She hung up and leisurely sent him the address. My phone remained stubbornly silent. My mind went blank, the color slowly draining from my face. The light in my eyes dimmed, and I squeezed out some broken words from my throat. “He… did he really love you that much before?” Yasmin laughed. “Oh yes. Do you want me to tell you how much he loved me?” She listed things off, slow and deliberate— “He took me to see the Northern Lights, promising he’d spend every year with me.” “He bought an entire dessert shop because I casually mentioned I liked it.” “He absolutely detested cats, but because I brought home a stray, he let it sleep in our master bedroom…” A cold shiver ran through me. So, every single thing he’d done for me, he was doing it through me, remembering her. “A bet’s a bet. You should leave now.” Yasmin held out a check to me again. “Yes, I lost.” Just a few words, but they drained all my strength. My hands, clenched so tightly my nails had dug in, leaving painful red marks, reached for the check. I closed my eyes in despair, my voice numb. “I’ll grant your wish. I’ll disappear forever.” Having gotten the promise she wanted, Yasmin didn’t linger. She turned and walked away, her heels clicking on the floor. The world fell into dead silence once more. I bit my lips until they bled, finally swallowing the surging emotions in my chest. Then, I dragged my exhausted body out of the cafe. Outside, it was pouring rain. I walked into it as if I felt nothing. I didn’t even notice Yasmin driving by. She deliberately sped up as she passed me, splashing a wave of water all over me. The car window rolled down. She smiled brightly. “Oops, sorry. I just thought, this is exactly what a soaking wet mess looks like.” With that, she laughed, drove off, and vanished. The rain kept falling. I returned to the mansion, soaked and disheveled. My phone rang. It was Professor Miller from my university. “Aubrey, have you thought about that study abroad spot? Are you really going to give it up?” Hearing the professor’s sigh, my scattered thoughts finally sharpened. I shook my head, looking at the heavy rain outside, and softly said, “No, I’m not giving it up.” “I’ll go myself.” Hearing her beloved student had finally come to her senses, Professor Miller’s tone instantly became much more relieved. “You finally decided! That’s wonderful! Your grades are excellent, and this study abroad spot is the only one available for the whole university. How could you give it up?” “Get ready. You’ll be leaving in fifteen days.” I nodded, picked up a pen, and circled the departure date on my calendar. Fifteen days from now, it would be Julian’s birthday. I opened my closet and took out a men’s suit. I’d spent countless sleepless nights designing and perfecting it over the past three months, all to give him this handmade birthday gift. I’d given up the chance for advanced studies abroad just to stay by his side for a long time, to spend year after year with him. But now, it seemed, there was no need. A bitter smile touched my lips at the thought. I tossed the suit into the trash. Then I took a hot shower, buried myself under the covers, and fell into a deep sleep. Perhaps it was from being caught in the rain, but my body temperature kept rising. Extreme sensations of cold and heat alternated. I was drenched in a cold sweat, my head foggy and heavy, as if several mountains were pressing down on me. Half-asleep, half-awake, I heard my phone ring several times, but I was trapped in a nightmare, unable to open my eyes. It wasn’t until just before dawn that someone burst into the room and shook me awake. “Miss Hayes, wake up. Mr. Vance wants me to take you somewhere.” I forced my eyelids open and saw Julian’s assistant, Mr. Davies. I suppressed my discomfort and got up to change. Mr. Davies drove me to the club entrance and then left. I clutched my clothes tightly, following my memory to the VIP room. Inside, I could hear lively chatter. “It’s been an hour already. Why isn’t Aubrey Hayes here yet? Even if she was in a car accident and isn’t feeling well, you’ve called her so many times and even sent your assistant to pick her up. She’s still dragging her feet, that’s just so inconsiderate, isn’t it?” “She’s just a kept woman, something to pass the time with. Usually, her cuteness is endearing, but always acting out is just ungrateful. Julian, don’t spoil her too much. If you let her get so cocky because of your pampering, she might lose sight of her place!” “Exactly! After Yasmin left, you were drowning your sorrows night and day. You just picked up a kept woman to distract yourself. Otherwise, Aubrey Hayes would never have entered our circle. You’ve pampered her for four years, and now Yasmin is back. When are you planning to get rid of this burden?” Julian sat at the head of the table. The light cast shadows on his aloof, cold face, making his voice sound even more indifferent. “I’ll handle my own people. What’s the rush?” “We’re just anxious for you and Yasmin! You waited for her for seven years, and now she’s finally back. Don’t use Aubrey to provoke her, or you might drive her away again, and you’d be kicking yourself for the rest of your life!” “That’s right, all these years you couldn’t bring yourself to delete your photos with Yasmin. You looked at them several times a day, and every now and then you’d secretly go to the States to see how she was doing. If you heard she liked something, you’d find every way to get it and have someone send it to her…” Every single word landed like a needle in my heart, stirring up a persistent, agonizing pain. It turned out that, from the very beginning, I was just a tool for him to distract himself and provoke Yasmin. I turned to leave, but Yasmin, returning from the restroom, blocked my way. She grabbed my wrist with one hand and pushed open the private room door with the other, smiling sweetly as she greeted everyone inside. “What’s everyone chatting about? So lively you’ve scared away the little sister Julian called over.” Everyone fell silent, their gazes shifting to Julian. He looked up, briefly introduced us, and then gestured for me to come to his side. “Looks like the car accident wasn’t too serious. Why didn’t you answer my calls?” I suppressed the turmoil in my heart and silently walked to his side. “Just a minor scrape. I put some ointment on and fell asleep, didn’t hear the phone. Is something urgent at this hour?” Julian seemed a little surprised that I wasn’t making a fuss, but he didn’t press the issue. “Nothing urgent. Just called you over to hang out.” A sharp pang went through my heart. “Called me over to hang out,” or called me over to provoke Yasmin? First, Yasmin paid me to leave Julian, preparing for their reunion. Then, Julian wanted to use me to provoke Yasmin, accelerating their reunion. In their romantic tug-of-war, I was nothing but a tool. My mind was a storm of thoughts, but I said nothing, just sat there quietly. Julian, as always, showered me with excessive affection. His jacket was draped over my shoulders, fruit was brought to my lips, and he even wiped milk from the corner of my mouth. As he wiped, his eyes darkened, and he smiled before leaning in to kiss me. I closed my eyes, but the initial flutter of my heart was gone. I looked up and saw Yasmin watching us, her eyes dark. I knew then that his goal of provoking Yasmin had been achieved. But all of this pampering came to an abrupt halt when Yasmin grimaced and collapsed onto the sofa. Everyone gasped. “Yasmin, what’s wrong?” “I don’t know, I’m in so much pain… My stomach feels really bad… Just get me some medicine.” Julian’s expression changed instantly. He couldn’t hold back, springing to his feet. Seeing the glass of wine on her table, his eyes darkened further, and his voice was thick with uncontrolled concern. “You know you have a sensitive stomach, how could you still drink? I’m taking you to the hospital!” With that, he scooped her into his arms and turned to leave. He didn’t spare me a single glance, from beginning to end. I closed my eyes, knowing that my part in this play was over. I forced my feverish body to stand, excused myself, and followed them out. For the next few days, I stayed home to recuperate, and incidentally, packed up my belongings. The jewelry and bags Julian had given me, the photos we’d taken together, the shirts and mugs I’d bought him… Aside from essential daily necessities, I threw everything away, not a single item left. Watching the room slowly empty, I felt a momentary daze, remembering many faded memories. Julian holding me on the sofa watching movies, us staying up late building Lego sets together, planting a balcony full of flowers together. I had fantasized countless times that this life would last forever, with no end in sight. But now, it seemed, my beautiful dream had to end. As I was lost in thought, I heard a car in the driveway. I looked up and saw Julian returning with Yasmin. His expression was as indifferent as ever, but Yasmin was smiling, constantly searching for conversation topics. They walked into the living room, chatting and laughing. Seeing the empty space, Julian’s brows furrowed slightly. “Why are there so many things missing from the house?” “Just cleared out some unused clutter.” I lowered my eyes, casually offering an excuse. Julian didn’t think much of it. He glanced at me, then turned his attention back to Yasmin. “Yasmin isn’t feeling well, and there’s a problem with her house, so she’ll be staying here for a few days.” I nodded. “Okay.” He was the patron, and I was the kept woman. He didn’t really need to explain anything to me. Julian frowned, seemingly sensing something unusual about my indifferent attitude today. He was about to ask when Yasmin smoothly changed the subject. “Julian, can I have the south-facing bedroom? Also, you know I’m allergic to pollen, can those flowers on the balcony be moved for now? And these rugs trip my heels, I don’t really like them, can they be removed?” Julian hummed in agreement and instructed the housekeeper to arrange everything as she wished. Yasmin curled her lips, glancing at me with unconcealed triumph in her eyes. Watching the housekeeper and staff remove the rugs, carry out the flowerpots, and clear out the master bedroom, the house gradually transformed into something unfamiliar. A wave of bitterness rose in my heart. After the initial gloom, a sense of relief followed. I comforted myself, thinking, *I’m leaving anyway. None of this will matter to me anymore.* Holding onto that thought, I quietly lowered my head and went back upstairs to my room. The next day, Yasmin’s voice carried clearly through the windows to the second floor. “How are you still keeping this oil painting I drew? If you like it, I can paint you a new one tomorrow, okay?” “The weather’s so lovely today, will you come for a walk with me? The doctor said I need to walk more to recover faster.” “I’m a little hungry, Julian. Can you make me dinner? It’s been so long since I’ve had your cooking.” Julian rarely replied, but he fulfilled every one of Yasmin’s requests. He sat in the living room like a silent mannequin for two hours, accompanied her for a half-hour walk outside, and then personally cooked a lavish meal. I took it all in, and through his eyes and body language, I could tell he was happy. Perhaps, this was the ‘forever’ he truly wanted. In the evening, I went downstairs to get a glass of water. When I returned, I saw Yasmin in my room, holding the watch my father had left me. In that instant, my entire body tensed. I rushed forward, trying to retrieve the watch. Yasmin was a head taller than me. She simply raised her hand, looking at me defiantly. “Such a shabby watch, but you care about it so much. It must be really important, huh?” I blurted out without hesitation, “Yes, it’s very important! Give it back to me!” Hearing this, Yasmin smiled. “Giving it back to you isn’t impossible. Just get down on your knees for me, and I’ll be merciful just this once.” I looked at her, utterly incredulous. “Miss Blake, I’ve already agreed to leave. Mr. Vance likes you. I never intended to compete with you. Why are you still targeting me?” “Why? Because I can’t stand you. Even though you agreed to leave, just thinking about you monopolizing Julian for so many years makes my stomach churn. I want to vent! Anyway, this watch is in my hand now. I’ll give you ten seconds. If you don’t do as I say, this watch will be gone forever.” Seeing her arrogant and tyrannical manner, my heart filled with powerlessness and sorrow. The countdown went from ten to one. Yasmin made a motion as if to throw the watch. Aubrey Hayes had no other choice. She forced herself to her knees. “Is this good enough, Miss Blake?” Yasmin looked satisfied at my humiliated expression. But she didn’t return the watch. Instead, she raised her hand and threw the watch down the stairs. My breath caught. I rushed to save it, but accidentally bumped into Yasmin. Yasmin tumbled down the stairs, immediately covered in blood. Julian, who had just witnessed the scene, hurried forward. “What happened?!” Yasmin huddled in his arms, her eyes red, and twisted the story, claiming that I had accidentally broken my watch, gotten angry, and pushed her down the stairs. A thin layer of anger accumulated on Julian’s usually cold face. “You’d physically assault someone for a watch? Aubrey Hayes, have I pampered you too much these past few years?” Seeing his icy gaze, a profound sorrow welled up inside me. I tried to explain, fighting back the pain. “Julian, she forced me first—” “Enough!” Julian, in his rage, wouldn’t listen to a word. He cut me off sharply. He immediately called the security guards, ordering them to lock me in the cold storage room to “reflect” thoroughly, then scooped up Yasmin and left. I was held down by several security guards and dragged directly to the cold storage. In the sub-zero cold storage, I huddled in a corner, my body covered in layers of white frost. I felt as if all the blood in my veins was freezing, and my body trembled uncontrollably. Time seemed to stand still, moving agonizingly slowly. I clutched the broken watch in my hand, memories of happy times with my parents flashing through my mind. In a haze, I heard the door open and lifted my blurred eyes. A figure slowly approached me. I instinctively called out, “Mom,” whispering softly. “Mom, I loved the wrong person. I regret it…” Julian, vaguely hearing these words, frowned and instinctively stepped closer, staring at me. “What did you just say? Regret what?” I no longer had the strength to answer. I couldn’t hold on any longer; my vision went black, and I lost consciousness. **CLIFFHANGER/PAYWALL** I don’t know how much time passed, but when I woke up, Aubrey Hayes found herself in a hospital. I opened my eyes and saw Julian watching by my bedside. He reached out to touch me. “You’re awake. How do you feel?” Recalling what happened before I fainted, I trembled and closed my eyes, flinching away from his touch. “Where’s my watch, Mr. Vance? Please give it back to me.” Julian stared at me for a long moment, making sure I was alright, then took out the repaired watch and handed it to me. “You care about this watch so much, I had someone fix it. You hurt Yasmin, and I punished you. Let’s just put the past behind us; don’t dwell on it anymore.” Seeing my father’s heirloom returned to my hands, intact, tears almost welled up instantly. But I held them back and looked at Julian. “I’m not dwelling on anything, Mr. Vance. Our years together were merely a transaction. I can’t and shouldn’t ask anything from you. From now on, I’ll know my place and won’t do anything out of line.” For some reason, seeing me like this, a surge of anger rose in Julian’s heart, and his voice turned cold. “Are you sulking? Or are you trying to cut ties with me?” Faced with his sudden coldness, I wasn’t as timid as before. My voice remained calm. “I’m not sulking, merely stating facts. As for cutting ties, perhaps. After all, very soon, I’ll be…” With each word I spoke, Julian’s face grew darker. He was about to say something when Yasmin’s call came in. “Julian, I booked a really good restaurant. Will you come with me?” In that instant, Julian controlled his emotions. He had no time or inclination to listen to me speak further. He simply brushed past me and left. The door slammed shut with a bang, trapping the unspoken words “disappear forever” in my throat. Watching his retreating back, I let out a self-deprecating laugh. After a few days in the hospital, my weakened body gradually recovered. During that time, no one came to visit me. Yasmin, however, sent many messages almost every day. In the photos and videos, she sat in the passenger seat eating snacks, and Julian, who was always a germaphobe, would tear open the food bags for her; she mentioned she hadn’t visited his parents in a while, so he proactively took her back to the family estate for a dinner party; she casually praised something she saw in a magazine, and an hour later, that very item would appear before her. These subtle acts of patience and care were things I had never experienced. Even when Julian had pampered me, he would never have allowed me to eat in the car, never thought of introducing me to his parents, and certainly wouldn’t have patiently remembered a casual remark I made. I finally understood: raising a kept woman and truly loving someone involved incomparable amounts of time, energy, and affection. Only Yasmin was worthy of Julian’s complete patience and devotion. On the day I was discharged from the hospital, my roommates came to visit me and also took me to a class gathering. The gathering was at a trendy restaurant. The moment I walked in, I felt some malicious stares. “Well, well, isn’t this our busy beaver, the top student? Didn’t she move out of school ages ago and stop hanging out with classmates? How do you have time for a gathering today? Not busy with your sugar daddy?” “Maybe she got dumped by her sugar daddy, who knows? Some people look all innocent, but their private lives are probably a mess. For money, they’d even stoop to a fifty-year-old old man.” “Tsk, tsk, tsk, that kind of gold-digger attitude, we could never learn that!” A few girls who had always disliked me huddled together, making snide remarks. My roommates were furious and couldn’t help but retort. “What are you talking about? Aubrey moved out to live with her boyfriend! Not some fifty-year-old old man like you’re saying!” “Laughable, boyfriend? I’ve seen Aubrey Hayes get into a luxury car in the middle of the night several times. What else would that be if not being kept? Instead of lying here, you should tell her to stop selling herself for money and tarnishing our university’s reputation!” These baseless insults completely ignited my roommates’ fury. They were about to turn and confront the girls when they caught a glimpse of a familiar figure outside the window, and they all excitedly cried out. “You loose-tongued gossips, look closely! See, that’s Aubrey’s boyfriend!” Immediately, everyone in the room followed their gaze. The moment they saw Julian Vance, everyone’s eyes widened, their faces filled with disbelief. “Julian Vance? Are you kidding me? What kind of person is Julian Vance? Aubrey Hayes isn’t even fit to carry his shoes!” “Whether she’s fit or not isn’t up to you! I’ll take you to prove it right now!” Julian’s appearance bolstered my roommates’ confidence. They grabbed my hand, ready to confront him. Amidst a flurry of shocked stares, they turned around, only to see Julian walk to the passenger side and personally help a woman out of the car. The two stood very close, their posture intimate, clearly not just ordinary friends. One of the girls watching the spectacle recognized Yasmin’s face. “Isn’t that Julian Vance’s ex-girlfriend, Yasmin Blake? They were upperclassmen at my brother’s old university. Their romance was the talk of the campus back then, and their photo together after winning the Olympiad is still on the school’s display board!” “So that’s it! Julian Vance is so devoted, how could he possibly be with Aubrey Hayes? I think some people just want to latch onto him. She’s clearly being kept by a fifty or sixty-year-old man but won’t admit it.” As soon as that remark was made, the dynamics of the scene instantly reversed. Everyone now looked at me with disdain. In the ensuing chaos, Julian glanced towards the restaurant. He turned back and said something to Mr. Davies. Soon, Mr. Davies strode over. Seeing this, my roommates thought there might still be a chance. They nervously held Aubrey’s hand, hoping Mr. Davies was coming for me. Mr. Davies did walk past them, but without stopping, he went directly to the restaurant owner. “Mr. Vance and Miss Blake wish to have lunch here today. Could you please clear the restaurant? Mr. Vance prefers quiet.” With such an important customer, the restaurant owner was overjoyed. He quickly arranged for waiters to offer customers free meals and compensation for clearing out. Our table was, of course, asked to leave. As the group walked out en masse, Julian and Yasmin were just arriving. I didn’t want to run into them and lowered my head to avoid their gaze. But those few girls seized the opportunity, loudly calling out amidst the crowd. “Mr. Vance, we’re from the design department at the university. Do you know a classmate of ours named Aubrey Hayes?” Hearing that name, Julian’s footsteps paused, and his gaze swept through the crowd. Yasmin spotted me in the corner at once. Her eyes darted, and before he could speak, she quickly answered. “What’s wrong?” “Oh, nothing. It’s just that she’s always daydreaming, spreading rumors that she has a relationship with Mr. Vance, tarnishing his reputation. So we just wanted to confirm.” Hearing this, Yasmin’s grip on Julian’s hand loosened slightly, and she looked at him intently. “Julian, do you have a relationship with Aubrey Hayes?” Julian subtly raised an eyebrow. Yasmin knew perfectly well what our relationship was. He also clearly saw that this group of people was humiliating me. Yet, Yasmin still asked the question they both knew the answer to. Perhaps she was testing how important I was in his heart. If he admitted it now, it would only complicate his reunion with Yasmin. So, he denied it in a flat tone. “I don’t know her.” Hearing Julian’s nonchalant tone, the group of students burst into laughter, their eyes full of mockery as they looked at me. Faced with this undisguised malice, I closed my eyes. Amidst the jeers, my phone vibrated a few times. I opened it and saw a message from Yasmin. “Julian doesn’t love you at all, so he won’t give you a title, nor will he care about your feelings. Your four years of companionship mean nothing to him. A kept woman, no matter how pampered, is ultimately just a pet that can be discarded at any moment. You’ll never fly up a branch and become a phoenix!” I silently read the message, remembering two years ago when my roommates saw Julian and me kissing at the university gate. At the time, my roommates were frantic, gossiping and asking what his relationship with me was. Before I could speak, Julian put his arm around me and slowly uttered four words: “My girlfriend.” It was then that I assumed we were officially a couple. But only now did I understand that it was all just my wishful thinking. He was always waiting for Yasmin to come back, and the position of ‘girlfriend’ was always reserved for her. I was nothing more than a tool to help him heal his broken heart and distract himself. And a fleeting passerby, destined to cross paths with him but ultimately insignificant. When I got back, I found that what happened at the gathering had been posted on the university forum. Everyone at the university was talking about it. “Who’s this desperate clown, spreading rumors about Julian Vance? Doesn’t she know her place? She’s not even fit to carry his shoes!” “Mr. Vance is like royalty in the city’s elite circles. The woman he loves is the heiress of the powerful Blake family, whom he’s been devoted to for years. How could he possibly be involved with some poor girl? She’s clearly living in a fantasy world!” “I heard she’s hooked up with a fifty-year-old old man and made up this lie when her classmates found out. She’s vain and shameless. Being classmates with someone like that is truly a disgrace to our university!” Looking at the endless stream of sarcasm and abuse online, Aubrey’s heart felt shrouded in a dark cloud, utterly gloomy. My roommates tried every way to speak up for me, but their explanations were quickly drowned out by the overwhelming torrent of condemnation, and no one cared. I could do nothing but turn off all social media and repeatedly tell myself that all of this would soon be over. Days passed. I completed my graduation procedures and then went home to tell my recovering mother about my study abroad plans. I was busy with my own affairs and hadn’t seen Julian for several days. When I returned to the mansion, I saw him waiting for me on the sofa. “What have you been doing these past few days? You’ve been nowhere to be seen.” “University matters.” I lowered my eyes, casually offering an excuse. “University? Aren’t you about to graduate? What could be so urgent?” I didn’t want him to know about my upcoming departure, so I just prevaricated: “Just busy with graduation stuff.” Julian frowned, instinctively sensing something was off. He was about to speak when my phone rang. I answered it and turned to walk out. Vaguely hearing a male voice, Julian’s eyes darkened. He hung up his phone and followed me. The male student was, at Professor Miller’s request, conveniently delivering my university-issued visa and some documents. After politely thanking my classmate, I turned around with the items and met Julian’s deep gaze. “Who was that? What was he doing here?” I clutched the bag behind my back, the smile fading from my face, and briefly explained. “A classmate. He helped deliver my diploma.” Seeing my evasive eyes, Julian’s face grew even colder. “What kind of classmate is so kind as to personally deliver it here? Does he like you?” I paused, slightly stunned, wondering why he would think that. “He was just helping out because it was on his way. We’re just classmates. I don’t know who he likes, but it’s not me.” After hearing my explanation, Julian stared at me for a long time, his voice icy. “No matter what your relationship is, you’re not allowed to interact with him again.” “Julian, that’s my freedom to choose my friends—” I instinctively wanted to retort, but he cut me off before I could finish. “From the day you agreed to our arrangement, you gave up your freedom to choose your friends. I don’t tolerate any nonsense. If you continue to get involved with people like that, you won’t be staying by my side.” As soon as he finished speaking, Yasmin emerged, elegantly dressed, and smiling as she linked her arm through his and got into the car. “Julian, I’m all ready. Shall we go?” Watching the sports car drive away, I closed my eyes. The current me didn’t want to stay by his side. I only wanted freedom. Their arrangement was about to end. On Julian’s birthday, I woke up early. Opening the window for fresh air, I saw Julian and a few of his friends chatting in the garden. “Julian, I heard Yasmin personally organized your birthday this year. She’s been glued to you lately. If she proposes getting back together at the party, will you agree?” “Do you even have to ask? Of course, he will!” Julian maintained his composed demeanor in response to his friends’ teasing. “We’ll see then.” “Tsk, tsk, look at you, so confident. You must have gotten a hint that Yasmin plans to confess to you today!” “But if you get back with Yasmin, what about Aubrey Hayes? How about you hand her over to me? I think she’s quite attractive. I’ll play with her for a few days, then I’ll get rid of her for you.” “If you’re saying that, I want a piece of the pie too. I’ve had my eye on that girl for a while. If she called me ‘Big Brother’ in bed, I’d melt.” A chill ran through me as I heard their malicious laughter. I bit my lip hard, making no sound, and instinctively looked at Julian. The corners of his lips were slightly upturned, but there was no smile in his eyes. “She’s been with me for so many years, and you still don’t know the rules? Even if I don’t want something I’ve laid claim to, I won’t allow anyone else to touch it. Afterward, I’ll arrange for her to take a low-level position in the assistant’s office. Anyone who dares to make a move on her, just try me.” Seeing the change in his expression, his friends were slightly shaken and quickly tried to smooth things over. “Just kidding, of course! Aubrey Hayes has been with you for four years and is so devoted to you. Even if you just kept her as a pretty ornament in the office, she’d probably be perfectly happy.” “But once you and Yasmin get back together, if she can’t stand Aubrey and forces you to get rid of her, what then? You’ve raised her for four years, will you be reluctant?” Julian took a sip of his coffee, his voice returning to its usual coldness. “Keeping her was just for amusement and to pass the time. What is there to be reluctant about?” Hearing his utterly indifferent tone, my heart no longer ached. I finished my morning routine and was about to go downstairs for water when I ran straight into Yasmin. The moment our eyes met, a flicker of impatience crossed Yasmin’s face. “You took my money. When exactly are you going to leave? My patience is limited!” I opened my phone, checked the meeting notification from my professor, and calmly replied to her. “Don’t worry. After today, I’ll disappear completely, never to be seen again.” “What won’t appear again?” Hearing a sudden familiar voice, both of us turned around simultaneously and saw Julian standing at the doorway. Yasmin’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly went to meet him and changed the subject. “Nothing, just casual chat. It’s quite a drive to the estate, shouldn’t we be heading off?” Julian didn’t think too deeply about it. He checked the time and nodded. “Yes, we should go.” With that, he picked up his car keys. Yasmin also put on her heels, but I remained motionless. Seeing my lack of reaction, Julian reminded me again. “What are you standing there for? Aren’t you changing into your dress?” They were going to the birthday party, but I had no intention of attending. “You two go ahead. Don’t worry about me.” Julian’s eyes darkened at my indifferent attitude. “If you don’t come with us, don’t come crying to me when you miss the party.” “I won’t.” My tone was so certain that Julian felt an inexplicable unease, as if something was slipping from his control. He frowned, about to ask more, but Yasmin pulled his hand, urging him to leave. “Since she’s busy, let’s not wait. It’s impolite to keep guests waiting if we’re late. I even prepared a surprise, I can’t wait for you to see it!” A few words redirected Julian’s attention. He gave me one last look, then left with Yasmin. I slowly packed my luggage, then took a final look around the villa I had lived in for five years. Everything here had once made me mistakenly believe I was loved. The piano Julian bought for me, my favorite scented candles, even the cat he allowed me to keep in the bedroom. But now, I finally understood that this tenderness was never meant for me. It was for the woman named Yasmin Blake. He had someone he loved, and I was about to embark on my new life. Without a shred of attachment, I dragged my suitcase out and headed straight for the airport. Before takeoff, the flight attendant repeatedly reminded passengers to turn off their phones. Before switching it off, I remembered something, took a deep breath, and opened my chat with Julian. I sent him a farewell message. “Mr. Vance, I won’t be attending your birthday party today. I hope you have a great time. Thank you for your care all these years. I’m planning to cheat on you, goodbye forever.” I didn’t realize I’d typed “cheat on you” instead of “study abroad.” I simply turned off my phone and looked out the window. The sky was clear today, not a cloud in sight. Life without him, from now on, would also be bright and clear every day. The birthday party venue was dazzling with lights. Everyone attached great importance to Julian’s event, eager to curry favor with his influence. Amidst clinking glasses and chatter, guests raised toasts and laughed. Only the host of the party wore an increasingly sullen expression. After another ten minutes, Julian asked in a deep voice. “Has she arrived yet?” “Not yet, Mr. Vance. Miss Hayes still hasn’t come.” Mr. Davies answered respectfully from the side. Seeing Julian’s expression, he felt a shiver of fear; it was a clear sign of his extreme displeasure. “What is that woman playing at? I explicitly told her not to be late.” Julian frowned, looking around. Most of the guests had arrived, and yet Aubrey Hayes was late for such an important occasion. “Oh, Julian, don’t wait for her. She just loves to pull these childish stunts. She might have just stood you up.” Yasmin’s slender fingers curled around his shoulder, a mocking smile playing on her red lips. “Mr. Vance, why should all of us wait this long for a kept woman?” “Exactly, Mr. Vance! That woman is too inconsiderate. How dare she be late for your birthday party? Why should we wait for her? Let’s just start!” The surrounding guests echoed Yasmin’s words. Everyone had long grown impatient but didn’t dare speak up in front of Julian. Julian pressed his temples. *Aubrey has always been so obedient, why would she be absent for no reason?* He suppressed his anger, ready to call Aubrey Hayes and give her a final ultimatum. But the moment he opened his phone, the top message caught his eye. [Mr. Vance, I’m planning to cheat on you, goodbye.] “Crack!” The instant he saw the message, Julian’s grip on his wine glass tightened. The glass shattered the next second, creating a violent sound in the air. The entire commotion in the room instantly fell silent. “Julian! Your hand!” Yasmin frantically grabbed his wrist, but he violently pushed her hand away. Julian’s brows were tightly furrowed, and blood slowly dripped from his fingers. *Aubrey Hayes, how dare she!* How dare she not attend his birthday party, how dare she cheat on him! He stared fixedly at the words “cheat on you” in the message, his face filled with disbelief. *She loved him like a puppy, always trailing after him. She was so happy preparing his gift just months ago.* Even if every woman in the world betrayed him, how could Aubrey Hayes cheat on him?! Julian furiously dialed my number, but the only response was the cold, automated female voice. “The number you have dialed is switched off…” It was the tenth time. He had called ten times, but I seemed to be deliberately avoiding him, my phone continuously switched off. *Why was Aubrey Hayes always ruining things for him?* Yasmin saw his anxious expression and felt a secret resentment. She stepped forward, linked her arm through his, and said intimately. “Julian, forget about her. The guests are getting impatient. Let’s just enjoy ourselves. Someone like her would only lower your standards if she came.” “Shut up!!” His forehead veins bulged, and he roared, cutting Yasmin off and startling everyone present. At this moment, Julian was already blinded by my message about cheating. He didn’t care about his birthday party anymore. He turned and stormed out. Yasmin, seeing this, anxiously followed in her high heels, clutching his arm, unwilling to let go. “Julian, where are you going?! The party’s about to start!” “Get lost!” He yelled back, his eyes bloodshot. “If you dare to stop me again,” Yasmin stumbled back in fear, watching as he slammed the door shut and left. The sports car sped wildly through the night. Julian redialed the number again and again, but it remained switched off. He didn’t know why, even though he knew Yasmin was the woman he loved most, at this moment, his mind was filled with my face. My smile, the way I trembled in his arms when he held me tight, the way I hugged him last birthday, saying he was my favorite. Then, Julian suddenly remembered Yasmin’s and my strange behavior earlier that morning. He distinctly heard me say something about “never appearing again.” Could it be… I had already decided to leave him? “Damn it!” A terrible premonition arose. Julian slammed his fist on the steering wheel, making a sharp U-turn and disappearing into the night. The sports car screeched to a halt at the mansion entrance. Julian impatiently strode inside. It was pitch black. Julian flipped on the lights. The house seemed unchanged. Only my slippers were gone from the entryway. Yasmin’s belongings were slowly filling the living room, and the traces of my life were disappearing, bit by bit. Julian felt an indescribable tightness in his chest. He walked further in, hoping Aubrey Hayes was just asleep. He searched like a madman, room by room. In the bathroom, my toothbrush was gone. Only his and Yasmin’s remained on the towel rack. In the kitchen, my favorite mug was just a faint circular mark. Every trace of my existence seemed to have evaporated. Julian, refusing to believe, came to the guest bedroom where I usually stayed. He pushed open the door to a dead silence. This room, once filled with my various cute plushies. Now it was like an empty shell, devoid of any sign of life. Except for the large furniture, everything else was gone. My cosmetics were absent from the vanity, and the closet was empty. Even the photo of Julian kissing me, which I kept on my bedside table, was gone. I hadn’t left a single hair behind, as if no one had ever lived there. All of Julian’s memories of Aubrey Hayes were just a dream. “Aubrey Hayes!!” Seeing the empty room, Julian looked as if he’d been provoked. He roared my name and punched the closet door. Just then, he noticed a beautifully wrapped box tucked into the corner of the closet. Julian felt his heart pounding violently. He had a strong premonition that this was something I had left for him. His fingers trembling, he pulled out the box and untied the ribbon. Inside the box was an exquisitely crafted, expensive wristwatch. Next to the box lay an envelope containing a greeting card and a few photos. [Mr. Vance, thank you for repairing the heirloom my father left me. I debated for a long time what kind of birthday gift to give you. Now, let me repay you with this watch.] [A watch represents time, and at least, the years I spent with you were happy. But from now on, let’s never meet again.] Julian stood frozen, his hands trembling uncontrollably. All the women he’d been with had been for money and status, yet I never mentioned a word of it, my message filled only with sentiments about their relationship. He picked up the photos behind the card, flipping through them one by one. The first was a photo from the first time Julian took me to a cocktail party. I was wearing a white dress, standing beside him, completely at ease, smiling brightly. The second was from my university graduation ceremony. Julian had unusually taken time off to bring me flowers at school. The third was a silly selfie of the three of us that Julian insisted on taking when he accompanied me to the hospital to visit my mother. And the last one was a photo Julian had taken of my happy, childlike smile. Julian clutched the photos, his throat felt constricted, and breathing became difficult. Looking at these pictures, scene after scene of their past together flashed like a slideshow in his mind. Yasmin’s appearance had made him deeply resent my presence, but he had forgotten how precious their past feelings were. I had loved him so diligently and wholeheartedly. And he had long lost this pure girl. He collapsed onto the bed. The wristwatch slipped from his palm. Julian lowered his head, staring at the cold, gleaming watch face. *So I really had left his side completely.* *My recent coldness and melancholy, they were all preparations for leaving. All my emotions had been traceable.* He thought I was just a substitute, that I would never leave, that he would never regret it. But now, the villa was eerily quiet. No sound from me, no warmth from me. “Aubrey… come back…” Julian’s voice was incredibly hoarse, as if squeezed from his chest. But this time, no one answered him. My first week in Paris was a bit disorienting. But I didn’t dwell on it. Instead, I immersed myself completely in design, spending my days and nights at the studio. My grades had always been excellent, but due to my family’s financial struggles, I had given up a study abroad spot that should have been mine. Plus, I had stayed by Julian’s side, indulging in his gentle comfort, naturally pushing academic matters to the back of my mind. Now, having left him, I could pursue my dreams. And with Professor Laurent extending an invitation, I didn’t hesitate to come here. The first thing Professor Laurent did upon my arrival in Paris was to show me around the unfamiliar campus. This school was a renowned international art university, steeped in a rich artistic atmosphere, and I quickly became completely absorbed. “Aubrey, it’s wonderful that you chose to come here to study. Since you, I haven’t met anyone with such talent.” Professor Laurent held my hand, speaking earnestly. Hearing my professor’s words, I couldn’t help but feel touched. When I was with Julian, he had frowned and threatened me. “If you still want money to treat your mother’s illness, stay by my side and don’t go anywhere.” Thinking of the man who had hindered my growth, I smiled and shook my head, saying nothing. From the moment I left Julian, I was destined to become a free bird. I watched the young people coming and going, carrying drawing boards or musical instruments, my mood growing increasingly excited. I wanted to join them immediately. Professor Laurent showed me the lecture halls and the studios they used after class, then left. Following his advice, I rented a small apartment a five-minute walk from the school, saving a lot of time. In class, I was always the most enthusiastic student, interacting with the teachers. Perhaps because this was a rare learning opportunity, I worked harder than anyone else. One evening, I was again the only one left in the studio. I was so engrossed in my work that I didn’t notice the sky growing dark. I stretched my aching neck and shoulders, gathering my sketches to leave, when I suddenly heard the sound of a piano from somewhere. The melody was exquisitely beautiful, my father’s favorite piece. I was unconsciously moved by the music, my eyes welling up. I was so engrossed in listening, as if this was a symphony played just for me in the silent hallway. Determined to find the source of the music, I followed the sound, my satchel slung over my shoulder, to a small auditorium. I pushed open the heavy auditorium doors and saw only a man’s slender back. He sat at the piano in the center of the stage, playing with complete absorption. The music flowed into my heart as if it had a life of its own. Thus, we remained, neither disturbing the other. The man sat with his back to me on the stage, and Aubrey Hayes was the sole audience member for this concert, sitting in the front row. When the piece ended, the man closed the piano lid and bowed towards Aubrey in the audience, and I burst into applause. “Thank you for listening to my performance.” The man’s voice was deep and gentle, and for some reason, it sounded incredibly familiar. The next second, our eyes met, and my breath caught. The person before me wasn’t a stranger, but someone I thought I’d never see again. “Is that you… Daniel?” The man on stage stiffened, unable to hide his shock. “Aubrey?! Is that really you!” Daniel Thorne leaped off the stage. He looked at the girl before him, who had grown into such a graceful young woman, with an unprecedented joy. He walked towards me, a little emotional, and gently embraced me. “Aubrey… long time no see…” His voice trembled, and his embrace held a comforting warmth that made me momentarily let go of all my worries. Daniel Thorne was my childhood neighbor. When I was young, due to a family upheaval, my mother and I moved out overnight, without even getting a chance to say goodbye to Daniel. This had always been a knot in my heart. As an adult, I often thought of my childhood playmate, feeling guilty for my sudden departure. But I never expected fate to be so kind as to reunite us here. “Oh, right, Aubrey, what are you doing here?” “I’m here to study abroad. What about you, Daniel?” Daniel Thorne paused for a moment, then smiled. “Me too. The year after you left, our whole family moved to Paris. I just… I never thought I’d see you here again.” “It seems we’ll be seeing a lot of each other now.” He extended his right hand to me, happiness unconcealed on his face. I hesitated, then, blushing, shook his hand, just like the first time we met in our new house, that same shy and beautiful moment. From that day on, we met at an agreed-upon time every day. After class, I would go to the studio and start working on clothes based on my design sketches. When the sound of the piano drifted out, I would head to the auditorium and sit in the front row, becoming Daniel’s sole audience. We spent our days together. Daniel would occasionally sit beside me and teach me how to play a song. As time went by, with Daniel’s companionship, I gradually forgot the pain from home, forgetting Julian Vance, who had influenced me for so long. One evening, after parting ways with Daniel, I returned home, feeling a subtle sense of unease. The potted plant by my door seemed to have been moved. I tried to convince myself I was just overthinking, then reached for my keys to open the door, only to find it unlocked. A gentle push sent it swinging open. Suppressing the fear in my heart, I gripped my umbrella for defense and cautiously stepped inside. The door gently pushed open, and the scene inside froze me in place. My apartment was a ransacked mess. The living room chair was overturned, shoes by the entrance were scattered, all the drawers were pulled open, clothes from the closet lay strewn on the floor, and even the photo frame on my bedside table was shattered. Someone had been here! “Who! Who’s there!” My sharp eyes suddenly caught sight of the bedroom door wide open, the curtains fluttering wildly in the draft. And there, a figure leaped out the window! “Ah!!!” I screamed in fright, my legs turning to jelly as I collapsed to the floor. My hands trembling, I fumbled for my phone to call for help, but to my surprise, my first instinct was to call Julian. But the next second, I brutally crushed that thought. I had no one to rely on now. Only I could help myself. I quickly dialed the police and went downstairs to wait for help. After the police investigation, all the cash in the house had been stolen, and some valuable jewelry was also missing. However, it was a good thing I hadn’t directly confronted the thief, as they found a knife the thief had dropped on the balcony. If I had arrived home any earlier, I might have been in serious danger. “Ma’am, the robbers in Paris are very rampant. There have been several break-ins in your area recently. I suggest you move out as soon as possible.” The police handled the scene and advised me sternly. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I broke out in a cold sweat. Just then, a phone call broke the silence. “Daniel?” I was a little surprised to receive a call from Daniel. “Aubrey, are you okay? I saw a police car heading towards your apartment building from my balcony. Did something happen there?” Hearing his gentle voice, I finally felt a rare sense of peace. “It’s nothing, just that my house was broken into by a thief, and all my cash was stolen.” “I probably can’t go to school tomorrow. I need to look for a new place and also find a part-time job to earn some living expenses.” My words made Daniel’s voice instantly tense. “What? Aubrey, are you still in the apartment? I’m coming to find you!” “No, Daniel, you don’t have to!” “No, I won’t let you be alone with something so dangerous.” Daniel’s voice was filled with urgency, his tone carrying an undeniable authority. “Pack some things now. You can stay at my place tonight.” Before I could even speak, Daniel hung up, as if afraid I might refuse. Ten minutes later, Daniel drove up. “You really went to a lot of trouble, Daniel…” Seeing Daniel’s wet hair, as if he had just showered, made me feel even more apologetic. But Daniel didn’t blame me. Instead, he smiled and took my luggage. “Silly girl, what childhood thing didn’t I do with you? Why are you suddenly shy?” Hearing his words, I finally let go of my shame and followed him into the car. Daniel’s house was in an affluent area near the university. He led me to the guest bedroom, where the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a panoramic view of the city’s nightscape. “You can sleep here tonight. If you want to look for houses tomorrow, I’ll go with you.” “Thank you, Daniel. I knew you were the best!” That night, I had a rare, peaceful sleep. In my dream, Julian no longer appeared. Instead, it was a scene of Daniel holding my hand, playing by the small lake when we were children. I slept soundly, a sweet smile on my face. In the middle of the night, Daniel, feeling thirsty, went to the living room to pour a glass of water. As he passed my room, he instinctively paused. Looking at the girl deep in her beautiful dream, he quietly tightened his grip on the glass and, unconsciously, started smiling himself, gazing at her for a long time, unwilling to look away. The next morning, Daniel accompanied me to look for houses. But after an entire day of searching, we couldn’t find any suitable properties.

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