I was the most privileged heiress of the city’s elite. Caleb Thorne, on the other hand, was the poor student I’d supported for three years. He hated my overbearing nature, my unbearably entitled ways, yet he was powerless to escape. Until later, when he got into a top-tier university in the US for his PhD, stepping onto the highest award platform. I wired him a final, staggering sum, then turned around and announced my engagement. Before the wedding, I saw a news report where a reporter interviewed Caleb. “At this moment, what do you most want to say?” Caleb looked at the camera, his voice calm and cold: “I won’t be returning to this city. And, I wish her a happy marriage.” He truly had never loved me; it was only today that I was forced to admit it. 1 When Caleb pushed open the private lounge door, the man beside me was eagerly offering me a sip of his drink. The moment he appeared, the lounge went silent. The man feeding me wine looked a bit flustered, trying to set down his glass. But I pressed down on his hand. The cool liquid slid down my throat, and I squinted, a little hazy, before finally looking towards the door. Caleb was still in his white shirt and black trousers, a backpack slung over one shoulder, an academic vibe clinging to him. What was different from usual, though, was his expression. His eyes were frigid, carrying a world-weary detachment. His lips were tightly pressed, forming a thin line. “Blaire Harrison.” He called my name softly. No warmth, no emotional rise or fall. Yet, for some reason, I felt a flicker of fear. I had been slumped softly on the couch, but now I unconsciously straightened up a little. And instinctively closed my legs, tugging at my skirt. 2 “Caleb Thorne, congrats! A PhD from a TOP 1 university in the US, you’ve really shot to stardom, haven’t you?” “Yeah, Caleb, remember three years ago when we first met? You were so broke you couldn’t even afford a decent meal.” “After only three years under my wing, people would think you’re some rich heir now, wouldn’t they?” The words were unpleasant, almost grating. This crowd had never dared to speak like this before, because I fiercely protected those close to me. The last guy who dared to trash-talk him when drunk? He hasn’t set foot back in this city since. But tonight was different. Caleb had clearly fallen out of favor. I didn’t want him anymore. Those who’d always looked down on him naturally seized the chance to kick him while he was down. But Caleb seemed not to hear them at all. He walked through the crowd with a blank expression, heading straight for me. I sat there, looking up at him. “We’re celebrating you tonight, why are you so late?” “You owe us three shots then.” I lowered my eyes, signaling for someone to pour the drinks. But Caleb leaned over and directly grabbed my wrist: “Come outside with me.” “Caleb…” “Blaire Harrison, now. Come outside with me.” His tone remained calm, but the grip on my hand tightened. I saw his tense jaw, and the eyes under his fringe, cold as a deep freeze. I suddenly wanted to laugh. See? Three years, and he was still this cold to me. Still hated me this much. 3 “Playing the jealous type?” I deliberately flashed him a malicious smile. “Doesn’t really fit your ‘Big Shot PhD’ persona, does it?” He seemed too bothered to humor me. He simply pulled me up from the couch. I was too tipsy to stand steady, and stumbled awkwardly into his arms. Furious, I kicked him. My sharp high heel hit his hard shin bone. It only hurt me more. My heart felt like it was burning with a fire, threatening to turn me to ashes. But Caleb always just watched, detached. I held my breath, wanting to violently shake him off. But he gripped me tighter, his face grim, dragging me outside. I stumbled along, barely keeping pace with him. Until we were out of the lounge, reaching the end of the deserted corridor. Only then did he stop, drop his backpack, and press me against the wall. “What does this mean, Blaire Harrison?” “What do you mean, ‘what does this mean’?” “Those men, what did they mean?” “Exactly what you saw.” “Blaire Harrison, three years ago, we agreed. I wouldn’t have other women, and you wouldn’t find other men.” “I made the rules. Whether I keep them is up to me.” I lifted my face to him, reached up, grabbed his shirt collar, and pulled him closer. Those words had been swirling in my mind for so long, too proud to ever say them, but now I couldn’t hold back. “You and that junior colleague of yours, you’ve been ambiguous for a while, haven’t you? She followed you to study in the US, wanting to build a life together…” I lightly patted his cheek. “You wouldn’t think I’d cling to a man who’d been soiled, would you?” With that, I pushed him away hard, turning to leave: “Get lost. And stay lost. Don’t come back, don’t let me see you!” “I didn’t.” My steps faltered, but I didn’t turn back. “I never broke my promise to you, Blaire Harrison.” I lifted my chin, forcing back the tears. I used to believe that if I wanted something, I could have anything, even if I had to force it. But later, I understood: things you force to happen… they never truly last. It’s pointless. “It must have been hard for you these past three years.” I turned around, leaning against the wall, smiling at him. “I’m sorry. Sorry that you had to be with someone you didn’t like for so long.” Caleb walked towards me, step by step. “I don’t like owing anyone anything.” He gently took my shoulders, looking down at me intently. “Three years, just like we agreed. Three years.” “Blaire Harrison… if you want to find someone new, fine. After we’re done.” Then, before I could even speak, he lowered his head and kissed me. 4 That was the first time Caleb had ever initiated a kiss with me. If I remembered correctly. It was also the only time in our three years together. The only time we spent an entire night in the same bed. The only time I ever pleaded with him to stop. The only time I fell asleep in his arms. 5 Three-year countdown: Day 7. Caleb left the country to participate in an important international competition. As expected, his team won the gold medal. I watched him stand on the podium, radiant and full of confidence. What I thought was, *Good. Good that he didn’t become self-destructive or succumb to pleasure because of me.* *Good that he remained strong and upward-striving, still shining brightly.* Three-year countdown: Day
I called my assistant, Drew, and had him wire a sum of money to Caleb’s account. The amount was quite astonishing; even Drew was surprised. I changed my clothes and went downstairs. I told my father, who was reading the newspaper in the living room, “I’ve reviewed the candidates you mentioned. I’ll go with Sawyer Hayes.” The eldest grandson of the Hayes family, the legitimate heiress of the Harrison family. A perfect match of status and wealth. My father put down his newspaper. “No more rebellion?” I smiled. “No more rebellion.” Five years ago, my elder brother, Leo, and his wife, Clara, died in a tragic car accident on a trip abroad. They died instantly, leaving only my two-year-old nephew, Arthur, who miraculously survived. My mother couldn’t bear such a blow; she fell ill and couldn’t recover. Only when little Arthur cried by her bedside did she finally pull herself together. Three months ago, Arthur was kidnapped on his way home from school. When he was rescued, he was deeply shaken and withdrawn, almost catatonic. This time, my mother completely collapsed. Her bloodline now consisted only of me and my nephew. Yet my half-siblings were all successful and accomplished adults. My father had built his empire on the foundation of my mother’s family fortune. I couldn’t let this family business fall into their hands. “Then the Hayes family it is,” my father nodded, satisfied. Half a day later, the news of my engagement to Sawyer Hayes spread like wildfire across the city. The wedding date was set for six months later. 6 The day Sawyer accompanied me to try on wedding dresses and jewelry. The news was playing on the TV at home. I happened to look up and saw Caleb.
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