Seraphina pushed open the booth door, just in time to hear a group of men inside discussing the brutal impact of first love. “Your turn, Julian, we’ve all spilled, you can’t back out now.” Hearing that name, Seraphina’s hand on the doorknob froze. After a long, heavy silence, Julian took a slow sip of his drink. A moment later, a low, husky voice, laced with the burn of his drink, finally broke the quiet. “I have her name tattooed near my heart. It’s never been removed.” “My biker jacket has a bloodstain from our very first time together. I’ve kept it, always.” “My current girlfriend? She’s her stand-in.” Each word struck Seraphina like a bolt of lightning. She felt her blood run cold, as if she’d plunged into an icy abyss. She, a mere stand-in for his first love?! The booth went silent for a beat, then erupted into a roar of cheers. “Holy sh*t, dude! That’s intense!” “Only you, Julian. You just won the whole damn game in three sentences. You’re a hopeless romantic, man.” “Heard Elara is returning from abroad soon. Since you’ve never forgotten her, won’t you two rekindle things? All those years of pining wouldn’t be for nothing. But what about your current girlfriend? Isn’t she your sister’s best friend? If you screw this up, they won’t even be friends anymore, will they?” Julian went silent, just for a beat. He didn’t answer. Seeing someone inside the booth about to step out, a pale Seraphina jolted awake. Her legs felt like jelly as she stumbled downstairs. Outside, it was pouring rain, but she walked right into it, as if she’d lost all sensation. The icy needles of rain lashed against her face, mixing with her own hot tears as they streamed down. Her eyes blurred with tears, the words she’d just heard echoing endlessly in her mind. Memories, like a slow tide, began to surge. Cole Remington was her best friend’s older brother, four years her senior. The first time she ever saw him, she and Skylar were cornered in an alley, being harassed by a group of bullies. They were at their wit’s end when Cole appeared on his motorcycle. He unlatched his helmet with a long, clean hand, his voice cool as he asked, “Are you the ones bothering my kid sister?” The moment he took off his helmet, revealing his face, Aurora Hayes felt her heart pound. Skylar had often gushed about her incredibly handsome older brother, but seeing him in person still took Aurora’s breath away. What was even more impressive was how effortlessly he took down the bullies with just a few high kicks, leaving them completely defeated. Back then, every girl in high school had a crush, except for her. But that day, she found hers. She fell for her best friend’s brother. As she entered college, her features matured and she grew into her looks. Egged on by Skylar, Aurora finally mustered the courage to pursue Cole. She prepared thoughtful breakfasts every day, constantly engineered “chance” encounters, and meticulously researched his hobbies to find topics of conversation. She pulled out all the stops, but Cole always treated her like a kid, distant and indifferent. Only occasionally would he lose himself for a moment, his gaze lingering on her face. It wasn’t until that day, when he was driving her home and an accident seemed imminent, that she threw herself in front of him without a second thought. Luckily, the brakes engaged just in time. She wasn’t seriously injured, just a nail-sized cut near her eye where it had grazed the seat. It was a minor scratch, but Cole was uncharacteristically agitated. He insisted on taking her to the hospital and repeatedly asked the doctor if it would scar. Only after receiving reassurance did he finally relax, then immediately scolded her, demanding to know why she’d lunged at him, asking if she had a death wish. Aurora looked at him, her eyes shining brightly, her affection completely unconcealed. “Because I like you, Cole.” Cole froze, then gave a cold, cynical smile. “Like? You’re just a kid. Do you even know what ‘like’ means? How long do you think that ‘like’ will last?” “Forever!” she declared without hesitation. “Cole, I’ll like you forever.” Perhaps it was the unwavering conviction in her tone, the sheer sincerity, that made Cole reach out for the first time and gently touch her cheek. He sighed, finally speaking the words she’d longed to hear. “Aurora, let’s give it a try.” From that day on, they were officially a couple. For three years, Cole, despite his reserved nature, was always there for her in the ways that mattered. Aurora never dared to ask for more. Until tonight, when a conversation she overheard shattered her self-made dream. The truth was, his occasional distracted stares at her face were because she was a substitute. The truth was, his fear of her face being injured was because she was a substitute. And the truth was, whenever they were intimate, he liked to look at her face… It was because she was a substitute. She sobbed uncontrollably, drenched and heartbroken, until she returned home, completely drained of strength, and collapsed helplessly on the floor. After an unknown amount of time, she slowly came back to herself. The tear tracks on her face had dried, and her mind felt clear. Aurora pulled a business card from her bag. It was given to her two weeks ago at a bar by a talent scout, after she impulsively sang an original song she’d written for Cole. He said she had an excellent voice and striking looks, asking if she was interested in becoming a singer. The company would take her abroad for three years of secret training, turning her into an A-list star. Singing was Aurora’s greatest passion, and she’d certainly harbored dreams of stardom. But to stay by Cole’s side, she’d refused the scout’s offer. Yet he’d insisted on leaving his contact information. Now, knowing the truth, there was no longer any reason for her to stay. Gazing at the number on the card, Aurora raised her cold, pale hand and dialed. The moment it connected, she cleared her hoarse, tired voice and spoke softly. “Hello, this is Aurora Hayes. I accept your offer to sign.” “Miss Hayes! You finally made up your mind? Great! Let’s connect on SnapChat and meet tomorrow.” Hearing the delighted voice on the other end, Aurora nodded, then quietly added him on SnapChat. Shortly after the call ended, she heard footsteps approaching the door. A few seconds later, the door opened, and Cole walked in, holding an umbrella. Seeing her sitting on the floor, disheveled, he frowned. “Why are you all wet?” “Forgot my umbrella.” Her damp hair obscured Aurora’s face, and as the sensor light dimmed, Cole couldn’t see her expression. He ruffled her hair. “Still acting like a kid. Remember to check the weather forecast next time.” Aurora didn’t respond. After he turned and entered the bathroom, she slowly pushed herself up, her body half-numb, and went to the other bathroom. After showering, she lay in bed, staring blankly at the white wall. A moment later, Cole slid under the covers beside her. The familiar scent of cedar wood filled her nostrils, and Aurora couldn’t help but recall what had happened that afternoon. She found herself hugging him, then slowly, slowly, pulling up Cole’s pajama shirt. Just an inch above his heart, three letters were distinctly tattooed: JZY! This wasn’t the first time she’d seen the tattoo. In moments of passion, she’d glimpsed it countless times, curious but never daring to ask. Now, seeing it again, her eyes welled up. Her voice, low and choked, asked, “What do these three letters mean?” Cole paused for two seconds, his gaze following hers downward. His voice was soft, yet imbued with an endless tenderness and affection she hadn’t felt from him in three years. “It means something very important.” He paused, as if misunderstanding her intention to pull up his shirt. “Alright, you got caught in the rain today, so I’ll leave you alone. Get some sleep.” With that, he gently pushed her hand away, pulled down his shirt, and turned off the light. The bedroom plunged into a suffocating silence. Only her silent tears continued to flow, dissolving into the boundless darkness of the night. The next morning, Cole was up early. Skipping breakfast, he was putting on his shoes, ready to leave. Seeing the relentless rain outside and remembering how much he hated going out in such weather, Aurora called out to him. “Don’t you have any flights scheduled recently? Why are you going out?” Cole seemed in good spirits, a faint smile gracing his usually cool eyes. He picked up his umbrella, twisted the doorknob, and said, “I have some important things to take care of. You stay home and be good.” His last words faded just as the door clicked shut. Watching his receding figure, Aurora silently turned back to the bedroom. Her eyes immediately fell on his phone, which was vibrating endlessly on the bedside table. She picked it up and saw the SnapChat chat interface. At the top center of the screen, the name of the chat partner appeared: Seraphina. “What time’s your flight today? It’s raining heavily outside. Don’t leave the terminal, I’ll drive to pick you up.” That eager tone, that concerned voice, was a stark contrast to his cool “remember to check the weather forecast” from last night. So, when it was pouring rain, he *would* go out to pick up someone he truly cared about. Aurora had only glanced at it when she heard footsteps at the door. She put the phone down and slipped into the walk-in closet before Cole entered the room. By the time she finished her makeup and came out, the phone was gone, and the house was empty. She grabbed her bag and went downstairs to hail a cab. Upon arriving at the agreed-upon coffee shop, Aurora spotted Mr. Davis, the talent scout, waiting for her at the entrance. After exchanging pleasantries, they went into a private room. Mr. Davis thoroughly explained the training plan and future career development, then produced a contract. Seeing the bold red “Luminara Records” seal on it, Aurora paused. Luminara Records was one of the top entertainment companies globally; countless people fought tooth and nail to get in. And she had almost given it all up. She offered a self-deprecating smile, then, without hesitation, signed her name. After receiving the signed contract, Mr. Davis’s face lit up with a look of having struck gold, his eyes crinkling with a wide smile. “Miss Hayes, when you refused me before, I truly felt it was such a waste. But I’m glad you came around. A true gem wasn’t left hidden after all. Don’t worry, Luminara’s strength in the industry is top-tier. We will definitely get you onto the most dazzling stage. This training will be an intensive, closed-door program. Go home, prepare, and we’ll depart in fifteen days.” Aurora made a mental note of the date and bid him a polite farewell. On her way home, Cole’s call suddenly came through, his voice incredibly urgent. “You’re not home?” She paused, about to speak, when she heard him again the next second: “No matter where you are, come to City General Hospital right now!” In all their time together, Aurora had never heard him sound so anxious. She hesitated for a few seconds, then told the driver to turn around. When she arrived at the ER, she saw Cole standing there, perfectly fine. It wasn’t him who was hurt, then it must be… Before she could even ask what had happened, a nurse led her into an adjacent room. “You’re O-negative, right?” Aurora, confused, nodded. The nurse immediately asked about her health and then plunged a thick needle directly into her skin. The sharp sting in her arm made her wince, and she realized with a jolt that she was donating blood. As the nurse monitored the blood flow, she chatted with Aurora. “Sweetheart, what’s your relationship with that handsome guy outside? His girlfriend was in a car accident outside the airport and was rushed in. He was frantic, even pulled strings to get our chief of staff here. The hospital’s blood bank was low, and he kept making call after call, finally calling you. He must be madly in love with his girlfriend.” Hearing those words, Aurora felt her heart clench. It was as if a pair of hands had gripped her heart tightly and then released it, yet she still couldn’t breathe, the lingering pain refusing to fade. So, Cole had called her here just to make her donate blood for Seraphina Thorne?! Not to mention how hurtful it was to have a substitute donate blood for the original, but he clearly knew she suffered from severe anemia… Had he forgotten, or did he simply not care in his desperation to save Seraphina? After the blood draw, she sat there for a full half-hour before slowly recovering. During that time, Cole never once came to check on her or ask a single question. It was easy to guess he was still by Seraphina’s side. Of course, she was just a substitute; how could she ever deserve his pity? Aurora gave a self-deprecating smile, then, leaning on the wall, she walked out and saw the operating room light switch off. The doctor pushed the patient out, and Cole quickly strode forward, his face etched with anxiety, following the gurney into the patient room. Through the window, Aurora watched him sitting by the bed, tightly holding Seraphina’s pale hands, his face a mix of fervent pleading and lingering terror. Her breath caught in her throat. In her memory, no matter what happened, Cole had always maintained a calm and detached demeanor, as if nothing concerned him. In the five years she’d known him, this was the first time she’d seen such an expression. This, then, was how he truly loved someone. For the next four or five days, Cole didn’t return home. Aurora knew he was at the hospital and didn’t contact him. She did three things. First, she submitted her resignation to her company. Second, she pulled out her suitcase and began packing. Third, she marked her departure date on the calendar. Watching the days draw nearer, her deeply confused heart slowly began to settle. On the first clear day after the rainy season ended, Cole finally came home. Almost immediately, he noticed that something was off in the apartment. He saw the cardboard boxes by the wall and frowned. “Why did you bring all your office things home?” Then he spotted the luggage in the bedroom, his breathing hitching slightly. “Why are you suddenly packing?” Finally, he saw the calendar on the wall with a circle drawn around a date, and turned to her. “What’s the circle on the 30th mean?” Three questions in a row made Aurora pause her actions. She didn’t hide anything. “I found a job I prefer recently, so I resigned. I’m packing because I’m moving somewhere quite far away. The 30th is the day I leave.” Taking a soft breath, she prepared to tell him about her departure and their breakup. “Do you have a moment? There’s something very important I want to discuss with you, I…” Mid-sentence, Cole’s phone suddenly rang. Seeing Seraphina Thorne’s name on the screen, he quickly answered. Through the receiver, Seraphina’s sweet voice came through. “Cole, thank you for taking care of me these past few days. My friends are throwing a welcome-back party for me. Want to come?” Cole was about to agree, but then seemed to remember something, glancing at Aurora. “What were you just saying you wanted to talk about? Was it important?” With that question, what else was there for her to understand? She shook her head. “No, it’s not important. If you have something to do, go ahead.” Hearing that unfamiliar voice, Seraphina chuckled, surprised. “Your girlfriend’s there too? Then bring her along! She’s the one who donated blood for me, right? I haven’t properly thanked her yet.” Cole froze at the mention of blood donation, instinctively covering the receiver and moving aside. What they discussed, Aurora didn’t know, but Cole left the house with her. She hadn’t even had a chance to refuse when he eagerly ushered her into the car. On the way, he offered a brief explanation for what had happened a few days prior. “The person who just called is… a friend of mine. She was in a car accident shortly after returning to the country a few days ago, and the hospital’s blood bank was low. I remembered you two have the same blood type, and the situation was urgent, so I called you. I didn’t have time to explain. Have you been upset about it these past few days, since you haven’t messaged me?” “No, I have anemia, so I’ve been resting these past few days, which is why I haven’t contacted you.” Aurora’s tone was flat, as if she didn’t care at all. Seeing her pale face, Cole’s heart clenched, and a wave of guilt washed over him. *Right, how could he have forgotten her anemia?* He was about to apologize and ask what gift she wanted as compensation, but she had already closed her eyes, seemingly indifferent. In the end, he could only stop himself from speaking. The two got out of the car and walked directly to the designated private room. But as soon as they pushed open the door, they felt the oppressive atmosphere in the room. It was supposed to be a welcome-back party, but almost everyone present was male, mostly Cole’s friends. They all looked at him, hesitant, as if wanting to say something. But before they could speak, Seraphina smiled and greeted them, “You’re here.” Her gaze fell on Aurora’s face, and she paused, then smiled again. “So this is your little girlfriend? She looks so young. Thanks for donating blood for me last time, you actually saved my life, you know. From now on, if you ever need anything, just ask, and I’ll be there.” Aurora forced a smile. “You flatter me.” Seraphina chuckled, told them to sit anywhere, and then went to greet other newly arrived guests. Though Seraphina wasn’t near, Cole’s gaze remained fixed on her. Seeing her chatting and laughing with other men, his face immediately darkened. When he saw her take a few extra bites of a macaroon, he silently instructed a server to bring all the macaroons in the club to her table. When a champagne tower was accidentally knocked over and threatened to fall on her, he immediately rose and shielded her in his arms. “Careful!” Sharp glass shards cut his left hand in several places. Everyone urged him to go to the hospital to get it treated. But he just casually wrapped a silk scarf around it, completely unconcerned. “Minor injury, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Watching the white silk scarf stain red with blood, Aurora put the car keys she had just taken out back into her bag. The room was quiet for a few minutes, then quickly regained its lively atmosphere. At eight o’clock, seeing that everyone was having a good time, Seraphina picked up the microphone and announced loudly, “Everyone’s here now, so I can finally announce something important!” “I’m sure you all know I broke up with my ex before coming back. I called everyone here today for a blind date. I’m looking for a new boyfriend!” At that, everyone fearfully looked at Cole. He said nothing, just stared intently at her, crushing the glass in his hand! Blood covered his hand, but Seraphina was oblivious, instead raising her glass to him with a smile. “Cole, I didn’t call you here for nothing. I need you to help me vet these guys, tell me which of your friends is a good match for me?” The private room fell silent. Seeing everyone’s evasive glances and Cole’s darkened face, Aurora finally understood why the atmosphere had been so strange when they first arrived. Just as everyone was on edge, a guy sitting in the middle suddenly stood up. “I…” Before he could even finish “need to use the restroom,” Cole flipped the table in front of him, his cold gaze sweeping over the guy. “You dare to say yes, you damn well try me?!” Suddenly challenged, the friend was speechless, unsure whether to stand or sit. Cole, his hand clenched and bloody, walked up to Seraphina, his eyes red and his voice trembling with accusation. “Seraphina Thorne, sometimes I really wonder if you have a heart.” With that, he turned and left the private room without looking back, slamming the door shut. He had completely forgotten he’d left his girlfriend behind. With things escalating like this, the welcome party couldn’t continue. Aurora offered a self-deprecating smile and headed to the restroom. As she walked down the hallway, she heard Cole’s friends arguing with Seraphina Thorne. “Seraphina, what are you thinking? Why do you insist on pulling stunts to anger Cole? You, more than anyone, should know he’s always wanted to get back with you, right? He’s been so obsessed with you, who among us would dare make a move?” “Just because he wants to get back together, I should agree? With no sincerity at all?” “Sincerity? Damn it, what more sincerity do you want?! Do you have any idea what he’s been through all these years? In our circles, you don’t see this kind of devotion. He, a golden boy from a powerful family, how crazy has he been for you?” “After you broke up and went abroad, he drank every day, almost killing himself. The moment you’d post on Ins about liking something, he’d immediately buy it, no matter the cost, then fly abroad overnight to secretly leave it at your doorstep. A while ago, you told your best friend you hadn’t seen fireworks in ages, and he immediately arranged a grand fireworks show in Paris. Don’t tell me you didn’t know any of this…” Hearing the friend’s indignant tone, Aurora’s hand trembled slightly. In the years they had been together, Cole had often disappeared mysteriously. It turned out it was all for Seraphina. The argument in the hallway intensified, but Seraphina seemed utterly unconcerned. “He’s willing to do all that for me, it’s not like I forced him. Besides, they’re just minor things, what’s the big deal? Let’s see him risk his life for me one day.” “Seraphina, you’re just taking advantage of Cole’s love and pushing your luck! One day, when his patience runs out and he stops loving you, you’ll regret it!” “Stop loving me? Laughable. He even found a girlfriend who’s my substitute. How could he not love me? My business with him is none of your concern!” Seraphina’s tone was full of certainty. After saying that, she turned around, smug, only to come face to face with Aurora, who was standing not far away! Seeing her there, everyone froze. Seraphina, however, quickly recovered. With Cole gone, she dropped her polite facade and swept a pitying glance over Aurora. “You heard all that? Good. Otherwise, it would be too pathetic to remain in the dark. Little girl, you’re nothing but a minor character in Cole and my story. I advise you to cut your losses and leave now.” With that, she clicked away on her high heels. The hallway instantly fell silent, leaving Cole’s friends red-faced and stammering explanations. “Aurora, it’s not what you heard, it’s… it’s…” They desperately wanted to explain, but couldn’t find the right words. Because everyone knew the truth was exactly as it seemed. Seeing how nervous they were, Aurora didn’t want to make it harder for them. She asked nothing, simply turned and left. As she reached the ground floor, hailing a cab, a rose-colored sports car suddenly sped past, splashing through a puddle. Dirty water splattered all over Aurora, drenching half her clothes. She frowned, looking up, and saw Seraphina’s gloating face behind the car window. “Little extra, if you don’t wise up and leave on your own, you might end up even more pathetic than this!” With that, she drove off. Aurora pulled tissues from her bag and slowly wiped the water from her face. She tossed the wet tissues into a bin, then looked up at the clear blue sky, a single tear falling. *An extra?* No, she was never anyone’s extra. Cole Remington was simply written out of her script. Back home, Aurora’s mood had settled. She ate something, showered, and then rested. At three in the morning, the bedroom light suddenly flickered on. A drunken Cole stumbled in, grabbing the startled Aurora and pulling her into his arms. “Why do you have to torment me like this? You know I can’t let you go, why won’t you give me another chance?” “You know I like you, yet you go on blind dates right in front of me. Do you enjoy humiliating me? Are you happy seeing me suffer for you? Fine, I’m in pain. I’ll give you whatever you want, as long as you’re still mine.” Seeing the agony on his face, Aurora exerted some strength and struggled out of his embrace. She watched him collapse onto the bed, still mumbling Seraphina’s name, and offered a self-deprecating smile. *So this is what you’re like when you love someone.* *So our three years together really meant nothing to you.* Her eyes red, she picked up a pillow and left the bedroom, turning off the light. The room plunged back into darkness. Cole continued to ramble in his drunken stupor, but no one was listening. The next day, Cole didn’t wake until noon. His head felt like it was splitting from the hangover as he forced himself to sit up. Aurora was by the window, tidying small trinkets. Seeing her back, a vague memory flashed in his mind, and he froze. “I drank too much yesterday. Did I say anything dumb?” Seeing her shake her head, Cole’s suspended heart slowly eased. He raised a hand to rub his temple, pulled at a wound, and winced. Aurora, who had just turned around, saw the untreated wound on his hand, inflamed from drinking. Cole was a pilot; he’d need to fly again. Only now did he remember he needed to take care of it. “Where’s the first-aid kit?” Aurora said nothing, turning to retrieve the first-aid kit from the living room. “It has everything you could need.” Cole couldn’t help but chuckle. “How could it have everything…?” But when he opened it, seeing the orderly array of medicines, from cold remedies to stomach pills, he froze. “You… prepared all this?” Aurora nodded. “Yes. You’re a pilot, you can’t get hurt, so I prepared the medicine very carefully, just in case you needed it in a hurry.” At her words, Cole’s mind buzzed, and he suddenly remembered a cascade of things he’d belatedly realized. He thought of the countless nights he’d returned home drunk, and how she’d tirelessly brewed hangover cures for him; how she’d immediately looked up recipes and learned to cook anything he casually mentioned wanting to eat; how, over the years, whenever he had been sick, big or small, she’d always known how to handle it… He remembered when they first started dating, Skylar had repeatedly told him that Aurora was a pampered princess who never had to lift a finger at home and that he needed to fulfill his duties as a boyfriend. He was a few years older than her, yet in this relationship, Aurora had always been the one taking care of him. In that moment, Cole was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. He looked at her, his face full of shame, wanting to say something. But then he saw her pick up her bag, seemingly not intending to treat his wound, but preparing to leave. He was surprised. “Are you going out?” Aurora hummed, putting on her hat. “Skylar and I planned to have lunch together.” Cole then remembered his sister had just returned from a trip. He quickly grabbed the medicine, hastily treated his hand, and followed her to the entryway. “I’ll drive you.” Aurora was about to refuse, but he took her hand directly, grabbed his car keys, and led her out the door. Once in the car, Cole set the GPS while asking about their afternoon plans. Hearing they were going shopping, he was about to offer to join them when his phone buzzed with a new message. He glanced at it, pulled the car to the side of the road, and looked at Aurora apologetically. “I wanted to spend the day with you, but I just got a message about a last-minute flight assignment. Aurora, can you take a cab?” Aurora had seen his flight mission notification, so she knew he wasn’t lying. She nodded and opened the car door. After his car disappeared from sight, she hailed a taxi. When she arrived at the agreed-upon restaurant, Skylar had already placed their order. She excitedly pulled out a gift and presented it to Aurora, her voice brimming with joy. “Ta-da! My travel gift! Open it quickly and see if you like it!” Aurora placed the gift on her lap, not opening it immediately. Instead, she looked up at Skylar, her expression serious. “Skylar, there’s something I want to tell you. I… plan to break up with your brother and then go to Vienna for advanced studies. It’ll probably be for three years.” Skylar’s eyes widened. “What?! Why so sudden? You two were doing so well, why break up?” Aurora smiled, telling her the truth. “Because your brother doesn’t like me. He only got together with me because I look like his ex-girlfriend. He’s always treated me as a substitute.” She had long since made peace with it, so she spoke without emotion. But Skylar, upon hearing this, was instantly enraged. She slammed her hand on the table, her voice filled with disbelief. “Ex-girlfriend? Who? That Seraphina Thorne? When they broke up, Cole seemed to be drunk all the time. After all these years, he still hasn’t gotten over her? How does that Seraphina even look like you? You’re so much prettier than her! My brother ignores you, someone who’s completely devoted to him, and still thinks about her, even using you as her substitute?!” The more she spoke, the angrier she became. Finally, she abandoned her meal. After inquiring about Cole’s whereabouts for a while, she stormed out. Aurora knew Skylar was always very afraid of her brother, but now she was sticking up for her like this. Aurora was deeply touched, but she had already decided to let Cole go and didn’t want things to get ugly, so she quickly tried to stop her. But despite her efforts, Skylar still rushed to the Nightfall Club. At the private room door, just as she was about to push it open, she saw Seraphina standing in the center of the crowd, looking haughtily at Cole. “If you want me to forgive you so badly, fine. Give me a piggyback ride, and I’ll consider it.” At her words, Cole hadn’t even spoken, but several of his friends immediately bristled, stepping forward to intervene. “Seraphina Thorne, you’re going too far! You were the one in the wrong that day, making a big deal about picking a boyfriend, which made Cole angry enough to storm out!” “Now you casually say you want to see him, and Cole, to make you happy, even pushed off an urgent last-minute work assignment and came here to apologize without even changing out of his uniform. Why are you being so unreasonable!” “Exactly! Cole is no ordinary person. No one in this city’s most exclusive circles would dare speak so arrogantly to him. How can you humiliate him like this!” Facing these accusations, Seraphina remained unfazed. “I don’t care about any of that. He was so fierce that day, he scared me. So, I want him to apologize like this. Besides, what’s wrong with giving the person you like a piggyback ride? If he’s too high and mighty, he shouldn’t have come to me.” Amidst the swirling arguments, Cole’s face was cold. A moment later, he met Seraphina’s spoiled gaze and said in a low voice, “If I give you a ride, will you stop looking for boyfriends?” “Yes.” Receiving her firm answer, Cole unbuttoned the top few buttons of his pilot uniform and slowly bent down. “Get on.” Everyone’s mouths hung open, their eyes wide with shock. Seeing Seraphina triumphantly climb onto his back, Skylar, standing outside the private room, was fuming. She gritted her teeth, ready to charge in, but Aurora dragged her into the elevator. Skylar struggled and cursed, then turned back, about to tell Aurora to let go, but she froze the moment she saw Aurora’s expression. There was no emotion on Aurora’s face, but tears were streaming down like broken pearls, pattering onto Skylar’s hand and extinguishing the fire in her heart. She quickly pulled Aurora into a hug, anxiously and tenderly wiping her tears, her own voice catching in her throat. “Aurora, don’t cry, please don’t cry.” “Okay, okay, you don’t have to be with my brother anymore. I’ll introduce you to other handsome guys later, alright?” Aurora smiled, trying hard to swallow the bitterness, but her sobs wouldn’t stop. “Actually, actually, I’m not that sad. I’ve decided to let him go and start a new life.” But why were the tears falling? Perhaps witnessing it all firsthand, remembering so many past events, she was suddenly struck by a realization. It turned out that when Cole truly loved someone, he would be affected by their emotions, he would rush to them regardless of anything, he would humble himself and soften his pride. His love would be undeniably clear for all to see. And she had never been loved by him. Back home, Aurora’s mood had calmed. Waking up, another day had passed, bringing her closer to her departure. She went alone to a concert of her favorite singer, recording the blue sea of glow sticks swaying with the cheering crowd. She pinned this video to the top of her Ins profile, then deleted all the posts she had shared during their relationship. Her few close friends, knowing she was pursuing her dreams, left encouraging comments. “Aurora, I hope one day I can be your biggest fan too!” “Future superstar, is it too much to ask for a signed autograph now?” Cole, who had been uncontactable for days, also liked the post. Seeing the sudden red heart, Aurora was surprised. She remembered Cole never posted on Ins and never looked at other people’s posts. It wasn’t until she saw a few messages from Skylar that she understood why. “Aurora, I got that girl’s SnapChat, it’s driving me crazy!” Below it were several screenshots of Seraphina’s daily posts: sunsets by the beach, leisurely strolls through flower fields, city lights and candlelight dinners… Each post had a comment from Cole. “Why didn’t you post the one I took?” “I heard the cherry blossoms on West Hill are blooming too. I’ll take you in a couple of days.” “Shrimp is a bit hard to peel, but since you like it, I don’t mind.” Scrolling through them, it was like a typical couple’s dating diary. It turned out he’d been so busy monitoring Seraphina’s comments that he’d accidentally seen hers and casually liked it. Aurora offered a small smile, reassured Skylar a few times, and quietly organized all the gifts Cole had given her, the various couple’s items they’d bought, and the photos and diary entries from the past three years. She made several trips to carry them downstairs, ready to throw them away, when she saw Cole suddenly return. He seemed to be in a good mood, a smile gracing his eyes. Seeing her, he paused, then veered to greet her. “What’s in the boxes? Are you throwing all this away?” “Just some old clutter I don’t need.” Cole nodded, handed her a cake he was holding, and bent down to help. The moment she saw the cake, Aurora froze for a second. “Why did you suddenly buy a cake?” At her words, Cole stopped, his face slightly falling as he looked at her. “You don’t remember? Today is my birthday.” *His birthday?* Aurora just remembered it was around this time. A month ago, she had been agonizing over what gift to get him. But after learning she was a substitute and deciding to leave, she had completely forgotten about it. After all, he would soon be her ex-boyfriend, what was the point of remembering his birthday? Seeing the fleeting look of realization on her face, Cole’s breathing deepened slightly. Many people had sent him birthday wishes this morning. Only Aurora hadn’t sent anything. He’d thought she was preparing a surprise. Had she forgotten? It wasn’t a crucial matter, but for some reason, Cole felt unsettled, a dull ache in his chest. After all, whether it was an anniversary or his birthday, the little girl used to spend ages preparing and celebrating grandly. Why had she forgotten this year? She was clearly the one who loved him most. Just as he was about to speak, his phone buzzed several times. It was a message from Seraphina, saying she was throwing him a birthday party. Seeing the address and his friends’ teasing in the group chat, Cole clenched his phone slightly. His earlier gloom vanished, a hint of a smile touching his eyes. As he replied to the messages, he turned to leave. Aurora called out to him. “Your birthday…” Cole paused. “I have something to go do right now. When I get back later, we can celebrate together.” Aurora hummed, quietly watching him leave. Once his figure completely disappeared, she threw all the boxes away. Recalling Cole’s overjoyed expression, she knew he wouldn’t be back to celebrate with her today. Strangely, she felt a sense of relief. The trash can was nearly full, so she casually tossed the cake in too, then turned and went upstairs. A few hours later, Aurora received a message from Mr. Davis. “We’re leaving tomorrow. I’ll pick you up at nine in the morning.” She had just replied “ok” when a voice message from Cole’s friend suddenly came through. “Aurora, come to the Hilton Hotel. Cole’s in trouble, you need to hurry!” Listening to his frantic tone, Aurora froze. The next second, Skylar also called, her voice choked with tears. “Aurora, my brother, my brother…” Only then did she realize the seriousness of the situation, and quickly went downstairs to hail a cab. As soon as she got out of the car, Skylar pulled Aurora and sprinted towards the lake, intermittently explaining what had happened along the way. “Seraphina’s ex-boyfriend followed her from abroad to the hotel, trying to get back together. Cole got angry and fought him. Instead of stopping them, she egged them on, threw a necklace into the lake, and said whoever retrieved it, she’d be with. Her ex was about to jump in, and my brother was going to follow him. There’s a cliff under that lake, even professional divers wouldn’t dare go down. We tried to talk him out of it for ages, but he wouldn’t listen. Aurora, please help me, he’s my only brother!” The more she listened, the more silent Aurora became. She wanted to tell Skylar that if it involved Seraphina Thorne, a hundred of her wouldn’t be able to convince Cole. But looking at Skylar’s red, tear-filled eyes, Aurora couldn’t bring herself to speak. When they reached the lakeside, Cole was still putting on his diving suit. Seraphina’s ex-boyfriend, fully ready, had already plunged into the lake. Watching his figure disappear beneath the surface, a cold glint flashed in Cole’s eyes, and his movements quickened. His friends around him were as anxious as ants on a hot pan, pleading endlessly. “The lake is so deep, the necklace is definitely lost. It’s pointless for anyone to go down, Cole, don’t be a fool!” “Is it worth risking your life for a woman? Cole Remington, damn it, get a grip!” Cole didn’t hear a word. He put on his oxygen mask and shoved aside the group of people blocking his way. Skylar couldn’t hold back any longer. She rushed forward and grabbed him, her voice filled with despair. “You’re going to die just because of her words? Brother, have you thought about Mom and Dad and me? Have you thought about Aurora? If you go today, I, Skylar Remington, will no longer have you as a brother!” The atmosphere on the scene instantly froze. Cole stopped, turning to look steadily at his sister. After a long moment, he raised his hand, took hers, and his voice was low. “I’ll be back. Don’t tell Mom and Dad about this, and don’t tell Aurora.” With that, he peeled Skylar’s fingers off one by one, and resolutely leaped into the water. Watching the ripples spread across the lake’s surface, Aurora stood not far away, her hands tightly clenched. The surroundings were quiet, but someone let out a soft laugh, immediately drawing all eyes. It was Seraphina Thorne. She walked haughtily up to Aurora, her face filled with triumph. “He loves me so much he’s willing to die for me. Aurora Hayes, what do you have to compare with that?” “Seraphina Thorne, joking about someone’s life, you’re sick, go get help!” Seeing her gloating, Skylar, who was sobbing so hard she could barely breathe, lunged forward and slapped her hard. Seraphina had never been treated this way and was about to retaliate, but the onlookers quickly pulled them apart. Aurora helped Skylar, comforting her for a long time until she slowly calmed down, staring blankly at the monitoring screen. An hour later, Noah Foster, whose oxygen had run out first, surfaced. The quiet lakeside immediately became agitated. Everyone craned their necks, waiting for Cole. But another five minutes passed, and with his oxygen almost certainly depleted, they still didn’t see him. Panic set in. Only Aurora remained composed. She contacted the Hilton’s rescue team, pleading for their help. Five or six professional divers plunged into the lake. Another ten minutes passed without any movement. Skylar was on the verge of breaking down. Even Seraphina, who had been leisurely watching earlier, became anxious and uneasy. Aurora’s face showed little emotion, but her fingernails were digging deep into her palms. Seraphina’s friends, who had been watching the drama unfold, began to speak despairingly, their voices trembling. “It’s over, it’s over. His oxygen’s been depleted for so long, and he still hasn’t been brought up. It’s probably bad news.” “If something happens, will the Remington family let us off…?” “What does that have to do with us? He’s the one who wanted to risk his life for Seraphina.” Before they could finish, a sound suddenly came from the long-still lake surface. Several rescue personnel were dragging someone, slowly swimming towards the shore. A crowd immediately rushed forward, helping to pull the person onto land. Cole was on the verge of losing consciousness. After his oxygen mask was removed, seeing his pale face, his friends and Skylar’s eyes reddened. But he pressed his hand to his chest, his gaze fixed on Seraphina’s direction. “I… found it. The necklace…” He then slowly raised his trembling right hand. The diamond necklace, washed by the water, reflected a dazzling sparkle in the late afternoon sun. It was too brilliant. And too blinding. His gaze remained on Seraphina, never once noticing Aurora standing nearby. She watched, helpless, as he so passionately loved another. Cole was rushed to the hospital. Aurora stayed with Skylar, keeping vigil in the hospital room all night. At eight in the morning, her pre-set alarm went off. Seeing “Departure” noted on the screen, Skylar suddenly snapped back to reality, hugging Aurora with a reluctant embrace. “Aurora, don’t go, please don’t go. If you leave now, won’t we only see each other again in three years? By then, you’ll be a sparkling superstar, and it’ll be even harder for us to meet. I’ll miss you so much…” Aurora’s eyes also reddened as she gently patted Skylar’s back. After much coaxing, Skylar tearfully and reluctantly saw her off. Aurora walked out of the hospital main entrance, about to hail a cab, when she suddenly paused. She had said goodbye to everyone. Except for Cole. After much thought, she decided their three-year relationship deserved a proper conclusion. She turned and went back inside. Just as she reached the hospital room door, she heard a familiar voice from within. Seraphina was in Cole’s arms, crying her eyes out. “I just wanted you to make a statement, you could have come up without the necklace, why are you so silly?” “I know you still like me. If you just broke up with her and said you wanted to be with me, I would have agreed. Couldn’t you have just softened up for me?” Cole had waited six years for these words. But hearing them now, his heart wasn’t as happy as he’d imagined. Instead, the words “break up” made him unexpectedly think of Aurora. The image of the girl selflessly throwing herself in front of him to shield him from the car, her eyes red as she said she’d love him forever, her laughing face celebrating his birthday, her passionate and adoring expressions countless times beneath him… In an instant, his head throbbed, his mind a chaotic mess, unsure how to answer. Just then, he inadvertently looked up, and for a fleeting moment, he saw Aurora. She stood outside the glass window, watching him steadily. Her dark eyes were like a calm lake, unruffled by any ripples. The moment their gazes met, Cole completely lost his composure. He pushed away the person in his arms and stood up, only to find that the person outside the window had vanished. He chased out, but the hallway was empty. Was it a hallucination? It must be. He hadn’t let anyone tell Aurora about him risking his life to retrieve the necklace for Seraphina, so she wouldn’t know he was hospitalized and wouldn’t come to see him. Cole’s heart pounded wildly. He had a strong feeling that something was slipping out of his control. But what exactly, he couldn’t quite grasp yet. On the other side, Aurora had given up on saying goodbye. Back home, she quietly tore off the calendar page, placed her apartment keys on the table, then picked up her luggage and went downstairs. On the way to the airport, Aurora opened Cole Remington’s chat. After a long deliberation, she typed only three lines. “We should break up. Thank you for taking care of me all these years.” “I also wish you and Seraphina happiness.” “Cole, I’m leaving. Goodbye forever.” With one sentence, she let go of three years of emotions. With one wish for happiness, she granted him his freedom. With one “goodbye forever,” she declared there was no longer any possibility between them. From now on, he would simply be her best friend’s brother. She pressed send. For a long time, there was no reply. Aurora knew Cole was with Seraphina now and probably had no time to check such unimportant messages. Besides, even if he did see them later when he was free, he probably wouldn’t feel any emotional波动. After all, with the person he loved by his side, why would he care about an ex-girlfriend who was just a substitute? Before boarding, Mr. Davis handed her a new phone. “Aurora, according to the contract, you need to disconnect from the outside world starting today. This is your work phone.” Aurora nodded, took out her old phone, and made the exchange. The plane was just taking off, the broadcast was a bit noisy, and a few girls in the back were chattering non-stop. Aurora didn’t see the screen of her old phone light up just before it powered off. Nor did she hear the continuous, frantic dinging of notifications. She turned her head, looking out the airplane window at the cloudy sky turning clear, and smiled faintly. From now on, Aurora Hayes’s life would only be sunny… Three years together, Cole Remington never imagined he would receive a breakup message from Aurora Hayes. When they first started dating, he didn’t know how long the relationship would last. A few days, a few months, a few years—it would be one of those. He had someone he couldn’t let go of in his heart, and Aurora was just a temporary port. So he had invested almost no real feelings in the relationship. Her hopeful eyes when she spoke of marriage, her tears on the verge of falling when she felt wronged… Cole had seen it all, but never truly taken it to heart. He thought he could remain as cold as iron, treating her merely as a substitute to get through those difficult years. But when the person he had longed for in his dreams returned, he found himself not as ruthless and decisive as he’d imagined. The person who should have broken up with him early on had stayed by his side, becoming a crucial obstacle to his reunion with Seraphina. Everyone around him urged him that only a swift cut could untangle the knot. But he struggled and clung to his old love, refusing to let go, while at the same time wavering over his substitute, unable to harden his heart. He couldn’t make a choice, foolishly hoping to drag things out. Until he saw those three messages with his own eyes. Cole felt as if his soul had been sucked out. His mind was blank, hazy, as if he were in a dream. He couldn’t tell if this was a hallucination from lack of oxygen, or the stark, inescapable reality he had to face. If it was a hallucination, why did it feel so real? If it was reality, how could Aurora break up with him? She had chased him for so many years, said she would love him forever. How could she let go so easily? Cole couldn’t make sense of it. He rubbed his eyes hard, slapped his face a few times, trying to make himself clear-headed. But when he looked down again, he still saw those two messages. Only then did he realize that what he thought was a hallucination was very likely reality. In an instant, he shot up from the hospital bed. His slightly trembling fingers furiously tapped on the screen. “Aurora, can we talk?” “There are some things I can explain to you.” “Where are you? Home, or with Skylar?” A flurry of messages, one after another, sent rattling through the phone, but they vanished without a trace, receiving no reply. Cole’s patience slowly ran out. He couldn’t sit still any longer. He ripped the IV needle from his hand, bolted downstairs, and drove frantically home. Skylar had only slept three hours when Cole, bursting in like a madman, woke her up. He shook her, his voice trembling. “Skylar, where’s Aurora? Where did she go?” The accumulated anger of days, mixed with the shock of being woken, made Skylar snap. She threw off the covers, stood up, and slapped Cole across the face. “Don’t you have your precious Seraphina now? Why do you care about Aurora?!” The stinging pain on his face briefly brought Cole back to his senses. He looked at his enraged sister, a twisted expression on his face, somewhere between a smile and a cry. “I… I can explain. Just tell me where she is first?” At his words, Skylar let out a bitter laugh. She looked at him coldly, unleashing all the words she had held back for so long. “Explain? Explain what? Explain how you used Aurora as a substitute for three years? Cole Remington, do you have to be so disgusting to Aurora, and to me?” “Where she went is none of your business! She finally put the past behind her and is starting a new life. Don’t you know a good ex should be like a dead person?” “Go find Seraphina, why don’t you? Weren’t you so desperate for her, you even abandoned your family? Go marry her and get out of the Remington family! I, Skylar Remington, don’t have a brother like you!” She seemed to be so furious that her voice was choked with tears by the end. Cole was shoved out of the room. The door slammed shut with a bang. He stared at the closed door, feeling his last shred of hope shatter with that sound. *Aurora knew. She knew he had used her as a substitute?* He felt all his strength drain away, stumbling a few steps. The guilt and regret, hidden deep within his heart for so long, erupted like a volcano, completely engulfing him. Seraphina, carrying chicken soup, walked into the hospital room and froze at the sight of the empty bed. The nurse, tidying medical equipment nearby, was muttering to herself. “What’s the rush? Even pulled out his IV.” Seraphina’s heart sank. She quickly pulled out her phone to contact Cole. No replies to messages, no answers to calls. After waiting half an hour without a response, Seraphina grew irritated. She called Noah. “Where’s Cole? Has he contacted you?” Hearing only the first part, Seraphina’s impatient expression instantly vanished. Her eyes lit up with delight. She hung up the phone, grabbed her bag, and leisurely left. She hailed a cab and went directly to the Remington family estate without a word. Since Aurora had been so sensible as to break up with him, Cole was now completely in her grasp. The thought of a blissful life where she could openly boss him around and enjoy the Remington family’s resources and connections made her feel utterly elated. When the car stopped at the villa entrance, the butler saw her and was about to announce her, but she waved him off and walked straight in. As soon as she entered the living room, Seraphina saw Cole sitting by the staircase, head down, busy on his phone. She put on a sweet smile and called his name softly. Cole seemed not to hear, not even lifting his head. Instead, a door on the second floor opened. Skylar, in her pajamas, walked out, her eyes filled with coldness as she looked at Seraphina. “Our family doesn’t welcome just any random person. Butler, escort her out!” Seraphina never expected Skylar to treat her with such disrespect, especially in front of Cole. She swallowed her anger, but due to their social standing, she could only suppress her resentment and stiffly change the subject. “I came to see Cole. What does that have to do with you?” “Then both of you can roll out!” Hearing Skylar’s undisguised disgust, the butler, who had been following behind, trembled and quickly gestured for Seraphina to leave. For Seraphina, this gesture was tantamount to humiliation. She stomped her foot a few times, walked up to Cole, and began to complain tearfully. “Cole, I didn’t do anything to your sister, why does she always target me?” Cole raised his pallid, lifeless face. The light that used to shine in his eyes when he looked at her was gone. “You should go home for now.” The expected favoritism didn’t happen, and Seraphina froze. She looked at the imperious Skylar upstairs, her face filled with disbelief. “You’re telling me to leave? Cole Remington, think carefully. If I walk out that door today, even if you beg me, I will never step foot in your house again!” Faced with her threat, Cole was at his breaking point, his voice anxious. “Please stop making a scene, can you just let me cool down for a bit?” From his tone, Seraphina sensed something was wrong with his mood. She was about to ask what had happened, but Skylar had lost her patience. “Our family doesn’t welcome people like you. Are you deaf?” The butler, who had been trying to stay out of it, heard his young lady was truly angry and dared not delay any longer. He called for some maids to escort Seraphina out. She refused to yield, and in the struggle, she overturned the coffee table. The crisp sound of glass smashing on the floor echoed, fragments scattering. The entire living room fell silent. Skylar, enraged, rushed down, ready to settle scores. But the anger that had nowhere to vent was swallowed back when she saw the figures at the doorway. “Mom, Dad, why are you back?” In an instant, all eyes turned to the doorway. Mr. and Mrs. Remington, who had flown back overnight from Europe, looked at their son, who was weak and dejected, and at the chaotic mess before them. Their worry slowly turned into displeasure. “What’s all this commotion?” The instigator shivered at the question. Seraphina quickly composed herself, putting on a docile expression. “Hello, Uncle, Auntie…” Seeing her change expressions faster than flipping a book, Skylar sneered and directly interrupted her. “Brother brought some disreputable woman home and wants to tear our house apart.” “No, it’s all a misunderstanding, Uncle, Auntie, I can explain.” Mr. and Mrs. Remington stared coldly at the unfamiliar woman for a long time, effectively silencing her. “Are you Seraphina Thorne?” Hearing Mrs. Remington’s question, Seraphina thought Cole had praised her to his parents and quickly admitted, “Yes, that’s me.” At that answer, Mr. Remington’s face darkened, and he ruthlessly ordered her out. “See her out. And she’s not to be allowed in again!” Given the family patriarch’s command, the maids no longer dared to hesitate. They roughly dragged Seraphina out. Cole, who had been silent for a long time, saw this and forced himself to stand up. “Seraphina, she…” *Slap!* Mr. Remington delivered a harsh slap to his son, his voice filled with disappointment. “I heard all about what happened yesterday. You risked your life for a woman, Cole Remington, you’re an absolute disgrace! Did you even think what would happen to your sister if you’d died in that water yesterday? What about your mother? What about the Remington family?” “I’m telling you, your mother and I will never approve of this Seraphina marrying into this family! Either you get out of the Remington family, or you cut ties with her completely!” Though a distance away, Seraphina clearly heard every word. Her face instantly went ashen. She never imagined that a casual joke could cause such a huge dispute, escalating all the way to Mr. and Mrs. Remington. If it was true what they said, then she and Cole would never have a chance, would they? But Aurora had already broken up with him, and they were on the verge of getting back together, why this setback? After being dragged to the door and left outside, Seraphina felt resentful. She forced down her panic and sent Cole over a dozen messages, trying to explain. Time ticked by, and it was almost dark, but he hadn’t replied to a single one. Looking at the blank chat interface, Seraphina grew increasingly uncertain. She quickly hailed a cab to consult her friends, and on the way, she contacted Cole’s friends to inquire about the situation. Soon, a message came back, but not the one she wanted to hear. “Cole has been contacting everyone all afternoon, trying to find out where Aurora went after they broke up. We’ve searched the whole city and haven’t found a single lead about her. He’s practically losing his mind!” Cole was distraught like this because of Aurora? This news hit Seraphina hundreds of times harder than Mr. and Mrs. Remington’s words. She never imagined that a departed substitute could make Cole abandon her. In an instant, her panic turned to rage, her face clouding with fury. And after her initial anger subsided, what emerged was more scorn and dissatisfaction. *Aurora Hayes, who does she think she is?* After being thoroughly lectured, Cole was confined to his room for reflection. He stared unblinkingly at his phone screen, afraid to miss any message. But every reply he received was, without exception, “no.” The more he saw, the deeper his heartache grew. His fingers dug tightly into his flesh, leaving crimson marks, yet it couldn’t alleviate his anxiety and restlessness. He had practically blown up every phone. But whether by car or train, air or sea, he couldn’t find Aurora Hayes’s name. Had she stayed in the city, or had she left by some other means? Cole didn’t know. He had also tried to contact her friends, but no one would answer his calls, and those who did only offered a cold “I don’t know” or a sarcastic jab. He was at his wit’s end, yet he had no choice but to rack his brain for solutions. He waited from afternoon until midnight, without a moment’s rest. Just as his anxiety reached its peak, a friend he hadn’t contacted in a long time suddenly sent a message, saying he vaguely saw someone who looked a lot like Aurora. Cole couldn’t sit still. He couldn’t open his door, so he climbed out the back window. Clutching a sliver of hope, he rushed to the address. The moment he pushed open the door and saw Seraphina and her friends, it was as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over him; he felt cold all over. Seeing that he had truly gone to such lengths for Aurora, Seraphina’s face instantly turned extremely ugly. She looked straight at him, her voice filled with undisguised indignation. “Are you really that bothered by Aurora Hayes? She’s just my substitute, Cole Remington, get it straight!” Hearing the word “substitute” again, a gnawing pain flared in Cole’s heart. He parted his parched lips, his voice hoarse. “She’s a good person. I was wrong to her. If you have a problem, come at me, but leave her alone.” Seraphina had known him for ten years. This was the first time she’d heard him stand up for another woman. Her friends couldn’t help but interject. “Cole Remington, what do you mean by that? Are you really going to abandon Seraphina for some unimportant woman?” “Exactly! Seraphina just decided to forgive you. If you don’t appreciate that and make her angry again, you’ll regret it!” “She’s just a cheap substitute. So what if you broke up? Why make such a big deal about it? Haven’t you seen how much Seraphina has suffered today?” These accusations landed on Cole’s ears, stirring his already troubled mind, leaving him in agony. Seeing him remain silent, the fire in Seraphina’s chest burned hotter and hotter. She was determined to get a definitive answer today. “Are you implying that Aurora Hayes is more important than me in your heart? You didn’t just see her as my substitute, you saw her as your girlfriend, you fell in love with her, didn’t you? Cole Remington, tell me the truth!” Facing the accusation of the person he once deeply loved, Cole’s already fractured reason was pulled to the edge of a cliff. He knew that many unpleasant truths would likely come to a head tonight. He needed to make a decision. But Seraphina, who he’d yearned for for ten years, stood before him, yet he couldn’t bring himself to say “no.” He couldn’t deny his relationship with Aurora. A thousand days and nights of living together—holding hands, kissing, embracing… Unconsciously, she had seeped into his life like a gentle rain. But she was too quiet. Whether in sorrow or joy, she rarely made a sound. So quiet that he overlooked her presence, overlooked the fact that he had fallen for her. Only after losing her completely did he finally realize. Aurora Hayes, when she first came into his life, might have been Seraphina Thorne’s substitute. But by the time she left, she had become entirely her own person, no longer bearing anyone else’s label. What he had lost was not a substitute, but a girlfriend. A girlfriend who, like Seraphina, had been by his side for three years. No matter what questions the group threw at him, Cole remained silent. In Seraphina’s eyes, this was tantamount to an admission. She had never imagined that something she held so confidently in her hands could be stolen due to her oversight. And by a substitute who imitated her in every way, yet couldn’t compare to her. She couldn’t swallow this insult, but unable to find Aurora, she unleashed all her frustration on Cole. “Speak! Why aren’t you speaking? Is it so hard to say it was just a fling? Didn’t you tell countless people she was just a substitute?” “Have you forgotten that when we broke up, you solemnly promised me you’d wait for me forever? How could you go back on your word? In just three years, you’ve fallen for someone else? Is this your true heart?” “How is she better than me? From head to toe, she reeks of unsophisticated pettiness! Falling for a woman like that is an insult to me, an insult, do you understand?!” Cole had never seen Seraphina so emotionally distraught. In their relationship, she had always been the high-and-mighty, in-control one, able to stir up trouble with just a few words. Because of her casual indifference, he had always thought she didn’t love him as deeply as he loved her. But only now did he glimpse the true feelings she had hidden away. It turned out she too could be panicked, insecure, and hurt. These emotions should have finally brought him peace. But in Cole’s wavering mind at this moment, these feelings were like oil poured on a fire, intensifying the torment in his heart. He couldn’t understand. If she cared about him so much, cared about their relationship… Then why could she be so cruel as to break up with him and go abroad, staying away for seven years? He clenched his fists tightly, his eyes red as he looked at the person before him, and finally, he couldn’t hold back his own questions. “What about you? Why did you break up with me and go abroad when I was most deeply in love with you? Why did you stay away for seven years? You never let go of me either, did you?” “I just wanted to see if you could truly love me wholeheartedly forever, as you said! Did you do it? No, you fell for Aurora Hayes, you broke your promise!” Seraphina had lost all reason, speaking without thinking. Hearing this absurd reason, Cole froze. He never imagined that the seven years he had wasted were merely to test a sincere heart. When they were together, he had nearly given his life for her, and after their breakup, he had been devastated for three years before slowly recovering. Yet she thought his love was fake, his sincerity a lie. In an instant, the years of persistence and trust that had sustained him for a decade collapsed and shattered. Looking at the person before him now, her features just as they had always been, Cole felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity. His last shred of unrequited obsession vanished. He lowered his eyes, his voice heavy with exhaustion. “Yes, I broke my word. So, let’s end this.” Days turned into weeks. Cole tried every possible way, but he couldn’t find any news about Aurora. She had vanished as if into thin air, leaving no trace. From one month to six months, then to three years. He never gave up searching for her. Slowly, Aurora, like Seraphina before her, became Cole’s insurmountable obsession. He still lived in the same apartment. Every morning he woke up to a changed room, lost in thought for a long time. All traces of her had been removed. The only things left to recall the past were the pitifully few photos on his phone. In three years, there were only seven pictures in total. He flipped through them again and again. In his endless longing, Cole grew older. His family started pressing him frequently for marriage, arranging blind dates and introducing him to various girls. But he refused to engage with any of them. Others assumed he had been so hurt by Seraphina that he had lost all hope in love. But only he knew that after that frank confrontation, he had completely let go of her. Could a love that had lasted a decade truly vanish in an instant? Cole thought it was possible. After all, between him and Seraphina, there were seven long years. Over two thousand five hundred days and nights, far longer than their time together. That intense affection, worn down by time, slowly lost its original color, tainted by the pain of unrequited desire. More than love, this emotion was closer to a habit. When that habit was broken, he finally realized that he could have escaped it long ago. But Seraphina couldn’t understand his thoughts and continued to pester him. Amidst their entanglement, Cole’s twenty-seventh birthday arrived. As in previous years, he had dinner with his family, where he was once again urged to marry. Skylar still hadn’t returned, saying she was busy when asked. He didn’t know if she was telling the truth, but he knew that since Aurora’s departure, the relationship between him and his sister had grown distant. He grew irritated by the talk and drank a bit too much. When he returned, Skylar was just getting back. He called out to her. “I’ve been drinking. Can you drive me?” Skylar looked reluctant, about to refuse, but a look from Mr. and Mrs. Remington forced her into the car. Throughout the drive, she didn’t say a word, her face cold. Cole’s mood also sank. After a long silence, he spoke. “Are you going to keep avoiding me like this?” “Avoiding? We’re on different paths; isn’t it better to have less contact?” Skylar didn’t take the olive branch he offered, instead snapping back. Seeing her unforgiving manner, Cole couldn’t help but rub his temples. “What happened before, I was wrong to Aurora. I apologize to you. Can you please stop holding a grudge? Mom and Dad are watching. Do you think they feel good when you act like this?” Hearing him even bring up Mom and Dad, Skylar rolled her eyes, utterly exasperated. “Now you care if Mom and Dad worry? Where was that concern when you were acting like you wanted to die for Seraphina? Don’t pull this big brother act on me. I told you before, I don’t recognize you as my brother!” After venting all her frustration, Skylar put on her music playlist, no longer bothering to argue with him. In the confined space of the car, only the loud, heavy metal music blared. Cole couldn’t find an opportunity to speak, so he opened the window and watched the neon lights outside. After some unknown time, the playlist ended and started over. The first song was now a pop ballad, and a light piano intro began. Cole’s somber mood finally eased. He leaned back in his seat, about to close his eyes and rest. “Gazing at the setting sun, stars and clouds wave in reply, which way does the wind blow…” As the soft, melodic singing began, he opened his eyes, instinctively looking towards the screen. Skylar, quickly realizing, swiftly skipped to the next song. Though he hadn’t seen the singer’s name, her reaction made Cole increasingly certain. That voice, just now, was Aurora Hayes! He spun his head to look at her, immediately catching the fleeting panic on her face, and her forced calm as she deliberately changed the subject. “We’re here. Get out of the car.” Watching Skylar’s fleeing figure, Cole’s intuition grew stronger. He hurried home, opened his laptop, and searched for the song lyrics. Soon, the search engine brought up relevant information. “The Unseen Star, Singer: Aurora Hayes, Song Description…” Cole’s gaze froze at the name Aurora Hayes. Suddenly, he remembered the songs she used to write in her free time and the hopeful look in her eyes when she spoke of becoming a professional singer. He reread the line countless times, then began searching for the name Aurora Hayes. “Aurora Hayes, twenty-four years old, female, rising star under Luminara Records. Officially debuted in March 2024, releasing her first album, Star River Wanderings, in the same month.”
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