Chapter 2

That night, Julian was fast asleep, but I couldn't rest. I quietly got up and went to the walk-in closet.

His cold words, the photos and love letters on his phone… it was all enough to make me leave. But after five years together, the memories of our love were hard to erase. How could I just forget?

I stood in front of the safe in the corner of the closet, my heart a mess of emotions.

I had asked him so many times what was inside, what was so precious that he had to keep it locked away. But he would always change the subject.

I had tried my birthday, his birthday, our anniversary… nothing worked.

Now, my fingers trembling, I typed in her birthday. I prayed it wouldn't work.

But with a soft click, the safe door swung open.

My heart plunged into an icy abyss.

Inside was a vintage wooden box. And in the box was a custom-made lover's lock, engraved with the initials "JC & SR." Julian Croft & Seraphina.

The lock was pristine, clearly well-cared for.

I collapsed, the air knocked from my lungs. The pain was so intense it felt physical.

No matter how much I had tried to deny it, the truth was right in front of me.

He had never loved me.

The next day, I went against his wishes and went to the party. He looked annoyed, but he didn't stop me. "If you insist on going, then you're staying by my side. I can't have my beautiful wife wandering around a place like this by herself."

He was playing the part of the devoted husband, but I knew. He was just afraid I would steal her spotlight.

But that wasn't my plan. I just wanted to say goodbye to the people who had helped me in my career.

The moment Seraphina and I walked into the hall, we were the center of attention.

"Xander's next lead model has to be Rory. She has Julian's backing, and her talent is undeniable."

Hearing this, Seraphina flew into a rage. "What makes you so sure? That spot is mine!"

The crowd just sneered. "You don't have her experience, her seniority. Don't be so arrogant."

"Yeah, so what if your family is rich? He's a Croft. It's obvious who's going to get the job."

"You've only been on one major magazine cover. You should learn some humility."

She was so angry she was stomping her foot. "You'll all regret this!" she shrieked, and then shot me a venomous look. "Some people are enjoying this now, but they'll be the ones who are humiliated later."

Then she shoved me. I stumbled forward, my knee crashing into the corner of a table. A searing pain shot through me, and tears streamed down my face.

And Julian, who had sworn to protect me, just stood there and watched.

I just lowered my head, trying to fight back the bitterness.

Just then, the lights in the hall dimmed. It was time to announce the lead model.

"Let's give a warm round of applause to… Seraphina!"

"And a special thanks to the top show director in the industry, Mr. Jiang Ying, for his generous support. He not only waived his fee for this show, but also invested an additional twenty million dollars, all to make sure Seraphina was the star. In his heart, she is one of a kind, his endless source of inspiration."

Seraphina strode onto the stage, a smug look on her face, and took the microphone. "Did you really think you could compete with me, Rory?" she sneered. "How pathetic."

She was the star of the show, bathed in the spotlight, showered with praise.

I looked at Julian. He was holding my hand, but his eyes were filled with a pure, unadulterated joy for her.

A bitter smile touched my lips. Yesterday, in his study, I had seen the proposal for the show. On the first page, it read: "To the one and only supermodel in my heart, Seraphina."

The director's name, Jiang Ying, was a combination of their two names. It was his secret declaration of love.

Even though I had known, seeing it happen, my chest still ached.

Xander came over to me. "Don't be discouraged," he said gently. "In my next show, you'll be the only star."

I just shook my head. "Thank you for your kindness, but… I won't have the chance."