Chapter 1

Caleb's ex-girlfriend was diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Her final wish before passing away was to hold one last concert.

She invited Caleb to be her only special guest.

Caleb agreed.

To ease my worries, he gently coaxed me.

"Don't overthink it, Chloe. It's just a farewell."

But during the curtain call, the supposed farewell turned into a public confession.

When I saw the corners of Caleb's eyes turn red, it hit me.

I finally understood that our five years together were nothing but an illusion.

1

I stood in the audience offstage.

I watched as Melody Brooks changed into a wedding dress for the curtain call.

She held the microphone with trembling hands.

"Caleb, before my time runs out, can I be your bride just for tonight?"

The fans in the crowd burst into tears.

Some people even started chanting loudly.

"Say yes to her!"

I stared at Caleb, waiting to see his reaction.

He didn't disappoint me, offering only a cold response.

"I'm sorry, I can't agree to that."

Melody stumbled back a few steps upon hearing this.

She leaned forward helplessly and begged him.

"Caleb, I have never forgotten you. I'm running out of time."

"Can't you just take pity on me, please?"

Caleb frowned, clearly not wanting to say more.

He turned around and prepared to leave the stage.

But the moment he turned, a loud crash stopped him in his tracks.

Melody had tripped and fallen hard on the floor while trying to chase him.

Blood poured from her nose, instantly staining her pure white dress red.

Caleb paused when he heard the noise and looked back a few seconds later.

One look was all it took for him to completely lose his cool.

Ignoring everything else, he rushed over and scooped Melody into his arms.

His usual calm and collected demeanor was totally gone.

The corners of his eyes turned red, and even his voice was shaking.

"Call an ambulance! Hurry up and call an ambulance!"

At that moment, the woman in his arms actually smiled.

She spoke in a weak, stuttering voice.

"Caleb, I knew you wouldn't just leave me here."

She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

I saw Caleb's eyes well up with tears as he hugged her even closer.

He gently wiped the blood from her face until the paramedics arrived.

From start to finish, he didn't cast a single glance at me standing in the front row.

I really should have known better.

When the news of Melody's illness hit the trending topics on Twitter, Caleb zoned out.

That exact moment meant it was time for our five-year relationship to end.

The ringing of my phone interrupted my thoughts.

Caleb's voice sounded completely exhausted.

"Chloe, an unexpected emergency came up. Let's celebrate our anniversary tomorrow."

"Okay."

Today was actually our fifth anniversary.

But Melody chose to schedule her final concert on this exact day.

She even insisted on having Caleb as her sole special guest.

I knew about their past, and I was understandably reluctant.

But Caleb had promised me over and over again.

"Chloe, this is just a final goodbye. Please don't overthink it."

"Don't worry, I will definitely rush back to you tonight."

But looking at it now, his reaction only made my heart ache.

Unsurprisingly, the dramatic scene at the concert took over the internet.

[Pop Queen Melody proposes to A-list actor Caleb, faints after rejection!]

[Caleb's red eyes prove his rejection was just a front!]

[Praying for Caleb and Melody to get back together right now.]

I had secretly tried to comfort myself.

I told myself that maybe I had just imagined his red eyes.

I still held onto the fantasy that our five years couldn't be this fragile.

But staring at these screenshots, I finally stopped lying to myself.

That night, Melody broke her silence and posted an update.

[Day one of unlocking my role as Caleb's bride. I feel so blessed.]

The attached photo showed Caleb kneeling on one knee inside a hospital room.

The ring in his hand made my eyes sting with unshed tears.

I had seen that exact ring before.

It was on the day Caleb and Melody broke up.

Caleb got blackout drunk and collapsed on the sidewalk.

He was clutching that very ring tightly in his hand.

He had originally planned to propose to Melody that day.

Sadly, she dumped him out of nowhere.

After that day, I never saw that ring again.

I never expected to see it make a reappearance today.