Chapter 1

It was early winter. The heating hadn't kicked in yet, and the house felt like a walk-in freezer.

I rubbed my frozen fingers and stared at the dim glow of my laptop screen. For the first time in my life, I felt a strange sense of peace.

My screen was flooded with messages from my advisor. He was practically begging me to consider the study abroad program.

"You have a natural eye for color, Phoebe. You have your own vision. If you go, you'll reach heights you can't even imagine here."

"This is the last call for applications. I really hope you'll reconsider."

This was the third time he had reached out. Each time, his tone grew more urgent.

Before, I had turned him down without a second thought. I did it all to stay by Caspian Sterling's side.

But now...

I picked up my phone and stared at the news headline I had already read a dozen times.

Caspian Sterling, the man I had loved for seven years and my legal guardian, was getting engaged. And it wasn't to me.

He finally didn't need me anymore.

Maybe it was the cold in the room, but it felt like the blood in my veins was turning to ice. My chest felt tight, a dull ache throbbing behind my ribs.

I took a deep breath and finally typed a reply.

"Okay, Professor. I'll come in tomorrow to fill out the forms."

I spent a few minutes looking up flight information before closing my laptop.

When I headed downstairs, I ran straight into Caspian. He was just getting home from a business dinner, smelling faintly of expensive cologne and wine.

He froze when he saw me. His eyes immediately dropped to my bare feet on the cold floor.

He started lecturing me instantly, but he didn't stop there. He walked over, scooped me up, and carried me to the sofa.

"You never wear shoes. Then you cry to me when your stomach aches from the cold. Stay put."

I watched him in silence. He grabbed my slippers and brought over a heated pad, tucking it around me.

He didn't go back to his own business until he was sure I was warm.

For a second, my nose stung. This warmth felt so real, so solid.

How was I supposed to believe it was all just an illusion? I didn't want to let go.

"Caspian."

"I've told you before, call me Uncle Caspian. Show some respect."

It was always the same line. Every time I felt a spark of hope, he used that title to shove me back behind the safety line.

This time, I didn't listen. I kept my head down, my voice barely a whisper.

"Caspian, you're getting engaged, aren't you? I saw the news."

He paused for a heartbeat, then gave a small, casual nod. "Yes."

"Do you... do you love her?"

"That's adult business, Phoebe. Don't ask questions you're too young to understand."

"I'm asking you. Do you love her?"

I told myself that if he gave me even a hint of a 'no,' I would stay. I would throw away my dignity, forget about Paris, and keep clinging to him like a shadow.

But Caspian frowned. He looked at me like I was being ridiculous.

"Why else would I marry her? Do you think I'm playing out some cliché arranged marriage drama?"

The room went dead quiet. The only sound was the north wind howling outside, mimicking the hollow sound in my heart.

I dug my nails into my palms. I couldn't stop the last question from slipping out.

"What if one day you couldn't find me anymore? Would you be sad?"

He was losing patience now. He turned away, heading for the stairs without a backward glance.

"Stop asking stupid, meaningless questions. Don't throw a tantrum like a little girl."

"I'm busy lately. I don't have the energy to deal with your moods."

The door slammed shut upstairs. The sound echoed through the house, killing the last flicker of hope in my soul.

I looked up at his closed door, my vision blurring.

"It's not a tantrum. I'm actually leaving."

"Caspian... I don't want to love you anymore."