Chapter 2

2

The atmosphere in the room returned to being heated.

But this time, they were even more interested in the history between Miles and his first love.

Miles didn't hold back at all. He answered every question his friends asked, showing none of the avoidance he usually displayed with me.

I used to wonder why Miles was so cold to me in public.

He told me he didn't like public displays of affection. He said there was no need to put our relationship on display for others.

I respected him, so I always listened.

But I loved him so much that even when he was cold, I remained entirely devoted to him.

Watching Miles talk so freely with his friends, my heart felt like it was soaking in bitter water.

I didn't dare stay any longer, fearing I would have a breakdown.

Just as I was about to leave, I heard Miles's voice turn tender. "I sent Ava a text. She said she's flying back tomorrow, and I'm going to pick her up."

I froze in my tracks.

A friend asked, "But tomorrow is your engagement day."

Miles said nonchalantly, "It doesn't matter. That's not important."

"I only agreed to get engaged to Selena to make Ava jealous anyway."

Those two short sentences felt like a knife stabbing deep into my chest.

Seeing someone about to come out of the room, I snapped back to reality and dragged my weak legs downstairs.

Outside, the rain was torrential, and the icy water lashed against my face.

The tears I had been holding back finally fell.

The phone in my hand rang. It was an automated call from my bank.

Hearing the digital voice wish me a happy birthday, my vision blurred. I couldn't tell if the liquid on my face was rain or tears.

The words I had just heard kept echoing in my mind.

It turned out Miles knew it was my birthday all along, but he never intended to celebrate it.

Simply because years ago, today was the day his first love left the country.

Memories of my time with Miles flashed through my mind. The more I remembered, the more I felt like a pathetic clown.

Miles used to say he was a slow burner when it came to relationships.

But listening to him talk about the crazy, impulsive things he did for his first love, I finally understood.

He wasn't a slow burner. He was just cold toward me.

I looked at the brilliant, exquisite diamond ring on my finger.

I had spent a fortune to have this custom-made when we decided to get engaged. It was a one-of-a-kind set in the whole world.

I wanted to show Miles that he was unique and irreplaceable to me.

Recalling how happy I was when he agreed to the engagement, I felt sick.

It turned out he never truly wanted to be with me...

Everything around me began to fade. Before I lost consciousness, a vision of Miles appeared before my eyes.

He was looking at me with a gentle expression. "Are you okay? Do you need help?"