Chapter 1

Ethan Miller checked his watch again, the cold autumn air biting at his cheeks.

This was it, the 100th time.

He stood on the iconic steps of the New York Public Library, a place Seraphina once idly mentioned she loved.

Years ago, when AuraCorp was just a dream in her beautiful head, they' d made a pact, a playful agreement born from late nights and cheap takeout.

Ninety-nine proposals, she' d said with a laugh, and on the hundredth, she' d say yes.

Ethan, her executive assistant, her shadow, her unwavering believer, had held onto that.

He' d loved her for years, a quiet, consuming ache.

Today was the day.

He' d planned it meticulously, a simple, public declaration.

No grand gestures this time, just him, the steps, and the ring in his pocket.

But Seraphina was late, very late.

Then his phone buzzed, not with a message from her, but with notifications.

Social media was exploding.

Images of Seraphina Croft, CEO of AuraCorp, at a high-profile tech gala in Silicon Valley.

Seraphina, radiant in a designer gown.

Seraphina, sharing a very public, very passionate kiss with Chase Dubois, the trendy fitness influencer, her current arm candy.

Ethan' s stomach dropped, the cold on his cheeks now seeping into his bones.

He was alone on the library steps, a small, hopeful figure against the grand facade.

Soon, his own image started appearing online, "The Library Groom," they called him.

Speculation ran wild about the woman who stood him up.

The comments were a mix of pity and mockery.

Later that evening, after the initial storm of online backlash for her perceived callousness, Seraphina finally contacted him.

Her voice was a little strained, a hint of guilt perhaps, or maybe just annoyance at the bad PR.

"Ethan, darling, I am so, so sorry about today," she'd said, "Things got… complicated. But you know our agreement. You did your part."

He listened, his face blank.

"So, let's do it right," she continued, her voice regaining its usual confident charm, "A 101st proposal. Tomorrow. Same place. I' ll be there. We' ll make it perfect. For the press, for us."

She wanted to finally accept, to fix her image.

The next day, Ethan was back at the library steps.

He saw the paparazzi lurking, tipped off, no doubt.

Seraphina would arrive soon, dressed impeccably, ready for her close-up.

He took out his phone and sent a curt text: "Seraphina, there's no 101st. We're done."

He hit send and shoved the phone in his pocket, then tried to hail a cab.

His phone rang almost immediately, Seraphina' s name flashing on the screen.

He let it ring for a moment, then answered.

"Ethan! Where are you? You're supposed to be here!" Her voice was sharp, irritated.

"I'm at the Library steps," he replied calmly.

A pause, then, "Oh, right, the proposal! Silly me. Stay there, I'll come get you. I' m almost there."

He knew she was lying, she was probably still getting her makeup done.

A sudden, severe thunderstorm broke then, the sky opening up with a violence that matched the turmoil inside him.

Rain lashed down, soaking him to the skin in minutes.

He waited.

His phone battery, already low, finally died.

The last social media post he' d seen before it went dark was from Chase Dubois: "Stormy night, cozy vibes with my queen @SeraphinaCroftOfficial," accompanied by a selfie of them, snug and laughing inside her luxury penthouse.

Each of his 99 previous proposals, often elaborate, tied to company milestones or anniversaries of their working together, had been met with a similar, albeit less direct, dismissal.

Seraphina would always ensure a public appearance with Chase coincided-a film premiere, an exclusive party, a "spontaneous" weekend trip hyped on Instagram.

He' d been a fool, a devoted, hopeful fool.

But no more.

The rain, the cold, the dead phone, the image of her with Chase – it was a perfect storm of disillusionment.

He started walking, miles in the pouring rain, until he found a budget motel on the outskirts of the city.

Seraphina never called back, never showed up at the library.

The next morning, shivering and hollow, Ethan took a cab to the AuraCorp headquarters.

He was going to draft his resignation.