Chapter 2

2 I finished the last of my paperwork in the office and was about to leave when I heard a choked sob from outside.

"I've worked so hard, but I didn't expect Luke to suddenly take the spot. All my work this month was for nothing..."

It was Gu Yu Nian...

Claire's one true love. The man who had caused thirty years of unresolved conflict between Claire and me.

I gripped the doorknob tighter.

Opening the door, the familiar face appeared.

Claire's brow was furrowed, her presence heavy with a new intensity:

"Luke, give up the spot."

Looking at Claire's expression and Gu Yu Nian, red-eyed behind her, I shook my head.

"Impossible."

"Luke..."

Claire's face held an incomprehensible rage I'd never seen before. "You forced me to agree to marry you! Do you think I don't know you've already arranged the wedding?

You're not even going to go through with it. You're just trying to make things difficult for Yu Nian!"

Gu Yu Nian also stepped forward, eyes red.

"Luke, I worked so hard for this spot! I won't bother you after I leave, so you can rest assured..."

"Whether you really worked hard or not is something you know yourself. You wouldn't have gotten this project."

Gu Yu Nian paused, his eyes even redder. He'd initially applied for the project hoping Claire would accompany him, preventing me from stopping them. But because of my repeated self-harm, Claire, remembering my parents' kindness to her family, reluctantly agreed. Gu Yu Nian angrily decided to go alone. But his preparation was mostly out of spite, not seriously done. In my past life, he didn't succeed.

Claire frowned.

"You never gave him a chance! How can you say he wouldn't have succeeded?"

I shook the document.

"Because Professor Qin has already signed and stamped it."

"Luke..."

Claire clenched her fists. The disappointment in her eyes was unprecedented.

"I thought you were just being stubborn, but I never imagined you could be so cruel.

You don't need this opportunity, but Yu Nian worked so hard to get where he is!

I never imagined you'd seize Professor Qin's spot just to spite him!"

Her breathing grew increasingly unsteady. She looked at me coldly.

"Listen, even though you used our family's kindness to force me to marry you, because of this, I will never consider you my husband."

"I know."

I nodded calmly.

I'd already experienced that in my past life.

Claire turned and left, gently comforting Gu Yu Nian.

"It's okay, I'll help you find other opportunities. Don't be sad."

That tender look was something I had dreamt of countless times in my past life. But I didn't get it then, and I wouldn't get it now.

It was time for me to leave, Claire.

I thought Claire wouldn't see me again before the wedding.

But when I returned to our wedding apartment, I found myself face-to-face with her.

Before I could speak, she bypassed me and left.

I wasn't fully recovered.

A bowl of ginger tea sat on the dining table, still warm.

A mix of emotions flooded my heart.

I vaguely recalled that in my past life, she had cared for me while simultaneously expressing disdain.

It was because my parents had asked her to take care of me before their passing.

So even if we fought fiercely, she had unhesitatingly donated 600cc of blood when I was hospitalized. Even if we'd just sworn off each other, she would have thrown herself in front of a car to save me.

She was repaying a debt with her life.

But I always demanded her heart as well.

Sipping what might be my last bowl of ginger tea, I suddenly remembered something.

I quickly checked the date, my heart clenching. I quickly put down the bowl, putting on my shoes and calling my men:

"Go to 13th Street, 6th Alley!"