Chapter 2

Claire came from old money, and she had lived wild in her youth.

When mutual friends first introduced us, I was shocked. A high-society heiress like her would never settle down with an ordinary researcher.

Yet, she fell for me at first sight. She cut off all her wild connections, cleaned up her act, and gave me her undivided devotion.

She even swore she would marry no one else, pursuing me relentlessly.

Over time, I fell hopelessly in love with her.

Now, we were in our seventh year of marriage.

The vows she made back then had finally faded.

It was time for me to walk away.

Holding my trophy, I rode my motorcycle through the rain to the villa she had given me.

I had promised to wait, and I always kept my word.

The moment I pulled up to the gate, Claire’s FaceTime call came in.

"Ethan, you left so fast earlier. I wanted to ask... could you stay inside the villa for this month and avoid coming to our old place? Julian is feeling insecure."

Before I could answer, Julian’s voice chimed in the background:

"Claire, babe, how do I unzip the back of your dress?"

Claire panicked and abruptly hung up the call, desperate to hide what was about to happen.

I let out a bitter, mocking chuckle.

Our old place? I don't have a home anymore.

I didn't have the key, and Claire hadn't given me the passcode.

Of course. It was her wedding day. Why would she remember such trivial details?

I punched in her birthday. The lock buzzed red.

I tried her lucky numbers, her phone number, her social security digits. Nothing worked.

One attempt left before the security system locked down completely.

With zero hope, I casually punched in my own birthday, planning to call a locksmith right after.

Click.

The door unlocked.

Claire had set my birthday as the passcode.

Did she still love me, or was it just lingering habit?

I went silent for a moment before pushing the door open.

Inside, there were obvious signs that someone had been living here recently.

I walked into the master bedroom. The silk sheets were tangled and tossed, and above the headboard hung an intimate framed photo of Claire and Julian.

Scattered across the floor were several used condoms. Peach-scented—the exact scent I hated most.

My fists clenched so tightly my nails bit into my palms. A sharp pain pierced straight through my chest.

I spun around to leave, but the front door clicked open.

A cleaning lady walked in, pausing in surprise. "Oh! Are you the new gentleman? You're here early!"

"I haven't finished cleaning up the bedroom yet. Why don't you have a seat in the living room?"

She was overly casual, offering me a glass of water before heading to the bedroom to clean.

Looking at the mess, my throat tightened. "Does... this happen often?"

The cleaning lady dumped the condoms and the photo into a black trash bag, replying without looking up:

"Well, it's not my place to gossip... but you know how these ultra-rich folks are. Totally wild in bed."

A heavy suffocating weight settled on my chest. Wild?

Claire... had she betrayed me long before today?

My chest felt bruised, but I sat on the living room sofa, waiting for Claire.

Every fiber of my being screamed at me to storm out of this love nest she had built with Julian. But I had promised to wait, so I stayed.

Her past promises echoed in my ears:

"Ethan! Before you came into my life, my world was a reckless mess! But the moment I met you, I knew you were the only one for me!"

"Even if it took forever for you to open your heart, I was determined to spend eternity with you. Forever and ever! I love you!"

How easily forever turns to dust.

I sat in the dark until midnight, only to receive Claire's cancellation text:

Ethan, stay at the villa alone tonight. Julian’s condition worsened, and I have to stay by his side.

I said nothing. I walked out of the villa and wandered aimlessly down the downtown promenade where Claire and I used to date.

And there, under the neon lights, I saw them.

I wanted to turn away, but my feet remained glued to the pavement, my heart refusing to let go without one last look.

"Claire, why didn't you just tell Ethan the truth? That you were coming shopping with me?"

"I’m dying soon. Is he really so petty that he’d hold a grudge against a dying man?"

Julian sounded hurt, his tone calculated to sow discord.

"Come on, Julian. I'm right here with you, aren't I? Don't be mad."

"I just didn't want Ethan to overthink. It was just a white lie. Didn't you want that new Rolex? I'll buy it for you right now."

The watch I had begged her to look at for months was being handed to Julian like a cheap trinket.

How completely pathetic I was.

Julian smiled, satisfied, though he still pouted. "Fine. But I'm still upset. Unless you kiss me."

Claire leaned in and pecked his lips. "There. Happy now?"

Julian wasn't satisfied. His breathing grew heavy as he pulled her closer.

"Claire... I want you tonight..."

"No! Your health is too fragile right now. What if something happens to you? If you really want to... wait until your checkup looks better."

Standing in the shadows, every shred of hope within me shattered.

I had seen enough.

Right then, my phone vibrated. A text from my mentor, Professor Reed:

Are you absolutely certain? This mission lasts twenty years. If the development hits roadblocks, it could take even longer. Are you truly ready to leave your little heiress behind?

Everyone in my circle knew how madly I had loved Claire.

She was my first love, the fire in my veins.

Now, she belonged to someone else.

I rubbed my tired face, texted back a single word—Yes—and powered off my phone.

As I turned to leave, a sharp gasp pierced the night.

"Ethan?! What are you doing here?!"