Chapter 1

On Valentine's Day, my boyfriend ditched me and ran off. All because of an Instagram post my sister made.

"Really craving strawberry cake right now."

Late that night, I was cornered by thugs in a dark, narrow alley. The blade was pressed cold against my skin.

My hands shook as I dialed his number countless times, only to get one cold sentence in return.

"Chloe, be good. Lily isn't feeling well. She needs peace and quiet."

The blade sank into my chest. Gagging on the metallic taste of blood, I whispered, "I want strawberry cake."

"Chloe, stop throwing tantrums."

Fine. Once I'm dead, I will never throw a tantrum again.

"Ethan, try this. It's the Valentine's Day special."

Inside the fancy French restaurant, I pushed a plate of foie gras toward Ethan. He was frowning, his fingers tapping furiously on his phone screen.

I leaned in slightly. Ethan casually tilted his phone away from my sight.

But I still caught the contact name on the screen: Lily.

My hand froze. I forced a smile and pushed the plate closer to his lips.

"Chloe, something came up. I have to go. I'll make it up to you next time."

Ethan stood up and grabbed his coat so fast that the sauce smeared onto his chin.

Before I could even react, the waiter stepped forward.

"Ma'am, should I clear the table?"

I stared out the window. It was Valentine's Day, and there was a long line waiting outside.

"Yes, clear it."

I pursed my lips. I had waited hours for this reservation. I hadn't even had time to reapply my lipstick.

Walking home alone, feeling empty, I opened Instagram.

"Craving strawberry cake."

Lily's post wasn't anything special. What made it stand out was Ethan's comment below it.

"Where are you?"

I laughed. A second later, tears streamed down my face. This wasn't the first time.

"Lily, you shouldn't eat too much sugar."

I stopped right outside the front door. Peering through the glass window, I saw a cozy, happy scene.

Ethan was feeding Lily cake, while she giggled and teased him for more.

My parents were sitting on the couch, smiling warmly at them.

My hand froze on the doorknob. I didn't know whether to open the door or walk away.

"Oh, Chloe is back."

The door clicked open, and Lily was the first to notice me. I nodded and glanced at Ethan.

He didn't even look up. All his attention was on Lily as he gently wiped the cream off her lip.

"Mom, Dad."

The smiles on my parents' faces vanished instantly.

"Do you know what time it is? Lily needs her rest. Why do you always have to make so much noise when you come home?"

How did my walking in affect her sleep?

I kept my head down and said nothing. They just didn't want me there.

I only stopped when I reached the turn of the stairs, looking down at them.

"Ethan, did I interrupt your date with Lily?"

"No, we're already done eating," Ethan replied coldly.

I shook my head and hurried upstairs.

Their table at the French restaurant had been untouched.

"Chloe, you know Lily's heart condition. She can't handle stress."

I knew. Her weak heart.

That was why Ethan pampered her, and my parents spoiled her.

"I'll make it up to you next time."

"Don't bother."

I stood by the window, pulling back the curtain. Ethan's car was still parked outside.

The window was rolled down halfway. He was smoking, tapping the ash out of the window.

"Chloe, I want to postpone our wedding."

Ethan looked apologetic. I opened my mouth and asked why.

"I want to make sure I can give you a stable life. And Lily's health is still rocky."

In the end, it was still because of Lily.

"I really want her to be able to attend our wedding," Ethan added.

I smiled. I understood.

The one Ethan loved was Lily.

"Okay," I agreed. But I still loved him.