Chapter 3

When I graduated from college, I started interning at my family's company, Vance Group. On my way to work one day, a reckless driver knocked me off the coastal road, and I plunged into the ocean.

It was Carter who risked his life to swim down and pull me out.

When my parents found out, they broke all company protocols. They invested millions in him, showered him with resources, and fast-tracked him to become the Vice President of our conglomerate.

Because of that life-saving favor, I fell for him. In my parents' eyes, he was already their future son-in-law.

But whenever I thought of Chloe—who crashed every single birthday, anniversary, Valentine’s Day, and vacation—I wanted so badly to tell my parents that the wedding was off.

Yet, seeing how much my parents respected Carter, the words always died in my throat.

Now, hearing him use that rescue to blackmail me emotionally, I knew with absolute certainty that I was done with him.

I let out a bitter laugh, turning to look at his pathetic face.

"Is that so? Without me and my family, do you think a fresh graduate like you could ever have become the Vice President of a multi-billion-dollar corporation?"

"Carter! I paid you back for saving my life a long time ago. Don't you dare use that to guilt-trip me ever again."

With that, I walked away with firm steps, never looking back.

The moment I got into my car, my phone buzzed. It was my parents.

"Sera, are you throwing another tantrum? Carter just called us to complain. Go apologize to him right now."

I took a deep breath. Looking out the window, I saw Carter and Chloe wrapped in each other's arms. I spoke in a deadpan voice.

"Mom, Dad, if you force me to spend the rest of my life with a man like him, I’d rather die."

For the first time, I poured my heart out, telling them every single piece of misery and humiliation I had suffered over the years.

There was a long, heavy silence on the other end of the line. Finally, my dad let out a long sigh.

"If we had known he was this kind of man, we would have never let you be with him."

"Break it off. Pack your things and come back home, sweetheart."

The suffocating weight that had pressed on my chest for years finally lifted.

At that moment, I felt like I was finally breathing real air.

The next day, I went back to the apartment we shared to pack my bags.

But when I tried to log into the smart lock, it kept saying "Access Denied."

I called Carter. I could clearly hear his ringtone echoing from inside the apartment, but he refused to pick up.

I banged on the door. It took a full thirty minutes before he finally swung it open, looking utterly annoyed.

"You actually have the nerve to show up? Chloe was so upset because of you yesterday that she couldn't sleep. I had to stay up all night comforting her."

"Apologize to Chloe right now, or we are postponing the wedding."

I couldn't even remember when Carter’s tone with me had become this dismissive.

Once, he had promised to protect me from the world. Now, he was the one locking me out.

I didn't bother arguing. I pushed past him and walked straight into the bedroom to pack.

He frowned, about to yell at me, but the sound of Chloe whimpering from the living room made him abandon me instantly.

Last year, Carter and I rented this luxury two-bedroom apartment. Chloe insisted on moving in.

She claimed she couldn't sleep in the guest room, so she took over the master bedroom I had spent weeks decorating.

Every time Carter and I tried to have some intimacy, she would suddenly develop a stomach ache or a headache, finding any excuse to call him away.

Initially, Carter would come back to my bed. But gradually, he said it was too much of a hassle and just started sleeping in her room.

Every morning, seeing them cuddled together, I would brainwash myself: They are just foster siblings. They are just close.

Thank God I didn't have to lie to myself anymore.

If it weren't for my clothes and my dog, Teddy, I would have never set foot in this place again.

"Teddy? Teddy, come here!"

I called out, feeling uneasy. Usually, the moment I opened the door, Teddy would jump all over me. But now, he was nowhere to be seen.

Just then, Chloe walked in, fake-crying.

"Oh, Sera, why are you making such a mess? Carter bought this custom rug just for me, and you’re tracking dirt all over it."

Carter grabbed my shoulder and shoved me back, his face darkened with annoyance.

"Have some respect. Why are you walking around with your shoes on? Do you think you're the only one living here?"

I stumbled back from the force of his push. Just as I was about to snap, I caught a glimpse of something shiny in Chloe’s hand.

It was the blue sapphire charm from Teddy’s collar!

I lunged forward, grabbing Chloe’s hand.

"Where did you get this? Where is Teddy?!"