Chapter 1

Skye's Perspective

At the auction, Mr. Number 1 successfully acquired a diamond ring valued at 100 million through bidding. I offered him a warm smile and congratulations.

Partway through the event, he departed, nonchalantly instructing me to bid as I saw fit. Shortly after, his phone, left on the seat beside me, began receiving numerous private messages.

[Mr. Carlson is quite the romantic—purchasing a birthday present for his first love with his 'pet bird' in attendance. He's setting an example for us all.]

[Come on, the pet bird is just for amusement. His true affection lies with his first love.]

[Indeed. Seven years have passed, and Alanna still occupies his thoughts. But doesn't the woman who's stood by him for seven years hold any significance?]

[Hey now! Don't criticize his love, mate. Just wait until Alanna returns. Then you'll witness genuine love.]

After perusing these messages, I set his phone aside and sent a message to my sibling abroad.

[Hey, is your laboratory still seeking employees?]

——

Upon returning home, Derick Carlson placed the ring box on the table. Without warning, he then pushed me onto the sofa.

"Skye, did you long for me?" he whispered, leaning in for a kiss.

I turned my head, evading his attempt. This action left him visibly puzzled as he gazed at me.

Before he could speak, I rose and grasped his necktie, toying with it as a glimmer of hope shone in my eyes.

"Derick, didn't you promise we'd wed once I finished my studies?"

His expression immediately grew somber, though his voice remained steady.

"Skye, please be patient a while longer. The company is at a crucial stage of funding. I can't divert my focus to marriage."

He added, "Moreover, rushing wouldn't be fair to you. Let's wait three more years. When the company goes public, I'll propose in grand fashion."

The same justification—for the third time.

As I was completing my bachelor's degree, he asked me to wait until graduation. When I finished my master's, he repeated the request. Now, with my doctorate mere days away, he was asking for another three years.

This time, I couldn't bring myself to wait any longer.

Derick had watched me grow up. Five years my senior, he was one of my brother's closest friends.

Our first encounter was during my high school years. I was in tears over a challenging physics problem. He knelt down, gently wiped my tears, and patiently explained the solution.

Sunlight bathed him, and a breeze ruffled his hair as he leaned closer. Witnessing such a captivating sight, I couldn't help but blush.

From that moment, I fell for him and dedicated myself to studying physics, nurturing a three-year infatuation.

I worked hard to enter his university, and on my first day, he came to greet me. That was when I finally gathered the courage to confess.

"Derick, I have feelings for you."

To my astonishment, a faint smile appeared on his lips as he wordlessly embraced me and kissed me.

Even now, recalling that moment makes me flush.

I believed I was the luckiest person to have my first love become my partner.

But now, I saw the truth. I wasn't lucky at all. I had only ever been a placeholder, a substitute for his first love, Alanna Snee.

How could a replacement ever truly take the place of the original?

Marriage? That was merely Derick's excuse to keep me by his side. As long as Alanna remained overseas, I would continue to be his caged songbird.

His deceptions had repeatedly clipped my wings, keeping me willingly confined in this cage.

Even now, I struggle to break free.

Over these seven years, marrying Derick had become my fixation.

At this moment, one persistent thought dominates my mind: To hell with Alanna. Once Derick and I are married, he'll be mine.

Standing up, I forced a smile.

"It's fine. I don't need a ceremony. Let's just obtain the marriage license tomorrow, okay?"

His hand momentarily froze, and he regarded me with unusual gravity.

"Skye, don't be irrational."

Irrational?

I'd made numerous unreasonable demands before, and he'd always indulged me.