Chapter 1

For six years, I had been Keith's betrothed. He lavished me with attention but never spoke of marriage. Gathering my nerve, I asked him to wed me at my birthday celebration, only for him to depart without a word. Later, someone captured an image of him embracing the girl from next door.

He was irritated by my independent action and claimed I was being distrustful. Yet I later discovered him chuckling with his companions. "Zoey clings to me out of gratitude for her parents' life-saving deed. I believe I've settled that obligation after all this time."

With a pained smile, I departed the country.

Eventually, Keith consented to marry me. Naturally, I hurried back home without delay. My intention wasn't to rekindle our engagement, but to terminate it.

Grasping an umbrella, I trotted down the corridor with a spring in my step. Keith often called me awkward, stating I couldn't look after myself and that it caused him concern. However, I wanted to demonstrate that I could care for myself and him.

It was drizzling, and if Keith saw me bringing him an umbrella, surely he'd commend me for being attentive, right? I mentally rehearsed my response. "Keith, it's nothing. This is what I should do as your future wife."

Hearing the animated discussion in the private room, I slowed my pace. Keith valued his dignity, so I didn't want to intrude carelessly.

"Keith, we all viewed the photos from that evening. What's the story?"

"I heard Sadie Simpson returned specifically for you."

"You've been leading that young woman on for six years. Why not do the honorable thing and marry her?"

I halted, shocked to hear that familiar yet distant name. Sadie Simpson, the girl who once resided next to Keith's home.

She had gone overseas before I moved into Keith's house. I had thought they were merely close like siblings, but hearing others discuss it made it sound different. So, the woman from that night was her.

Then Keith's deep, playful voice resonated. "Don't fabricate stories. Sadie and I are just friends. There's nothing romantic between us like you're imagining."

The turmoil within me began to subside. My lips curved upward involuntarily. How could Keith be involved with another woman? He loved me. Sadly, my assurance was shattered moments later.

"Zoey remains only because her parents saved my life. She's held the title of fiancée for so many years, and it's time to fully repay that debt."

The umbrella slipped from my grasp, hitting the floor with a muted thud, but it didn't disturb the revelers inside. My heart fractured, and the chill swept away the pieces, leaving only a hollow, unbearable coldness.

It seemed Keith's kindness towards me had never been love. It had only ever been repayment of an old debt. Was that why he fled the night I proposed?

A week ago was my birthday—marking six years since our engagement. Yet in all that time, he had never once mentioned marriage.

I'd convinced myself it was due to his busy work schedule, or perhaps he was secretly planning a grand surprise. After all, everyone knew I was Keith's treasured darling.

He'd once fought the boys who mocked me for being an orphan, ending up battered but grinning as he performed silly magic tricks to cheer me up. He would sing to me during every thunderstorm. Despite his off-key and terrible singing, he never stopped.

He would tap my forehead and call me silly whenever I had a foolish idea, then turn around and act foolish himself, trying to make it happen. He never had any of the typical socialite girls around him. He said he didn't want to make me feel insecure.

I didn't want to wait any longer. So, I donned a white dress and summoned all my courage to propose. "Keith, I want to marry you!"

He looked at me. His tranquil eyes held a tempest I couldn't interpret, and all I could do was wait, quivering with uncertainty.