Chapter 2

Driving back home, I wasn't at all surprised to receive a call from Lyanna.

As soon as I answered, she angrily demanded:

"Damien, Joseph just accidentally sent the wrong message. Did you have to be so nasty?"

"He's really upset now. Come over here and apologize right away!"

Here we go again, accusations and scolding without even knowing the full story.

I've had enough of this over the years.

And if a grown man is going to cry over being told to "fuck off," I've got nothing more to say.

But Lyanna always falls for his act.

I calmly asked her in return:

"Do you even know what he 'accidentally' sent?"

That question silenced Lyanna for a moment, but then she continued:

"What does it matter? Can't you just let it go? I really don't understand why you're always targeting him like this."

Hearing this, I could only laugh bitterly.

Not wanting to say more, I just had one thing to add.

"Come home early tomorrow. I need to talk to you about something."

Suddenly, I heard Joseph cry out in surprise on the other end, followed by a dial tone as the call disconnected.

No response from her, just like my seven years of devotion.

When I tried calling back, I found my number had been blocked.

An inexplicable bitterness filled my heart.Perhaps it was because I was too indulgent with Lyanna that she ended up in another man's arms just before our wedding.

Taking advantage of my love, she hurt me without restraint.

The scene of proposing to Lyanna still feels like yesterday - she cried uncontrollably in my arms.

"Damien, I want to marry you."

"We'll never be apart in this life."

Such sweet promises, such a blissful couple - now it's all turned into knives stabbing my heart.

Returning home to an empty house, I felt utterly exhausted.

I sat lifeless on the couch all night, but Lyanna never called with an explanation.

Yet surprisingly, I felt calm inside. After all, I had long anticipated this outcome.

In the morning, I called my boss.

"Manager Stone, I accept the transfer."

My boss was surprised by my answer, but mostly pleased.

"Good, this is a rare opportunity. You should definitely seize it."

"The transfer is in two weeks. Start preparing now."

I agreed and hung up, tilting my head to look out at the night sky.

Actually, I had originally planned to turn down this work opportunity.

Because of Lyanna - back then, I wanted to be wherever she was.But now it seems there's no need for that anymore.

Anyway, there's no place for me in her heart, so why should I keep clinging on?

That evening, Lyanna came home.

She walked in and immediately sprawled out on the couch, resting her beautiful legs in my lap as she spoke to me.

"Damien, I'm so tired. Come give my feet a massage."

At that moment, I had just opened social media and instantly spotted Joseph's recent update.

The caption read: Whenever I need you, you're always by my side.

In the photo, Lyanna wore an apron in the kitchen, cooking a meal for him with a gentle, focused expression on her profile.

It was a side of her I'd never seen before.

Because in the past, I never let her cook - I always did all the cooking at home.

After seeing it, I calmly liked the post.

Beside me, Lyanna noticed my lack of reaction, as if I were made of wood. She furrowed her brow, clearly dissatisfied.

"What's your problem? Didn't you hear me?"

Hearing the anger in her voice, I merely glanced at her once, then said nothing more.

In the past, I would have definitely obeyed without question, but now I just wanted to live my own life.

I got up, planning to take a shower first and then catch up on some sleep.