Chapter 2

Calvin, my next-door neighbor, and I grew up together. He was handsome and brilliant, often topping our class.

I, being slow-witted since childhood, looked up to him as my role model.

In our senior year of high school, I studied tirelessly, all in the hopes of getting into the same college as him.

Finally, on our college graduation day, I mustered up the courage to confess my feelings to him.

He was drunk, and he gazed at me for a long time with a complex look in his eyes.

Just when I thought he was going to reject me, he said, "Alright, let's start dating right now."

As soon as he finished speaking, he pulled me close, and his warm lips pressed against mine. I quickly lost myself in the kiss.

Because of that kiss, even when Calvin refused the help offered by the Blackwood family and rented a basement apartment, I was willing to stay by his side and endure the hardships.

When he was starting his business, a mutual friend advised me, "Calvin's heart belongs to someone else. He's just using you to pass the time. Leave him before you get hurt."

But I refused to believe it.

I gave my heart sincerely, betting that years of companionship would win his true love.

In the end, I lost that bet.

On the day of our engagement party, Calvin received a message from Serena saying she was back in the country.He left without a word, immediately abandoning me on stage as I was toasting the guests, and quickly drove away from the hotel.

I looked at the sympathetic glances from the surrounding guests, fighting back tears in my eyes, and made an excuse: "His company has an urgent matter that needs to be addressed immediately."

After forcing myself to return home, I stared at his newly posted social media update all night long.

A pair of intertwined hands once again stung my reddened eyes.

From that day on, Calvin not only came home later and later, but after showering, he went straight to his study.

Standing outside the door, I could clearly hear laughter coming from inside.

I pretended to be clueless and asked Calvin what he was doing in the study all night.

He coldly replied with displeasure: "You're too stupid to understand even if I told you. Stop asking about my business from now on."

Hearing this, my mood became even more dejected.

Indeed, a childhood sweetheart is no match for a destined love.

While cutting vegetables, I accidentally cut my finger due to being distracted.

Seeing the deep, bone-deep wound, Calvin had no choice but to come out of his study to take me to the hospital for stitches.

As I opened the passenger door, I instantly saw that his car was filled with plush toys and adorned with many cute stickers.

My nose stung with emotion.Suddenly, I remembered leaving a fluffy keychain in the car. When he saw it, his expression immediately changed.

Right in front of me, he threw it in the trash with a look of disgust.

Calvin noticed me looking at him, and a flash of discomfort crossed his eyes.

After arranging all the stuffed animals on the back seat, he said, "Now can we get in the car?"

I was trying to ignore the sickly sweet smell assaulting my nose when I was about to get in, but Calvin's phone suddenly rang.

"You're hurt? I'll be right there!"

He frowned at me, "Go to the hospital by yourself. I have something I need to take care of."

I watched as the car quickly disappeared from view, my eyes suddenly stinging.

After my treatment was over, I unexpectedly saw a social media post from a mutual friend.

I found the golf course based on the location tag.

In the private room, Calvin held Serena in his arms, with a tenderness in his eyes I had never seen before.

Before I had time to feel upset, I overheard what he was saying in the lounge.

And the strange man Calvin had hired was standing right behind me.

He looked at me with eyes full of sympathy: "Don't be sad."