Chapter 1

My parents passed away early, so I grew up alongside my aunt.

She had no idea that I'd been secretly dating her best friend Serenity for three years.

One night after drinking, Serenity gazed at me with hazy eyes: "At your age, you should be with someone around your own age. Why don't I find someone for you?"

I nodded solemnly, "Sure, that sounds good."

Because in my past life, I didn't agree. I even bravely declared to the world that I loved her.

Under pressure from family, Serenity had no choice but to marry me.

But after our wedding, she was almost cold towards me, even on the day of my heart transplant surgery.

Serenity spent that day with pure love Nolan instead.

Love that's forced never ends well.

......

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I swiftly and decisively agreed, leaving Serenity stunned.

She remained in a daze for quite some time, her already alcohol-blurred eyes growing even dimmer.

Illuminated by the flickering lights of the private room, a hint of vulnerability unexpectedly emerged.

But it lasted only a moment before her gaze turned as cold as ice.

"Do you realize what you just said?"

Half-lying on the couch, my eyes remained unwavering: "Yes."

Actually, this wasn't the first time she had joked with me like this.

Every time, I would whine and change the subject, never letting her finish what she was saying.

I'd even forcibly kiss her, leaving her no spare thoughts about breaking up with me.

It always worked like a charm.

Because I knew how irresistible my body was to her.

But now, I didn't want to force it anymore.

Perhaps sensing something off about my attitude, Serenity came over and sat down beside me.

Her hand covered mine—warm, gentle.

It was what I used to love most.

But now I just used the motion of drinking to pull my hand away.

Serenity frowned deeply: "Fintan, you—"

The door to the private room was suddenly thrust open.

She instinctively backed away, putting distance between us. My aunt walked in from outside: "Serenity, I just saw your ex-boyfriend out there. He's drunk and getting into fights."

Serenity suddenly got up from the sofa, not forgetting to instruct me: "Call the police!"

I didn't move, just continued drinking my alcohol.

Aunt gave me a light slap: "Hurry up and call the police, or your favorite sister Serenity will get hurt."

I swallowed a mouthful of alcohol, smiling indifferently: "This is her territory. Who could touch her?"

Aunt had always been puzzled why I always called Serenity 'sister'.

That's because I used to think if I called her sister, we'd be closer.

But she always explained that I called all single women 'sister' whenever I addressed her as such.

I knew she was warning me not to say anything inappropriate.

Because my feelings for her weren't acceptable.

If they couldn't be acknowledged, then so be it.

Aunt seemed worried and followed her.

I had no choice but to go out too.

Aunt teased me: "Still worried about sister Serenity?"

I shook my head: "She doesn't need my concern. I'm afraid you might get hurt."

The hallway was very quiet. Serenity heard what I said. She suddenly raised her head to look at me, a flicker of something inscrutable passing through her eyes.

But I was only looking at the man she was supporting—Nolan.

I'd heard they broke up simply because their families thought they weren't a good match.

When they split, both of them were devastated.

Even now, Serenity's heart still belonged to him.

Seeing him injured, the usually commanding Serenity was completely flustered.

"Melody, what should we do?"

Aunt called for the police and an ambulance, and after arranging everything, she smiled and said, "Serenity, if you care about him this much, why don't you just get back together?"

"You're the CEO now, those old concerns are no longer—"

Serenity raised her voice, cutting off her aunt's words: "You're reading too much into this. It's not what you think between us."

She racked her brain for an explanation: "This is my place. If he gets hurt here, wouldn't that ruin my reputation?"

As she explained, she looked at me and her aunt.

But I knew she was mainly gauging my reaction.

I forced a faint smile: "Aunt Carlisle, the ambulance is here. You should go take care of things."

When Serenity heard what I called her, her eyes suddenly widened.

"What did you call me?" "Aunt Carlisle, Uncle Harrington seems to be in a lot of pain."

With just one sentence, her attention was drawn to Nolan.

She supported Nolan as they walked out, but she couldn't help saying, "Didn't we agree that everyone who's not married should be called 'sister'?"

"Don't call people that carelessly next time."