Chapter 1

From seventeen to twenty-seven, I was head over heels for Everett for a decade, and everyone knew it.

Three years ago, we finally made it official, but Everett still did whatever he wanted, completely disregarding my feelings.

Even on my birthday, he could fly thousands of miles away just because his childhood sweetheart said she "wanted to see snow," leaving me all alone here.

I had finally accumulated enough disappointment with him, and after breaking up, I fled overseas.

I thought that would be the end between us, but Everett, who would normally frown even when I tied his tie for him,

Stood out in the snowy night for hours, his eyes red-rimmed as he asked me:

"Delia, do you really not want me anymore?"

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On the day of my twenty-seventh birthday, many friends came to celebrate, but Everett, my boyfriend, was conspicuously absent.

After countless phone calls, Everett's impatient voice finally rang in my ear.

"What do you want?"

As soon as Everett's voice came through, the private room, which had been filled with whispers, suddenly fell silent. Everyone was watching to see what was happening on my end.

Swallowing my embarrassment, I tried to keep my tone as light as possible:

"It's my birthday today. All my friends are already here. How much longer until you arrive?"

Before Everett could respond, Isadora's voice came through:

"Everett, what are you doing? Let's go skiing."

Everett's reply to Isadora was much gentler: "Just taking a call. I'll be right there."

Then, reverting to his previous tone, he said to me:

"Isadora wanted to see snow, so I took her to Chicago. I'll make it up to you when I get back."

I had imagined many scenarios for today, but never one where Everett wouldn't even show his face.

"Everett..."

I instinctively called out his name, but Everett had already hung up the phone.

The lively music that had been playing earlier had long since stopped, and many people's gazes toward me were filled with sympathy.

My fondness for Everett was well-known in our social circle. At one point, people even placed bets on how long I would continue to be his devoted admirer.

Three years ago, when Everett and I got together, it shocked quite a few people. They all thought Everett had turned over a new leaf for me.

But within just two weeks, some began to understand what was really going on.

Everett had merely given me a title.

He loved racing cars, and when he made me accompany him to his club, I was always left sitting alone in a corner, watching him and his buddies recklessly work up a sweat.

He would even impatiently dodge away when I tried to wipe his sweat.

Isadora was his childhood sweetheart. Everett had once done quite a few outrageous things for her.

Everett knew how much Isadora bothered me, yet he still chose to fly thousands of miles away on my birthday because of something she said, standing me up.

My eyes were burning and swelling up, but I still forced a smile, pretending as if nothing had happened, encouraging my friends to enjoy themselves.

After returning home, I was scolded by my dad once again.

"Delia, what's so great about Everett that you keep throwing yourself at him like you've lost your mind?"

"I'm telling you, this time you have to cut ties with Everett for good, you hear me?"

I hadn't eaten all night, and my low blood sugar made my lips tremble slightly. Although it was extremely difficult to speak, I still managed to say softly:

"...Okay."

My dad thought I was going to argue with him again, so he started lecturing me at length. Halfway through, he belatedly realized I had agreed to his demand, and was suddenly in disbelief.

"You... are you serious?"

Looking at the gray hair at my dad's temples, I suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion.

Our family business was doing well, and many people would respectfully call my dad Mr. Yates when they saw him outside.

But for all these years, I've been chasing after Everett like a lovesick puppy, not only making a fool of myself but also embarrassing my dad.

My eyes welled up with tears again as I said to my dad:

"I mean it this time. I... I want to go to England to clear my head."