Chapter -3

Ian's Pov

The next moment, a sharp knock echoed through my apartment.

I tensed. My pulse was still uneven, my breaths shallow. I forced myself to inhale deeply before exhaling through my nose.

"Come in," I said, trying to steady my voice.

The door swung open, and there stood Lily. Her brows were furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line—she was worried.

"Mr. Sinclair, you should have told me when you left the office." Her voice held the slightest tremor. "I was so worried. Your mom will kill me if something happens to you."

I scoffed, forcing a smirk. "You're such a professional, Lily. Acting like my secretary at the office and my fiancée at home." I leaned back against the headboard, studying her. "How did you even get here?"

She sighed, stepping closer. "Sir, your phone was out of network. Your mother called, panicking because she couldn't reach you. I didn't know what else to do, so I rushed over." Her gaze scanned me, as if making sure I was in one piece. "Thank God you're okay."

I ran a hand through my hair. "Yeah... I was just driving too fast. Got tired. Went straight to bed."

Her lips parted, then pressed together in frustration. "Never do that again, sir," she muttered.

Then, she crossed her arms, exhaling sharply. "I stood up Joseph for this. I had a date with him tonight."

I raised a brow. "Thinking about your boyfriend in front of your fiancé? You've got some nerve."

Her expression hardened, and for a moment, I saw something deeper in her eyes—exhaustion, maybe even desperation.

"Please, sir. Break this engagement." Her voice was softer now, but firm. "Just because your grandfather was impressed by my loyalty to your company doesn't mean he gets to decide my future. I can't marry you."

She lifted her chin slightly, her conviction unwavering. "I love Joseph. He's been my love since childhood. This… this isn't fair to either of us."

I leaned back, arms crossed, my lips curling into a smirk. "I have fame and money, Lily. Every girl out there would kill to marry me. And yet, you're the only one rejecting me."

She didn't hesitate. "Then please, sir, marry one of them."

Her words struck like a slap. I stared at her, caught off guard by her sheer indifference.

After a moment, I scoffed, shaking my head. "Why do you love Joseph so much? What does he have that I don't?"

Lily's gaze sharpened, as if she were looking at a fool. "Emotions, sir."

I frowned. "What?"

She sighed, as if exhausted by my ignorance. "You always have the same face. Whether you're happy, sad, exhausted—it never changes. It's frustrating."

Emotions.

The word echoed in my mind, unraveling something buried deep. My emotions.

I had always been a good son. A good chairman. A good student. Even a good boyfriend once. I could get whatever I wanted. People admired me, respected me. They respected my parents. I had everything.

So why did it always feel like I was missing something?

The moment Lily said emotions, it hit me. The day Evelyn left… I forgot how to feel. I became a machine. Cold. Calculated. Efficient.

I was just completing tasks, moving through life without truly living.

And that was the question I had unknowingly asked The God. Why did I always feel like this—like I was lacking something, despite having everything?

And He had told me, you will find your answers.

A sharp snap of fingers jolted me from my thoughts.

"Sir?" Lily's voice pulled me back to reality. "Are you okay?"

I exhaled slowly. "I'm just tired. You can go. I'll contact my mother myself."

She hesitated for a second, as if considering saying something else. But then, with a small nod, she turned and left.

This is getting too messed up.

The feelings. The emotions. I hate all of it.

And the problem? The problem is Evelyn.

When my grandfather said Lily was the perfect partner for me, I agreed without a second thought. She was efficient, organized—someone who knew how to handle things, both in business and in life. She was everything a man like me needed in a wife.

But if I were being honest… I was jealous.

Jealous of how easily she loved Joseph. How naturally she held onto him. Their relationship was steady, unshaken by time, while mine—mine had crumbled like a weak foundation in a storm.

I used to tell her, childhood love never lasts. It always ends in heartbreak. Just like Evelyn and me.

Evelyn.

She did me dirty.

She betrayed me.

And I hate her for that.