Chapter 1

Her boyfriend of three years said he would take her to the beach for New Year's Eve.

But on New Year's Eve night, her boyfriend was nowhere to be found.

She went outside to look for him.

Instead, she saw him on the beach, tenderly embracing his childhood sweetheart.

"This is the last New Year's Eve I'll spend with you. Tomorrow, I'm going to propose to her. You can get married without worry. I won't bother you anymore."

On the first day of Christmas, she accepted his proposal, but on the eve of their wedding, she held another man's hand and said to him:

"You can keep being a lovesick puppy without worry. I have someone to marry now. I won't bother you anymore."

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1

At the moment the fireworks exploded, Xavion's silhouette embracing Harlow became even clearer in my view.

The icy, bone-chilling sea breeze made my body tremble slightly, while Xavion's words from earlier kept replaying in my ears over and over.

The instant the fireworks ended, I rushed up to Xavion. The doting smile in his eyes made my heart ache sharply.

Upon seeing me, Xavion hastily let go of his arms around Harlow, speaking in a reproachful tone,

"Why did you come here? Harlow had too much to drink and wasn't feeling well, so I brought her out for some fresh air."

My eyes stung as I forcefully suppressed the quiver in my voice,

"You promised to bring me here for New Year's Eve. Why is Harlow here?!"

Harlow smoothed her wind-tousled hair and gave me a contemptuous glance,

"Xavion, I've got a bit of a headache. Let's head back."

Xavion immediately took hold of Harlow's arm, walking past me while saying impatiently,

"We'll talk about this when we get back."I pulled on Xavion's sleeve, my pent-up frustration from being ignored suddenly bursting forth.

"Xavion! I'm your girlfriend!"

Hearing the tears in my voice, Xavion turned to glance at me. His eyes held a flicker of guilt, and he was about to speak when—

"Ouch, my foot!"

Harlow suddenly crouched down, clutching her ankle. Xavion immediately whirled back, scooping her up in his arms.

He strode away quickly, completely oblivious to me, whom he had roughly yanked to the ground. The rocky beach shore was razor-sharp.

I remained on my knees for a long time, unable to get up. The sea breeze whipped sand across my wounds, causing me to tremble in pain.

Xavion's retreating figure, growing smaller in the distance, was like a dull knife, inch by inch, stabbing into my chest.

I stumbled back to the hotel lobby. The bright lights made the wounds on my legs look even more gruesome.

This startled the lobby staff. They found a first aid kit and helped me with some basic treatment.

Returning to the room I shared with Xavion, I found it empty. I sat on the couch by the window, staring out at the pitch-black beach.I've been with Xavion for three years now, and I've always known about Harlow's existence. They were true childhood sweethearts, and she's Xavion's ex-girlfriend.

But during these three years I've been with Xavion, Harlow has always had a boyfriend, and she's about to get married soon. This has been Xavion's excuse to brush me off all along.

Just as I was still trapped in my masochistic memories, Xavion came back. He sat down across from me without saying a word.

I hadn't turned to look at him yet when he suddenly crouched down in front of me, panicking.

"What happened to your leg?! How did it get so bad? We need to go to the hospital."

He was about to reach out and carry me, but I pushed his hand away. My voice was still hoarse,

"Don't touch me. Go find your Harlow!"

Xavion's movement paused for a moment, then he grasped my hand.

"I'm sorry. Harlow was feeling down and insisted on coming. I was afraid you'd be upset, so I didn't tell you."

The warmth from Xavion's hand calmed my emotions a bit. I wiped the tears from my face forcefully.

Under Xavion's constant apologies, I softened. This was the man I had loved for three years, and what he said wasn't wrong.Harlow was getting married. Once she tied the knot, she'd surely step out of Xavion's and my life completely. At least, that's what I figured would happen.