Chapter 1 Chapter 1

Dressed in a wedding gown, I had professed to Aldric Cromwell 143 times. Whenever I declared my feelings, I'd invariably stand outside his namesake, prestigious office building, clutching a bouquet of bridal flowers. Meanwhile, he would parade his new fling around, appearing in various entertainment places. It could be an award-winning restaurant, the front-row seats to a mega star's concert, or the local courthouse to register a marriage today and file for divorce tomorrow, just for the thrill of a whirlwind romance gone cold. Everything I had ever dreamed of was granted to other women, as if they meant nothing at all. I locked my phone and stood by the roadside, waiting to flag down an empty cab. I waited for a long time without a single car passing by. Then, Aldric called. His cold and unfeeling voice waltzed into my ear as the call connected. "It's late. Why aren't you home yet? You're my fiancée—at least act like one." Faced with my silence, he continued, "Hello? Have you lost your ability to speak? Where are you now?" I kept quiet from the start. Had it been in the past, I would've convinced myself he was just too busy to remember anything about me, and I would then have gently explained the situation to him. However, at that moment, I didn't have it in myself to please him. Aldric's voice was tinged with an unmistakable annoyance. "Stop wasting my time and answer my question, Amelia.""Downstairs, outside your HQ." I spoke at last, and upon some thoughts, I added, "Wearing a wedding dress." His voice caught, along with his anger, as if he suddenly remembered the promise he once made to me. As long as I confessed to him here 142 times in a wedding dress, he would appear on the 143rd time and accept my confession. Yet, he was currently at the largest Wondergrove Theme Park in the country, bathed in a sky full of dazzling fireworks. Just moments ago, he was still holding his new girlfriend, Bianca Alvarez, in a deep kiss. "I forgot today was our scheduled confession day. Wait for me. I'll come and pick you up now." For the first time, he seemed to care about something related to me. As the call ended with a beep, I waved off the cab that had just pulled up beside me. Not because I still held any hope for Aldric, but because the weather had suddenly turned. Large raindrops began to fall and splatter against my body. Wearing nothing but a shoulder-baring wedding dress, I stood by the roadside in the rain, shivering from the cold. Of course, my phone got soaked in the downpour, triggering its short-circuit protection and shutting down. The whole time, Aldric never came to pick me up. Before my device was switched off, I came across Bianca's newly updated Facebook post. Attached was a selfie she took with Aldric while they stood beside the limited-edition Koenigsegg. Even the caption was disgustingly affectionate. "You've cast a spell on my mind and body. From now on, I never want to leave your side. I love you so much." Without a doubt, it was a romantic declaration. My wry smile reflected on my dimmed phone screen. After 143 heartfelt declarations, all I received in return was complete disregard, as he rented out the entirely dreamlike Wondergrove Theme Park to celebrate Bianca's birthday. I waited in the rain all night, unheard and unseen. Only then did I belatedly realize I had spent five years of my youth chasing an utterly hollow dream. In that dream, he kept his promise, grew tired of the dazzling outside world, and came back to me. Eventually, he chose me as his lifelong partner. The dream was finally over. The tears had dried, and I was done waiting. I decided not to go home on that rainy night. Instead, I dragged my nearly frozen body and stumbled my way for two hours until I found the nearest hotel. After drying my phone and restarting it, I found an empty inbox, without a single message from Aldric. The next morning, I arrived early at the company, ready to hand in my resignation.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Aldric was the founder of Cromwell LLP, the most elite law firm on Equinox Street. It was well known that Equinox Street not only dominated the world of capital markets and investment banking but also represented the pinnacle of the Amerethian legal profession. To be among the top firms on Equinox Street was, without question, to stand among the summit of the legal world. Cromwell LLP had offices worldwide. It was no exaggeration to say the firm held a near-monopoly on cross-border mergers and acquisitions and private equity work in Amerethia. Naturally, as the man who built it all from the ground up, Aldric's net worth now edged close to a hundred billion. Meanwhile, I was just one of thousands of practicing attorneys at his firm. It was true that I stood by his side when he had nothing. But now, with his fame and fortune cemented, I, stagnant in life, was destined to be left behind. "Even if I disappear, it'll probably be just another Tuesday to him." Just as I prepared to sign my resignation letter, Aldric appeared behind me without warning. His gaze burned into me with intensity, but the resolute me remained unaffected for once. Instead of losing myself in his eyes like I used to, I quietly flipped my resignation letter face down and looked up at him with calm indifference. With a cool and clear voice, he asked, "What are you doing?" My lips quivered slightly before they formed into a polite smile. "Nothing much. Just reading through a few contracts for project handovers." His brows furrowed, but he didn't seem to notice anything strange. Instead, he headed toward the private elevator that led directly to the CEO's penthouse office. "Come to my office, Ms. Walker." All my colleagues in the office were in an uproar, considering I had been summoned to Aldric's office. "Oh my gosh, it's Mr. Cromwell! I can't believe he's here at our office and even called Amelia to the office! What's going on?""Probably because Amelia, our Ms. Matrimony, was stationed outside the building in a wedding dress yesterday like a lunatic. It has to have affected our company's reputation somehow.""I think so, too. Yesterday, Mr. Cromwell celebrated his girlfriend's birthday at Wondergrove Theme Park. Everyone was talking about how he was so rich and romantic. "Then, out of nowhere, Amelia's news took the spotlight and even associated her with his name. If I were him, I would've been pissed as well." "Mr. Cromwell is far too kind. If I were the CEO, I would've fired an average-performing, reputation-damaging employee a long time ago." How ironic. I was Aldric's legal fiancée, yet he led the whole company to think I was a foolish, desperate bride-to-be who had no relationship with him. Up at the CEO's penthouse office, Aldric looked at me with furrowed brows. "The butler said you were never home the whole night. Can't you be more sensible at your age? "Just because I couldn't make time to pick you up didn't mean you couldn't have taken a cab and gone home." I fought the urge to tear up and slowly shook my head. "There was a heavy pour, and many roads were severely flooded. It was too much of a hassle." That was both a truth and an excuse on my part. More importantly, I had no plan on returning to our so-called home anymore. My mind was made, and I would leave for good this time. Aldric, still clueless about everything, piped up after a momentary silence. "Right—I accept your confession yesterday." As he spoke, he handed me an envelope. "There are still plenty of preparations to be made for the wedding. Tonight, we'll just go there." I lowered my gaze and opened the envelope, pulling out a ticket to my favorite musical troupe at a front-row seat. I knew he was trying to make amends. After some thought, I quietly accepted the ticket. It was what he owed me, anyway, and I had every right to claim it back. My silence seemingly made Aldric nervous. His Adam's apple bobbed as if he wanted to say something. Suddenly, the phone lying flat on his desk vibrated, breaking his train of thought. He didn't answer it before me, instead picking up the phone and quickly walking away. In reality, I had already seen the caller ID when his screen first lit up—Honey. Was that his latest girlfriend, Bianca? When I left the company, I found Aldric's deputy and handed in my resignation. Mark Barton, the Deputy CEO of Cromwell LLP, was visibly surprised by my decision. "Ms. Walker, did you make this decision because of what Mr. Cromwell said to you?" I pursed my lips, suddenly finding it amusing. Everyone, including Mark, assumed I had shown up in a wedding dress outside the company as some kind of performance art. According to their assumption, Aldric scolded me, shattered my illusions, which led to my decision to quit. They had no idea that I chose to leave because he had broken my heart. Mark said nothing further. With a swift stroke of his pen, he approved my resignation. As I stepped out of Cromwell LLP headquarters, I saw Aldric and Bianca. Right where I waited in vain yesterday, they were engaged in a passionate kiss. Her sultry, swaying body grew softer in his arms, and his breath grew heavier at her kiss. At the height of their embrace, he boldly lifted her off the ground and carried her inside the building. We brushed past each other without a word from me, but his eyes flashed a warning, as if telling me not to ruin his fun. At that moment, I finally understood that heartbreak, when it lingered long enough, could turn into numbness. That night, I arrived on time, with a ticket in hand, to watch the musical. The theater was packed to the brim, with only one seat conspicuously empty—Aldric's. In the past, whenever he invited me, I would wait for him to arrive before entering the theater. This time, I refused to wait. I let myself sink into the performance, enjoying the show alone. Aldric never showed, but I wasn't angry. Five years of misplaced trust had already drained every ounce of expectation I once had for him. Still, I wondered if he had seen my resignation letter. Well, that didn't matter anymore, did it? Nothing would change the fact that I was leaving, anyway. After the concert, I didn't go home. Instead, I wandered along the waterfront. Though my phone kept ringing, I couldn't be bothered to answer.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

I wandered the streets until past midnight before finally returning to where I had lived with Aldric for five years. To my surprise, the living room light was still on, and Aldric was lying on the couch, fast asleep. Was he waiting for me? For five years as his fiancée, it was always he who drank himself into a stupor while I fretted over him from afar. I would call him countless times, afraid something might happen. Once I was sure he was safe, I would worry about his stomach from the heavy drinking and prepare antidotes for his hangover in advance. Aldric had often told me he disliked this because it made him feel old. Still, I kept doing it anyway. Deep down, I believed that growing old with him was the most romantic and happiest thing in the world. My thoughts drifted back. Perhaps hearing the door, Aldric suddenly woke up, alert and sharp. When he saw me, he instantly rushed forward and held me in a tight embrace. "The musical ended hours ago. Where have you been? Why haven't you answered my calls? Do you know how worried I was? I was going to call the police if I didn't hear from you within the next hour." I froze for a moment, then pulled away from his embrace. Then, I showed him my phone; its screen had long since blacked out. "It rained heavily yesterday, and I couldn't get a cab. So, I walked all the way to the nearest hotel. The rain soaked my phone, and even after drying it out, it still shuts down randomly." Hearing about the storm, Aldric showed a rare trace of guilt on his face. He seemingly remembered how he had stood me up last night. After a pause, he sighed quietly and awkwardly pulled out a small box before handing it to me. I took it and opened it, and before my eyes was a stunning diamond ring nestling in delicate black velvet. Frankly, I was momentarily stunned. There were many times I had hoped he would keep his promise—that we would exchange rings and vows at a grand castle wedding. However, all that was now irretrievably in the past. I felt nothing as I glanced at the ring. After closing the box, I casually tossed it onto the coffee table and said, "Thanks." Aldric stared at me in disbelief. His striking eyebrows scrunched together, as if baffled by my odd reaction. Indeed, my reaction was a stark contrast to my usual demeanor. In the past, I would've screamed as soon as I saw the diamond ring, then dove into his arms with happy tears. All the grievances or misery I had endured would've been buried deep and forgotten instantly. At that thought, a dry smile crept onto my lips. Without any genuine emotions behind my voice, I asked, "Thank you. I'm so happy. This is so wonderful. Is that enough?" Aldric hadn't displayed much patience with me. I expected that my moodiness today would only earn a cold snort from him and a dismissive wave of his hand. Instead, his grip tightened on my wrist, and I met his slightly annoyed glare. "Hey, Bianca was just visiting the company, wasn't she? Besides, I've fulfilled my promise and given you what you wanted. "The wedding is in motion, so why can't you be less unreasonable? What more do you want?" I wasn't intimidated by his dark expression. Pulling my wrist free, I quietly said, "You're reading this wrong. I'm just tired." His expression tightened. This might be the first time he had ever sensed indifference from me. Caught between hesitation and confusion, he seemed just about to reach for my hand when his phone buzzed once more. He halted mid-motion, and we both glanced at the lit screen and saw Bianca-Honey. He looked at me, about to explain himself, but I stopped him. "You're busy with work, I know. Save the explanation. I totally get it." My calm, understanding tone caught him off guard. In the end, amid the urgent vibrations of his phone, he exhaled softly and stuffed the ring box back into my hand before walking away with his phone. "Profess to me one more time. I'll be there for the 144th declaration. This time, I'll say yes, just as promised." With that, he strode toward the study without looking back. I feigned ignorance of the situation and turned into my bedroom. That night, I had the soundest sleep in five years. Everything was over. Aldric and I would never see each other again.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

When I arrived at the company the next day, I headed to my workstation as always, but my colleague, Daisy Miller, stopped me. "You're in trouble, Amelia." I looked at her, confused. What kind of trouble would I have other than to pack up my stuff as a resigned employee? As though troubled by something, Daisy carefully pointed to the front. There, I finally noticed that the seat that used to be mine was now occupied by Bianca. She sat leisurely while she touched up her makeup in a fitted, high-end orange-pink pantsuit. Thanks to Daisy's explanation, I finally understood what had happened. With Aldric's help, Bianca had officially joined Cromwell LLP. Knowing her relationship with the CEO, the department head had fawned over her, letting her pick any seat she liked. Mine was the one she chose at first glance. Understanding the true intent behind Bianca's move, I silently walked over to her. Seeing me approach, she raised her perfectly trimmed brows and curled her bold red lips into a sneer. With a smug chuckle, she said, "Aldric told me I could choose whatever I wanted—the department, office, and even seating. I like this spot the most, so you'll have to move. Thanks!" My heart was as calm as the lake. I simply nodded and knelt to pack the belongings she had carelessly tossed aside. "Sure. Let me gather my things." My mind was set on leaving, and I didn't want any more complications. Thus, I kept my tone humble, my stance low. The surrounding coworkers, however, had taken note of everything. They already had opinions about me showing up in a wedding dress outside the company from time to time. Still, Bianca's entitled behavior, wielding her status as the boss' girlfriend to boss me, a long-time employee, was even harder to stomach. Still, no one dared say anything outright, given that her backing was Aldric himself. They simply watched with quiet sympathy and, perhaps, a bit of judgment over his taste in women. Just as I finished packing up, ready to walk away, Aldric appeared. The moment Bianca saw him, her arrogance melted away. She fluttered over, clinging to his arm in a deliberately sweet display. However, as the CEO of Cromwell LLP, Aldric didn't indulge her openly. He simply took her hand in his and began introducing her to the rest of the team. "This is Bianca Alvarez. From now on, she'll be working in this department. Do help each other out, alright?" A drizzle of applause echoed through the office. Aldric raised an eyebrow but didn't pay it much attention. He was no stranger to changing girlfriends like the changing seasons. While his interest lasted, he was generous with his affection, so long as the woman didn't ask for anything unreasonable. Still, these short-term flings—temporary muses who offered little more than fleeting emotional comfort—were no candidates for commitment and emotional investment to him. "Have you picked your spot?" He diverted the topic. His tone toward Bianca might be affectionate, but it felt rehearsed, polished, and entirely formulaic. Clearly, Bianca hadn't realized that. With an air of authority, she pointed at my table. "I have. Right… here." Following the direction of her finger, Aldric finally noticed me and my box of belongings. His expression shifted unnaturally. "That seat is occupied. Why don't you choose another one?" He turned her down, gaze swiftly averting away from me. Still, Bianca was determined to prove to me that Aldric loved her more than he loved me. Hence, she clung to his arm and playfully whined, "Come on, Aldric. Let me have this seat. It's close to the door, and I get to see you as soon as you come looking for me." I had no interest in watching whatever that was. Without hesitation, I piped up. "It's okay, Mr. Cromwell. I'm willing to give Ms. Alvarez my table and seat." Whether it was my workstation or my romantic partner, Bianca treated them both as something precious. Meanwhile, neither of those things was worth anything to me anymore. My submissive display only brightened Bianca's expression even more. "See, Aldric? I didn't steal her table or anything. She's willing to give it to me." Aldric's expression remained grim. After staring at Bianca for a second, he spoke with an undefiable authority. "Don't make me repeat myself. The seat is taken, so pick another one." Was this the same Aldric who had always been gentle and indulgent toward Bianca? Was he actually getting annoyed with her? For a moment, she was stunned into stillness by the look in his eyes. Having made his stance clear, he had no intention of coaxing her. He simply cast me a thoughtful glance and walked away. Panicked, Bianca stumbled after him in her stilettos, hurrying to the door in an almost comical fluster. Even then, she didn't forget to shoot me a glare before disappearing through the office doors. I almost broke into a smile. She was just like the old me, wasn't she? No matter how coldly she had been treated, she would still run after him like a hopeful puppy. The only difference was that I had confessed to him 143 times over the course of five years. As I carried my belongings into the cab, I received a text message from Aldric. "Let's have your 144th declaration tomorrow. I'll be waiting for you with the decorated car." I laughed before removing my SIM card and tossing it away. My luggage had been packed, and a one-way ticket to Eastmere had been booked. The next day, Aldric waited early at the spot where I had proposed countless times in a perfectly tailored suit, standing beside that same limited-edition Koenigsegg, now covered in fresh flowers.