ery

tlantic Ocean, my throat dry a

nds to realize that I had already left New York, left the pla

retching beneath the plane like a blank canvas untouched by any mark. It

ging me a sense of relief I had not felt in a long time. At least for this moment, ther

p, thinking it was a message from Chloe. Maybe she had already helped me organiz

howed an image sent f

ranger, yet an inexplicable sense of unease quickly spread through

n the photo

fie, a satisfied smile spread across her face. Arou

g stopped f

nd piece. To create it, I had spent countless nights refining every detail, from the angle of the g

that it was not just a piece of jewelry, but one of the most meaningful gifts she had ever received. Back then, she

ured into that necklace was han

he give it

the photo quickl

more beautiful on the future Mrs. Stone. T

felt like a perfectly aimed blade pierc

being taken over by her, piece by piece. My identity, my position, even the creatio

ing anger and violation surged through me,

st at this moment, she ha

a woman abandoned by her fiancé and driven into an emotional breakdown,

s were about to consume m

t this relationship did not fall

gs, taking my efforts for granted, and believing that no matter what he did, I would always

everything. Not

ck down. My fingertips were cold, yet unusually steady. I opened my pho

the ancient and solemn words. "I, Ellery Si

e

successfully delivered. I stared at the not

gger's number again, completely cutting off the

me. I leaned back against the seat and slowly closed my eyes. The p

iven, all the times I had compromised, waited, and fought to protect

ed down my face, tracing

hed through me, so sudden and short-lived that I almost wonder

ecause from this moment on, there wa

I thought I could only swallow this pain alone, a slender and elegant hand suddenly app

moved his eye mask. He looked at me quie

s still deep, carrying a ste

t his eyes. The next se

g a dangerous intensity that was impossible to ignore. Those eyes seemed capable of piercin

owerful sensation suddenly passed throug

relationship, or because this man himself possessed a presence that was

tips accidentally brushed against his hand. Ano

y wiping away the tears on my face. My ch

ed my voice and quickly turned

because my heartbeat had already c

I heard the man bes

ry Si

his silver-gray eyes, still carrying a t

d an undeniable sense of authority. "The moment y

furrowed

he know