Chapter 1

The 999th time they had checked into a hotel together, Julian remained as wild and unbridled as ever.

The next morning, Selina woke up with her body covered in faint marks. Even the slightest movement sent a dull ache through her back and waist.

The air in the room was still thick with the lingering scent of their intimacy. Julian’s slender arm pulled her close, savoring her softness as he spoke with a casual indifference. “Dress more formally tomorrow. I want you to come home with me.”

Hearing this, Selina looked up in shock, her eyes shimmering with a sudden spark of hope.

“Are you finally planning to… make our relationship public?”

Julian arched an eyebrow and shot her a sidelong glance. “Public? What are you talking about? My parents arranged a blind date for me at home tomorrow. I want you there to help break the ice. Don’t let the girl feel uncomfortable.”

Every word hit Selina’s ears like a sudden thunderclap.

Her heart felt as if it had skipped a beat, and her mind went completely blank. “A blind date? Then what exactly am I to you?”

Julian had already stood up and started dressing. He spared her a lazy look. “You? You’re my partner for everything. A dinner partner, a gaming partner, and well, a partner to satisfy each other’s physical needs.”

A chill swept through Selina. The color drained from her face, and her lips trembled uncontrollably.

Seeing her expression, the faint smirk on Julian’s face faded. He leaned in closer to her. “Wait, Selina. You didn’t actually think we were in a committed relationship all these years, did you?”

That playful, teasing tone was like a sharp blade piercing through Selina’s chest.

She fought back the stinging sensation in her nose, her voice breaking into a fractured whisper. “Of… of course not. I’m going to take a shower first.”

She scrambled out of bed, her steps unsteady as she rushed into the bathroom.

The moment the door closed, she felt her strength vanish, and she collapsed onto the floor.

His words still echoed in her ears. Looking at the dense marks Julian had left on her skin, her tears began to fall like rain.

They had known each other for over twenty years. They grew up together, shared the same glass of milk, and read the same comic books.

They had even crossed the line after a night of drinking when they were eighteen.

Once led to twice, and then a hundred times.

They were perfectly compatible in bed, and during the day, they did everything a couple would do.

They walked hand-in-hand through crowds, kissed at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve while promising to spend the next year together, and spent hours on the phone every day just to keep the spark alive.

Selina had always believed they were together, just without an official announcement.

And now, Julian was telling her they weren't even boyfriend and girlfriend?

The pain was so intense she could hardly breathe. She turned the water on to its full volume, finally allowing herself to sob out loud under the noise.

After a long time, when her tears had finally run dry, she composed herself and stepped out.

Julian was already dressed in a crisp suit, sitting on the sofa making a call.

“There will be a lot of people tomorrow, so make sure the private room at the restaurant is large enough. She prefers light flavors, so go with Huaiyang cuisine. For the cake, get a Black Forest. The flowers should be pink and white roses. Send me photos once the decorations are done. Also, prepare a dozen black suits for me to choose from when I get back. Nina only likes that color.”

Hearing that name, Selina’s heart jolted.

She couldn't help but look over, only to see a sweet, genuine smile on Julian’s face.

Nina?

So his blind date was Nina?

The light in Selina’s eyes dimmed instantly.

If it was Nina, she finally understood why he was so happy.

In high school, Julian had a massive crush on Nina. He used to mention her name dozens of times a day.

Unfortunately, before he could confess his feelings, Nina moved abroad.

Since then, Selina had never heard him mention her again.

After that one reckless night between them, they grew closer and closer. She thought he had long since moved on from Nina.

She never imagined that the girl who was his "white moonlight" was someone he never spoke of, yet never forgot.

The pain that had briefly subsided surged back, making her hand tremble so much she could barely hold her phone.

With a soft thud, the phone slipped. Julian turned around at the sound, looking cheerful. “Done with your shower? You can check out later; I’ve already paid for the room.”

He grabbed his coat and headed for the door. Before leaving, he turned back to give her a half-smile.

“Selina, I’ve always treated you like one of the guys. Don't give me that heartbroken look again, or I’ll start thinking you actually have feelings for me.”

“I know you inside out. I don’t even have to speak for you to know what I’m thinking. Don’t you think a life like that is boring? If we were actually together, it feels like we’d reach the end of the road on day one.”

His voice faded along with his footsteps, but his words continued to ring in the depths of Selina’s heart.

She sat on the cold bed and eventually began to laugh—a laugh that quickly turned back into tears.

So, this was how Julian had thought of her all these years.

She sat there alone until late at night before checking out.

It was pouring rain outside, but she walked home in a daze, oblivious to the cold.

Seeing her soaked to the bone, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling rushed over with dry towels, their voices full of concern. “It’s pouring! Why didn't you call a cab?”

Selina looked at her parents with numb, vacant eyes, her voice raspy.

“Dad, Mom… remember how you wanted to emigrate because of the company’s restructuring? I’ve thought it over. Let’s move. Let’s leave and never come back.”

After trying to convince her for over six months, her parents were stunned to hear her finally agree. “You’ve really made up your mind? Did you break up with that boyfriend of yours?”

Recalling Julian’s words, Selina felt a bitter ache in her chest. she shook her head with a forced smile.

“There was no boyfriend. There never was. I just made him up so you wouldn't pressure me to get married.”

Though they weren't sure if she was telling the truth, the Sterlings were overjoyed. They immediately began preparing the immigration paperwork while urging her to pack her bags.

Selina gave a quiet nod, went back to her bedroom, and began throwing away everything related to Julian.

Photo albums documenting over a decade of memories, jewelry he had gifted her, dresses, handmade sculptures…

Everything was tossed into the trash.

“Miss, all these beautiful things… you really don’t want them?”

Seeing the regret in the nanny’s eyes, Selina nodded gently, her voice faint.

“I don’t want them anymore.”

Not just the objects—this relationship, and Julian himself—she didn't want any of it anymore.

Chapter 2

The next morning, Selina was awakened by the persistent buzzing of her phone. It was Julian.

He had sent dozens of messages in a row, demanding to know when she was coming over.

A wave of bitterness washed over her. Julian, do you have any idea how cruel you are?

With trembling fingers, she typed back a short reply: "I'm not feeling well today. I’m not coming."

A few moments later, a knock came at her bedroom door. It was her parents.

"Selina, even if you’re having a tiff with Julian, don’t pick today to throw a tantrum," Mr. Sterling urged. "Hurry up, get dressed, and head over to the Thornes'. You have no idea how much this blind date means to him. He’s liked that Nina girl for years. The moment he heard she was back in New York, he begged me to pull some strings to set this up."

"That’s right," Mrs. Sterling added.

"Nina studied piano with me for a while. I had to personally visit her family to make this meeting happen. From the gifts to the dinner menu, everything is incredibly formal. They want you there to liven up the atmosphere. With another girl your age around, Nina won't feel so awkward. Julian is truly serious this time. You two are so close; how can you not help him?"

Julian had actually called her parents when he realized she wasn't coming!

Forced by their earnest pleas, Selina fought back her tears, washed up, and went downstairs.

Since the two families lived nearby, she reached the Thorne residence ten minutes later.

She opened the shoe cabinet in the foyer.