Chapter 1

My billionaire CEO boyfriend loved the thrill of a secret affair.

That was why he never acknowledged me in public.

In the office, he was always cold and distant. But the second we were alone, he would lock the conference room door, pin my wrists, and press me against the table.

In the elevator, he would stand as far away from me as possible, looking at me with pure disdain. But when no one was around, he would pull me by the waist and kiss me until I couldn't breathe.

At company parties, I always sat at the farthest table, watching him charm the room and chat with others. But when it was over, he would drag me into a dark corner, his large hands slipping under my clothes, making me shiver.

Gasping for air, I would whisper, "Julian, let's go public."

He would pause, then kiss me even harder.

"You know I'm doing this to protect you, Harper."

"Besides, do you have any idea how hot you look right now?"

Every single time, I would give in. Until my birthday.

Julian threw a party for me, but he gave the seat of honor to his childhood friend, Chloe Bennet.

He explained it so casually:

"Even though it's your birthday, it's better if you don't draw too much attention. It's for your own good."

"It's just a seat. Don't be petty."

Before I could even reply, he pushed my birthday cake right in front of Chloe.

Looking at them—so perfect, so matching, like a golden couple.

Suddenly, I didn't want to fight for him anymore.

After tonight, we were going to be strangers.

Right then, Julian's mother, Eleanor Vance, walked in.

Her gaze swept past me with barely a glance, and she went straight to Chloe.

"Finally, we meet formally. Julian talks about you like you're his absolute world."

My hand shook, nearly spilling my drink.

Julian had told me this afternoon that his mother was coming to the dinner.

I thought he was finally ready to introduce me to her.

It turned out he was just laying the groundwork for someone else.

Chloe's face flushed red, and she playfully nudged Julian. "Eleanor is teasing me. Aren't you going to say something?"

Julian glanced at me first, his eyes carrying a silent warning.

Then, he looked back at Chloe with pure affection and said nothing.

Since he wanted me to stay quiet, I decided to do the exact opposite.

I raised my glass. "Yes, Mrs. Vance. Make sure you remember your future daughter-in-law. Don't get her mixed up with anyone else."

Eleanor didn't catch my sarcasm. She simply smiled at the other colleagues.

"How could I? Our family decided on Chloe a long time ago."

"Julian tries to keep it quiet, but his phone is full of her photos."

"And when I was sick, Chloe brought me homemade healthy meals every single day."

She opened her phone gallery to show everyone. It was full of photos of Julian and Chloe.

Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, surfing in Hawaii—they were always standing side-by-side.

"Mrs. Vance, it was the least I could do," Chloe said, blushing.

Under the table, my fists clenched so hard my nails dug into my palms.

Iceland and Hawaii were places I had begged to go. But every time before we were supposed to leave, Julian always had an excuse.

Either a major client was suddenly visiting, or he had to rush a project.

The healthy meals were indeed made by hand. But every time I wanted to deliver them to his mother, Julian stopped me.

"It's too early for you to meet her. Let me prepare my dad first."

So I waited. I waited for him to be ready, for him to arrange everything.

I waited for the chance to stand proudly by his side.

But he already had someone else. He never needed me.

Eleanor swiped to a photo of her in the hospital and patted Chloe's hand.

She slipped an incredibly expensive diamond bracelet onto Chloe's wrist, looking deeply touched.

"Especially after my surgery, I had to watch my diet. She customized a nutritional meal plan for me every day without fail."

Chloe shot a quick, knowing look at me. She knew those meals were made by me.

A few times, Julian had literally told her to come over and pick them up from our place.

During that time, I got up at five every morning to research recipes and adjust nutrition ratios, taking it more seriously than my actual job.

And now, all that effort was being credited to someone else.

Her look was pure provocation.

Then, she leaned back against Eleanor.

"As long as you liked it, Mrs. Vance."

My blood ran cold.

She knew. She wanted to take my place.

Suddenly, a colleague noticed something was off.

"Harper, did you want to say something earlier?"

Before I could speak, Julian took the glass out of my hand.

"It's her birthday. She's had a bit too much to drink."

He cut a perfect piece of steak and placed it on my plate.

"You have a weak stomach and you still drink. Don't complain to me tonight if it hurts."

His voice was familiar, his actions natural.

As if he couldn't bear to see me suffer even a little bit.

The colleagues laughed.

"Oh, is it Harper's birthday today? We almost forgot."

"Why is the birthday girl sitting all the way by the door?"

The smoke from the candle I had blown out was still drifting in the air.

The first slice of my birthday cake had already been cut and served to Chloe by Julian.

My birthday, amidst their laughter, felt like an afterthought.

Following the jokes of the crowd, Eleanor suddenly looked at me.

"Does this girl have a crush on Julian?"

The room went dead silent.

I looked up at Julian.

He looked back at me.

Seven years.

All it took was one sentence.

"She doesn't have a crush on me. She's my girlfriend."

Just one sentence would have been enough.

Instead, Julian lowered his head, pushing a bowl of soup to Chloe.

"Mom, ignore her."

Someone couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

"Looks like the boss is really annoyed with her."

"Harper, have you been secretly in love with Julian all these years?"

"No wonder she's been single."

Chloe quickly waved her hands. "Stop teasing Harper, guys. She's sensitive."

I stared at Julian.

He was focused on cutting up food, acting as if he hadn't heard a single word.

The string that had been pulled tight in my heart for seven years suddenly snapped without making a sound.

I stood up and grabbed my bag.

Julian frowned. "Where are you going?"

"Home."

"You haven't eaten the cake."

I glanced at the cake in front of Chloe, which was missing a corner.

"Save it for her."

"After all, she's the one sitting at the head table, blowing out the candles, and wearing the bracelet."

"Don't let it go to waste."

Julian's face darkened instantly.

"Harper Ward, don't be childish."

I didn't look back.

Before the door closed, I could hear Chloe urging him.

"Julian, shouldn't you go after her?"

But Julian's voice echoed across the table. "No need."

"If I spoil her now, she'll just throw bigger tantrums later."

I stood outside the door for two seconds, then pressed the elevator button.