A man stood by the window, dressed in a dark tailored suit, one hand tucked into his pocket as though he owned the place.

When he turned, the smile on his lips was as refined as ever.

And just as hateful.

Daniel Caldwell.

Lilian’s fingers curled tightly. "How dare you come here?"

Daniel glanced at her calmly. "Still so emotional. No wonder you ruin everything you touch."

"Get out."

"I came to congratulate you." He adjusted his cufflinks. "You’re back beside Alexander again. Impressive. I didn’t think he would still pity you after all these years."

Her face paled. "Watch your words."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"Tell me, Lilian... if Alexander learns why you were outside that night, what do you think he’ll do?"

Her breath caught.

"Shut up."

"If Alexander learns what you did that night... or why you came back to him after everything fell apart..."

"Shut up!"

Her voice cracked through the room.

For the first time, Daniel smiled for real.

"There she is."

Lilian’s chest rose and fell violently. "You’re the one who destroyed me."

"No," Daniel said coldly. "I simply exposed what you were willing to become."

He leaned in slightly.

"You should be thanking me. Without that night, would Alexander have spent years helping you out of guilt?"

Lilian’s hand flew across his face.

The sharp sound echoed through the room.

Daniel slowly turned back, touching his cheek.

Then he laughed.

"You can deny it all you want. But if I fall, I won’t fall alone."

He placed a business card on the table.

"Call me when Alexander finally sees through your little games."

He walked past her, then paused at the door.

"Oh... and congratulations on almost losing Alexander to his wife."

The door closed.

Lilian stood frozen.

Then, with trembling hands, she snatched the card and tore it into pieces.

But her expression had already changed.

Because for the first time in years—

she was afraid of the truth resurfacing.

Alicia’s POV

‎September 20th arrived quickly.

‎It wasn’t a Saturday or Sunday, but a Wednesday—just an ordinary workday.

‎Shortly before the end of office hours, I received a message from Alexander.

‎Wait for me in the parking garage after work. We’re going out for dinner tonight.

‎I stared at the screen for a moment before replying.

‎Okay.

‎After work, I went down to the underground parking garage, found Alexander’s car, and slipped into the passenger seat to wait.

‎As I sat there, my gaze drifted to the glove compartment.

‎It wasn’t fully closed.

‎Inside was a small velvet box.

‎A ring box.

‎My heartbeat quickened.

‎After hesitating for a moment, I opened it.

‎Nestled inside was a delicately designed diamond ring, elegant and understated.

‎Could this be Alexander’s gift for our anniversary?

‎I carefully placed it back exactly where I had found it.

‎A moment later, the driver’s door opened and Alexander got in.

‎He glanced at me. "Have you been waiting long?"

‎"Not really."

‎"Good. Let’s go."

‎He started the car and drove out of the garage.

‎I turned to look at him. "Where are we going for dinner?"

‎"A Michelin-starred restaurant. I already made a reservation."

‎"Sounds nice."

‎Soon, the car came to a stop in front of an upscale restaurant.

‎A valet opened the door for Alexander, and he came around to my side before taking my hand.

‎Together, we walked inside.

‎The waiter respectfully led us to a private dining room.

‎When the door opened, I froze.

‎The room had been decorated with painstaking care.

‎Soft golden lighting filled the space. Red candles flickered gently across the table. A lavish bouquet of roses rested in the center, and the sofa was lined with heart-shaped cushions.

‎The atmosphere was intimate, warm... romantic.

‎"Congratulations on your second wedding anniversary," the waiter said with a smile. "Mr. Blackwood arranged this candlelight dinner in advance. We wish you both a lifetime of happiness and children soon. Please enjoy your evening."

‎With that, he quietly withdrew.

‎Alexander walked to the table, picked up the bouquet, and came to stand before me.

‎He offered it to me. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

‎"Happy second anniversary, dear wife."

‎I stared at him, stunned.

‎In the candlelight, his sharp features seemed almost sculpted from shadow and gold. His usually cold eyes were unexpectedly gentle tonight.

‎Dear wife.

‎He had never called me that before.

‎The words felt strangely unfamiliar... yet carried a warmth I had secretly longed for.

‎My chest tightened, and the tip of my nose stung.

‎Alexander took the bouquet from my trembling hands and set it aside.

‎"Sit."

‎He pulled out a chair for me and helped me sit down before taking the seat across from me.

‎The dishes had already been prepared, each one beautifully plated.

‎I forced myself to smile.

‎"When did you make the reservation?"

‎"A week ago."

‎A week ago.

‎That meant he had remembered.

‎"Do you like this place?" he asked.

‎"It’s beautiful."

‎His gaze softened slightly.

‎Then he reached for something on the table and placed a square lacquered box in front of me.

‎"I have a gift for you."

‎The box was exquisite—painted deep red with delicate carved patterns.

‎About the size of a bracelet case.

‎"Open it," he said. "See if you like it."

‎I slowly lifted the lid.

‎Inside lay an emerald bracelet, its translucent green stones glowing softly against a pale blue setting.

‎My fingers froze.

‎It looked painfully familiar.

‎Almost identical to the bracelet Alexander had bought at the jewelry store before Grandma’s birthday.

‎No...

‎It couldn’t be the same one.

‎He wouldn’t take this from Lilian and give it to me.

‎...Would he?

‎The warmth that had just filled my chest cooled in an instant.

‎Alexander noticed my expression.

‎His hand paused.

‎"Don’t you like it?"

‎He closed the lid gently and pushed the box a little closer.

‎"Try it on."

‎"I’ll wear it when we get home," I replied softly.

‎Perhaps it had cost a fortune.

‎Perhaps he had chosen it carefully.

‎Perhaps he truly believed he was making me happy.

‎But from the very beginning—

‎he had gone in the wrong direction.

‎I didn’t want a bracelet like this.

‎In truth...

‎I didn’t want it at all.

The bracelet wasn’t meant for me, so I wanted nothing that reminded me of it.

‎But perhaps that was simply my fate—

‎always living in Lilian’s shadow.

‎I would always have to wait until she had something first before I could receive what was left behind.

‎My thoughts drifted to the delicate ring I had seen earlier in the car.

‎It wasn’t for me... was it?

‎Maybe it was for Lilian’s birthday.

‎So, was Alexander planning to finish this romantic dinner with me... only to go meet Lilian afterward?

‎He truly did keep himself busy.

‎After a moment of hesitation, I looked up at him.

‎"I saw a ring in your car earlier," I said lightly. "It was delicate and beautiful. I really liked it. Could you give it to me?"

‎We had been married for two years.

Yet we didn’t even have wedding rings.

Once, I had secretly bought a matching pair.

I wore mine to work, full of hope.

But Alexander refused to wear his.

He said if both of us wore matching rings, people would notice.

Back then, I had foolishly replied, If only one person wears it, no one will pay attention.

So I took mine off.

But he never wore his either.

He simply didn’t want to.

In the end, one ring was lost.

The other remained forgotten in a drawer.

"That ring was custom-made," Alexander said calmly. "If you like it, I can ask the designer to make one for you."

I smiled faintly and looked straight into his eyes.

"Why make another one for me?"

My fingers tightened around the wineglass.

"Why not give me that one, and have the designer make another for whoever it was meant for?"....