The netizens couldn’t hurt me.

Only he could.

In my line of work—with Éclat Beauty and other projects—I had dealt with the media more times than I could count. I knew exactly how this worked.

Most people didn’t think for themselves.

They followed whatever narrative was placed in front of them.

And someone... was working very hard to control that narrative.

Media outlets pushing the story.

Paid trolls amplifying it.

And Sophia—

Driving the knife in deeper.

Because I knew.

She was the only one capable of something like this from the inside.

Everything the public saw was carefully chosen.

Carefully curated.

But the truth?

That was being buried.

Silenced.

I had tried to post a clarification on Twitter.

Three seconds.

That was all it took before it disappeared.

Taken down.

Blocked before it could even spread.

My fingers tightened slightly in my lap.

Because I knew why.

Alexander.

"There’s a candy stall over there. Do you want some?" Aiden’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I blinked, turning toward where he was pointing. A small queue had already formed in front of the stall.

"But... there are quite a lot of people. Someone might recognize you."

"Don’t worry about that," he said casually, already standing up.

I watched as he walked over and joined the line without hesitation.

For a moment, I just sat there.

Then—

A soft voice drifted through the air.

A woman was singing nearby.

"You stayed with me through a summer that never faded,

where even the wind learned your name.

The city was loud,

but somehow... you were louder..."

Her voice wasn’t particularly remarkable.

Her pitch wasn’t perfect either—there was even a trace of laziness in the way she sang.

And yet...

It pierced straight through me.

"You chose to forget—

but I kept everything..."

My vision blurred.

My chest tightened.

All the emotions I had been suppressing the entire day—

No.

For years—

They surged up all at once.

Uncontrollably.

For six years...

I had only ever been a bystander.

Watching him.

From a distance.

From the very beginning—when Alexander was still just an ordinary university student...

To now—

The CEO of Blackwood Dominion Enterprises.

"He was my goal."

The words echoed quietly in my mind.

My light.

My direction.

The only story I had held onto for six years.

I had crawled out of darkness, covered in mud, just to reach him.

Step by step.

With everything I had.

And when I finally did—

For two years of marriage, I gave him everything.

All my love.

All my patience.

All my warmth.

Until there was nothing left of me to give.

"He tried too..."

A bitter thought surfaced.

Yes.

He had tried to be a good husband.

But—

Fake affection...

Could never become real.

Time never waits.

And he...

Had already gone to find the one he truly loved.

Only I...

Stayed where I was.

Like a fool.

Still hoping—

That one day, he might turn back and look at me.

The song continued softly in the background.

"I never really moved on...

I just learned how to pretend..."

A tear finally slipped down my cheek.

Silent.

Unstoppable.

Because deep down—

I had always known the truth.

In his heart...

I was never his wife.

Just something hidden.

Something temporary.

Something—

That was never meant to be seen.

For two years, Alexander had met Lilian again and again.

And not once had he told her he was married.

I have finally understood.

As Lilian once said—in a relationship, the one who is unloved is the mistress.

And in the end...

I had been the one standing in between.

How sweet everything had felt just a few days ago.

And now—

How unbearable it was.

All the kindness he had shown me...

It had only been an act.

A means to an end.

Now I understand.

And I would never be able to trust him again.

Third person POV

A few passersby glanced in Alicia’s direction.

Only then did she realize tears had already slipped down her face.

Startled, she quickly wiped them away, lowering her head—

Just in time before Aiden returned.

"Which one do you prefer?"

His voice came gently as he held out two candy sticks.

Alicia paused briefly before choosing one. "Strawberry... thank you."

"You’re welcome."

Aiden’s gaze lingered on her face.

Her eyes were slightly red.

Swollen.

"...Are you alright?"

"Something got into my eyes," she replied without hesitation.

Aiden didn’t immediately respond.

He knew that wasn’t true.

"...Is it okay now?" he asked instead, his voice softer than before.

"It’s fine. Don’t worry."

"Are you sure?"

"...Mm."

He said nothing more.

But the way his fingers tightened slightly around the candy stick didn’t go unnoticed—at least, not to anyone but himself.

They sat there quietly.

Children ran past them, laughing.

Couples walked by hand in hand.

For a fleeting moment, it almost felt like they had gone back to those simpler days.

Back when nothing was complicated.

Back when nothing hurt this much.

A few people cast curious glances their way.

Aiden had removed his mask, leaving only a cap pulled low over his face.

He noticed.

But he didn’t put it back on.

After finishing their candy, they left the park together.

Not far ahead, Alicia suddenly slowed.

"There’s a café over there... can we stop for lunch?" she asked.

"We were heading to a restaurant anyway," Aiden replied easily. "Let’s go."

Inside the café, they ordered simple food and sat across from each other.

For a brief moment, the atmosphere softened.

It felt familiar.

Almost like the past.

But both of them knew—

Things were no longer the same.

"Since we’re both free today," Aiden said after a while, "why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? My parents have been asking about you ever since I told them we met."

Alicia thought for a moment.

She hadn’t seen them in years.

"...That sounds like a good idea," she agreed.

"Alright. We’ll go after this."

Just then, Alicia’s gaze shifted across the street.

A mall stood directly opposite the café.

A thought crossed her mind.

I should get something for Uncle and Auntie... it wouldn’t feel right showing up empty-handed.

She stood up.

"Where are you going?" Aiden asked.

"There’s something I need to get from the mall across the street."

"I’ll come with you."

She shook her head immediately.

"No. You’ll draw too much attention. I’m already in the spotlight. If someone takes a photo of us together, you’ll get dragged into it too."

To Alicia, it was a simple, practical concern.

Online rumors didn’t truly scare her—she knew how quickly public opinion shifted.

But Aiden was different.

She didn’t want to involve him in something messy.

Aiden fell silent for a brief moment.

He understood her reasoning.

But that didn’t mean he liked it.

"...Then at least let me drive you," he said instead. "I’ll wait in the parking garage."

Alicia hesitated, then nodded.

"Okay."

In the underground garage, the car came to a stop.

"I won’t take long," Alicia said as she stepped out.

Aiden gave a small nod. "I’ll be here."

As she walked away, blending into the crowd heading toward the mall—

Alicia’s thoughts were simple.

I should pick something thoughtful... it’s been so long since I last saw them.

She didn’t notice the way Aiden’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure.

Didn’t notice how long he stayed there—

Watching.

Quiet.

Unmoving.

He had seen the tears she tried so hard to hide.

He had heard every "I’m fine" she didn’t mean.

But in the end—

He said nothing.

Because some distances...

Were not measured in steps.

And some feelings—

Were never meant to be spoken aloud.