Chapter 2

Suddenly, some old memories flashed in my mind.

When I was nine years old, I was kidnapped and brutally beaten.

Someone had saved me. Before passing out, I remember falling into a warm embrace, my hand clutching a lily-of-the-valley bracelet.

When I woke up, Ethan was the only one beside my hospital bed. I assumed he was my savior.

Out of gratitude, I chased him for ten years, never regretting a single moment.

Eventually, my crush became public knowledge, but he never gave me an answer.

Finally, I woke up, gave up on that dead-end love, and chose to find myself.

That was when Julian, who had just returned from England, began showing up everywhere in my life, pursuing me fiercely.

I had been in danger a few times over those years, and he had always thrown himself in harm's way to protect me, saving me far more times than Ethan ever did.

I was afraid I was just acting out of gratitude, so I hesitated to accept him.

Until one night, Julian played "A Maiden’s Prayer" on the piano for me—a song he had spent months learning.

It was my favorite piece, but I could never play it again because my right wrist had been shattered years ago.

Julian’s eyes shone with a brilliant light as he looked at me.

"Chloe, I want to protect your dreams. Give me a chance to love you, okay?"

At that moment, my heart raced. I knew I had genuinely fallen for him.

So, I said yes.

I fell deep into the warm trap he had woven with lies, clearing out my entire heart just to make room for him.

While I was dreaming of our sweet, eternal future, he was standing behind me, stabbing me repeatedly until my heart was a bloody mess, leaving my entire body cold and paralyzed.

My nose stung, and my eyes burned with unshed tears.

I watched as Melody stood on her tiptoes to kiss Julian passionately.

"I promise you, Julian. Because I love you, I believe your promise. And I am willing to say yes to you here in my hometown."

Julian smiled and deepened the kiss. The crowd clapped and cheered.

I remembered then—Savannah was the city where Melody had grown up.

A sudden surge of anger made my chest tighten.

Tears slipped down my face, but I wiped them away instantly.

Julian, you wanted to see me broken and devastated because of my unrequited love, right?

Fine. I'll give you exactly what you want.