Chapter 1

While finalizing the details of our engagement party, Sean Bennett couldn’t take his eyes off his first love's live stream.

Just as I was about to say something, I heard him sigh with helpless indulgence.

"She’s such a handful."

Before I could even process that, he sent a request to join her live stream.

Within seconds, the two of them were flirting on camera while virtual gifts flooded the screen.

I froze in my seat, my fingers clutching the venue proposal so tightly my knuckles turned white.

Ever since Sean agreed to play the role of Stella Vance’s fake boyfriend for social media clout, she had become his top priority in everything.

The event planner gently tapped my arm.

"Chloe... should we reschedule this for another day?"

Sean hadn't looked at me once.

I took a deep breath and stood up calmly.

If I was always going to be the one cast aside in his choices, then I wouldn’t force it anymore.

Seeing me stand up, Sean parted his lips as if to say something.

Just then, Stella’s sweet voice chirped from the phone: "Babe, do you like my dance?"

His attention snapped right back to the screen.

The planner shifted her gaze between us in disbelief.

I watched Sean in total silence.

He was staring at his phone, completely mesmerized, as Stella pouted and begged him to whisper sweet nothings.

I noticed the tips of Sean’s ears turning bright red.

After a long pause, I found my voice and whispered, "Let’s go."

Once we were outside Sean’s office, the planner hesitated.

"Chloe, about Sean..."

"Just stick to what he planned," I cut her off calmly.

"Wait, but don’t you hate the ocean theme...?"

The theme Sean had picked wasn't for me. It was for Stella.

I let out a self-deprecating smirk and didn't bother explaining.

Getting into my car, I slumped over the steering wheel, tears falling before I could stop them.

How many times had this happened?

Ever since Sean agreed to be Stella’s content boyfriend, she was always the first thing on his mind.

I sat in the car for a long time until my phone screen lit up.

It was a text from Sean.

"When did you leave? You didn't even say goodbye."

I clutched my phone, a heavy knot tightening in my chest.

"The planner told me you agreed to the original theme. Why are you always making a fuss? What's wrong with an ocean theme?"

Staring at his words, my tears kept falling.

A year ago, Sean and I had gone out on a boat trip and were caught in a sudden storm.

The boat capsized, and I fell into the churning water while trying to save Sean.

Ever since that day, I had suffered from severe thalassophobia.

I calmed my racing pulse and typed back a few simple words.

"Fine. I won't make a fuss anymore."

Sean replied instantly: "See? Isn't it much better when you're reasonable?"

I laughed bitterly.

Maybe in his heart, a compliant, sweet, clingy girl like Stella was who he really wanted.

I closed the chat and opened TikTok.

Her live stream had just ended.

She was a fairly popular lifestyle influencer, and her team clipped her stream highlights fast.

In the clips, Sean’s eyes were glued to Stella the entire time.

The comments were going crazy over how in love they looked.

Someone asked when they were getting married, and Stella gave a coy reply: "Big news coming soon!"

I clicked into her profile.

Three months ago, she posted a Q&A video answering top follower questions.

One of the questions was: "What’s your dream aesthetic for an engagement party or wedding?"

Her answer: "Definitely an ocean theme. I always dream of being the Little Mermaid lol."

And today, three months later, Sean had delivered it to her on a silver platter.

Sean and I had fought several times because of Stella.

The worst blowout was when he agreed to be her "fake boyfriend."

I couldn’t take it anymore and demanded to know why.

Sean just frowned, annoyed. "Couple accounts get way more followers. I’m just helping her out for a bit. Why are you making such a big deal out of nothing?"

I had stood there, numb.

He called me unreasonable and childish for being jealous, and he gave me the silent treatment for over two weeks.

But I loved him.

So I was the one who caved and apologized.

Little did I know, from that day on, everything went downhill.

After sitting in the silence for a long time, I finally pulled myself together and drove home.