Chapter 2

The breakdown Claire and Adrian had expected never came. Instead, I was calm beyond their expectations.

I didn’t cry, make a scene, or even argue. I simply stared at Claire, utterly still and emotionless.

Everyone knew that I loved Claire more than life itself and had given up everything for her.

Before meeting her, I had been a gifted painter who freely poured his talent onto the canvas.

My paintings could touch people’s hearts. They were my way of speaking to the world and an outlet for the emotions inside me.

But everything quietly changed the moment I met Claire.

Back then, Claire had been an ordinary employee at the company, but her smile and the warmth in her eyes gave me a sense of comfort and security I had never known before.

For her, I was willing to give up everything, including the art world that had once made me shine.

My family’s opposition came like a raging storm. They couldn’t understand why I would give up the artistic legacy passed down through our family for an ordinary woman.

But in my heart, Claire was the person worth giving everything for.

So I decisively cut ties with my family just so I could stay with her.

During those days, we relied on each other to survive. Life was difficult, but we were happy.

I devoted myself to taking care of her and staying by her side, trying to use my love to build a solid shelter around her and give her a sense of security she had never experienced before.

With my support, Claire also bravely embarked on the path of entrepreneurship.

Her company grew from nothing into a thriving business and eventually reached the height of its success.

I was proud of her, and I was comforted by the thought that I had been able to accompany her through that difficult journey.

But as Claire’s career flourished, our relationship quietly began to change.

She became busy, often working late into the night and having no time for me even on weekends.

I tried to understand how hard she was working and gave her plenty of space and support.

But little by little, I realized there seemed to be someone else in her heart.

At first, Claire would casually praise Adrian’s talent and promising future in front of me.

“Adrian, the new guy at the company, is really capable. We have so much to talk about. We’re going to work together perfectly.”

I didn’t think much of it, assuming she was simply praising an outstanding colleague.

But as time passed, she began comparing me with Adrian more and more often. Her words revealed her admiration and infatuation with him.

My heart sank, and an ominous feeling rose within me.

Finally, I noticed that Claire had begun staying late with Adrian on a regular basis. They even started going out together on weekends.

The smile that had once belonged only to me now appeared more often in front of Adrian.

I had protested and made a scene, but all I received in return was Claire’s annoyance.

“Can’t you be more understanding? I’m just doing my job. I only think of Adrian as a younger brother.”

“Stop being unreasonable. I’m exhausted. Ethan, your love is too selfish!”

I knew her heart no longer belonged entirely to me.

Facing all of this, I felt more pain and confusion than ever before.

I even began to question myself. Was I not good enough? Was I really inferior to Adrian?

I had tried everything to win Claire back, but the absurdity at today’s banquet suddenly woke me up. I had been a fool.

This relationship had stopped being worth saving long ago.

Claire clearly hadn’t expected me to react so calmly. She asked again in disbelief:

“What did you say?”

I adjusted my posture, sat up straight, and spoke seriously yet distantly.

“I said I was wrong.”

“I was wrong to abandon everything to love you, and wrong to try to win back a heart that no longer loved me.”

“Loving you was my mistake. Going against my family to be with you was another mistake. But now, I’ve decided to cut my losses.”

Under Claire’s disbelieving stare, I said the words aloud.

“Claire, let’s get divorced.”

The paper bag fell from Claire’s hand onto the floor.