Chapter 1

After I helped my boyfriend, Yosef Johnson, become the CEO of a listed company, women were constantly throwing themselves at him.

But he never touched anyone but me.

That was because I'd warned, "Cheat once, and I'm gone for good."

Yosef'd just laughed, "Try running. I'll lock down every airport and train station. As long as you're still Yvonne Sheppard, you're not going anywhere."

Everyone thought I was living the dream. But on our anniversary, everything fell apart.

That day, Yosef came home commando, and a box of strawberry-flavored condoms slipped out of his pocket.

He smugly claimed he'd just picked up Rosalie Lynch—his first love—insisting he hadn't done anything wrong.

At that moment, I knew the man I'd loved for years was gone.

I walked away silently, disappearing from his life forever.

*****

On Christmas Eve, Yosef ditched me by the freezing river to keep Rosalie happy.

I was shivering so hard my whole body was convulsing, while he wrapped his coat around her and held her close.

He sneered at me, "Yvonne, you're not going to freeze to death. Stop acting like a spoiled princess."

Shivering, I staggered back home, and the lights inside were still glowing warmly.

My lips were dark and purple, my body so numb from the icy wind that I couldn't even push the door open.

Through the glass, I saw Yosef and Rosalie, all cozy and laughing, enjoying a barbecue under the soft yellow lights.

I struggled to press the doorbell, my fingers barely responding.

After a long while, Yosef came out with a deep frown, clearly annoyed.

He started yelling at me, "Yvonne, you finally bothered to come back? Was sulking over Rosalie really worth turning yourself into this mess?"

I was shivering so hard I couldn't even get a word out.

But to Yosef, it just looked like I was being stubborn and refusing to back down.

He grabbed my wrist and dragged me inside, tossing me onto the couch.

"Drop the princess act. This isn't the place for your tantrums," he snapped.

I sat there, watching quietly as they moved around in the dining room.

Rosalie was fumbling with the food on the barbecue grill, and Yosef, sleeves rolled up, was patiently guiding her.

Rosalie pouted, letting out a sigh, "Yosef, I'm so clumsy. I just can't pick it up."

Yosef pinched her cheek gently and said in a soft voice, "It's fine, Rosalie. With me here, you don't need to lift a finger."

Every so often, their laughter and playful teasing echoed from the dining room, steam swirling in the air. Yosef would even lean over to wipe off a spot on her cheek with careful attention.

At midnight, fireworks burst outside, their brilliant colors lighting up the sky.

Yosef, eyes sparkling with excitement, scooped Rosalie into his arms and ran out to the terrace. "Merry Christmas, Rosalie!"

He was as innocent as a child, closing his eyes and making a wish under the fireworks. "I hope Rosalie will always stay by my side. I hope she never has to suffer again."

I'd never seen Yosef like this before, so alive, so down-to-earth, so real.

In all my memories, he was always like the moon high above, cold, out of reach, and impossible to get close to.

Everyone said I was the one he spoiled the most.

He'd drop crazy money on me, buying the fanciest watches, and when I wanted to watch some old movie in the middle of the night, he'd have someone track down a projector and the film for me.

But he never did anything for me himself, and he'd never mess around or have fun with me like this.

So I'd always thought he was aloof and reserved.

But ever since Rosalie showed up, it was like he'd turned into a completely different person.

He was sunny and gentle, in a way I'd never seen before.

That sour ache in my chest surged like a tide, making my eyes sting with tears.

Cooking a meal with the one I loved was something I'd always dreamed of.

But now, he was giving that dream to someone else.

The soft heat from the air conditioner helped me warm up a little.

I took a deep breath, grabbed my phone, and dialed my mom.

"Mom, I was wrong. He's nothing like Yannis," I admitted softly.

Instantly, my mom knew exactly what was up.

"Yvonne, you really should've listened to me. Yosef's just an ungrateful brat, no matter how much you give, he'll never appreciate it," she sighed.

After a pause, she tried to lift my spirits. "Once Christmas is over, just swallow your pride and go talk to Yannis. He'll come back for sure. Maria's still hoping you'll end up as her daughter-in-law, you know."

I sniffled, my eyes filling with tears.

"Mom, I've made up my mind. I'm going to go back to Yannis and apologize. I won't act childish with him anymore," I said softly.

My mom was delighted. "That's my good girl. Maria and I are both waiting for you to bring him back."

After hanging up, I headed back to my room and started packing up.

I looked around, feeling lost, unable to figure out where to start.

On the bedside table was a photo of the three of us: me, Yosef, and his grandpa Matthew, the only family he had left.

Remembering how good Matthew had always been to me, I decided to see him one last time.

It was time to say a proper goodbye.