Chapter 2

I hesitated for a moment before replying.

Winnie: [Thank you! I'll go to the library tomorrow to look for this book.]

I thought this was the end of the conversation.

A private message popped up five minutes later.

Julian: [I took some pictures of the key pages and sent them to you.]

I opened the pictures and saw not just the info I needed, but also a structural diagram with every stress point clearly labeled.

I was so surprised. After typing and deleting a few times in the reply box, I sent just one line.

Winnie: [Thank you! Are you an architecture student too?]

Soon, he replied.

Julian: [I used to be, but now I'm working on something else. But I still like it.]

I was very curious. Maybe because we only knew each other online, I felt less shy, so I asked him straight out.

Winnie: [Why did you give up?]

Julian: [My family needs me to take over other things. How about you? Why are you still doing homework at this hour?]

I hesitated for a moment.

Winnie: [Because I have to go to school during the day and work part-time, I don't have any time.]

As I typed that, I couldn't help but bite my lip.

At that time, I was still the pampered heiress of the Ford family.

My parents, Harrison Ford and Monica Ford, didn't allow me to apply for an architectural design degree.

They arranged business school for me, etiquette classes, and mastering the art of charming smiles at high-society events.

But I didn't want to give up the dream I had always had.

So, to keep it hidden, I had to work secretly to save money and sign up for training courses.

Julian: [You've really been working hard.]

The simple sentence made my nose tingle, and I almost tore up.

We started to keep in touch, and our conversations became more and more frequent.

We talked about architecture, life, and dreams.

He stayed with me all night when I had a cold.

I kept encouraging him when he was down.

Our feelings for each other intertwined as we spent more time together, day and night.

On my 18th birthday, the Ford family held a grand birthday party for me.

The luxurious hall was packed with wealthy elites and socialites.

I was wearing an expensive dress, like a delicate marionette, moving through the crowd.

I smiled, accepting their well-wishes.

Then, when Harrison and Monica were busy discussing business deals with them, I was abandoned in a corner.

No one cared if I was happy.

Halfway through the party, I quietly slipped out into the back garden.

I ducked beneath the rose trellis, found a hidden spot, and took out my phone.

Julian: [Happy birthday!]

Julian: [I got you a present, maybe a little childish.]

A link was attached below.

I clicked it, and a webpage opened.

On the screen, the background was midnight blue, with stars sparkling across.

There was a line of words in the middle of the screen.

It read, "You're my star, and I am a believer who looks up to you forever. Hope your light always be bright."

Staring at that line of words, tears fell on the phone screen before I even realized it.

Every time I saw a happy family of three sitting together with a birthday cake in a restaurant, I couldn't help but pause and secretly take it all in.

Harrison and Monica were busy every day.

For as long as I could remember, it was often just the nanny and me at home.

That was something I never had, so I was very envious.

A question started burning in my mind, eager to get the answer.

All my worries and hesitation disappeared suddenly.

So I sent him a message.

Winnie: [Do you like me?]

He didn't reply immediately.

I stared at my phone screen, my palms sweating from nerves.

My phone rang suddenly. It was him.

I picked it up. And I heard his voice was shaky with nervousness.

He said, "Winnie, I... I like you.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

I agreed without hesitation, "Okay, I will."

My hands were also trembling slightly.

I was afraid that if Harrison and Monica found out, they would put an end to everything.

I told him I wanted to announce our relationship after graduating from college.

I hoped that we could avoid seeing each other during this period.

It was a ridiculous request, but he didn't question it, just agreeing without a second thought.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

And that was how we ended up keeping our relationship under wraps for three years.

He asked me for a photo during our relationship.

For reasons I couldn't even explain, I just couldn't bring myself to send him a real one.

I created a doctored photo with an app and sent it to him.

I didn't really know what was going on in my mind, but there was always a trace of unease in my heart.

I didn't understand the real reason behind my unease until Stella appeared.

Julian's voice was dripping with sarcasm. "Well, looks like I got the wrong person.

"Your proposal is poorly written. Do it again."

Julian's cold voice jerked me back to reality.

He slammed the proposal folder hard on the table, the sharp sound making me wince.

I didn't dare to look up. I just replied obediently, "Yes, Mr. Blake."

Julian got up and left without a word.

The client's rep rushed after Julian.

Brandon lost his temper again and went off on me.

He furiously said the meeting was over.

In order to revise the proposal, I worked overtime until the early morning.

I was the only one left in the company.