Chapter 1 · My Money, His Proposal

Elijah Smith and I built our company from the ground up. We finally made it to the IPO bell.

But at the celebration party, what slipped out of his suit's inner pocket was a proposal ring meant for someone else.

While he was busy comforting his crying dream girl, I tore up our ten-year engagement with my own hands.

"Bella, come back. I'll give you everything," he pleaded.

I just smiled, steadying myself on the arm of the man beside me. "Mr. Smith, the sun's up. Time to wake from the dream."

*****

Day 37 after the company's successful funding round. Celebration party.

Elijah, as the founder, stood in the spotlight, radiating triumph.

I held a wine glass, smiling in response to the crowd.

Until he turned to pour a drink for an investor beside him, a small velvet box slid from his unbuttoned suit pocket.

Clink.

A soft sound as it landed by my feet.

The box popped open. A brilliant platinum diamond ring rolled out, chiming faintly against the polished floor before coming to a stop.

It wasn't the design I'd circled in the catalog a few days ago.

I recognized it. It was Cartier's hottest "confession" piece this year, called the "Only One."

The air froze.

Every eye locked onto the ring, then snapped to me.

Elijah's face changed. He instinctively bent to pick it up.

I was faster.

I picked up the ring. Its cold touch stung my numb fingers.

I held it out to him.

His Adam's apple bobbed, but no words came out.

Ten years. I knew him too well.

He couldn't even muster a hollow "It's not what you think."

Then, a fragile, tearful voice broke the silence. "Elijah..."

The crowd parted.

There stood Sofia Morrison, in a white evening gown, eyes shimmering with tears.

She stared fixedly at the ring in my hand, her lips pressed pale.

The answer was clear.

The guests' whispers washed over me like a tide.

"So Mr. Smith's heart belongs to Sofia..."

"I always thought he and Isabella were a sure thing."

"Poor Isabella. Put in ten hard years only to pave the way for someone else."

I smiled and placed the ring on the table before him. "Elijah. We're done."

"Fine."

I turned and walked away without a second glance.

Behind me were Sofia's choked sobs and Elijah's soft, comforting murmurs.

He didn't come after me.

Not once did he look back.

Stepping out of the glittering banquet hall, cold wind rushed into my gown.

That was when I realized my whole body was trembling.

It was just as cold that winter night ten years ago.

We were squeezed into a $100-a-month rental. The company account had only $70 left, not even enough for next month's rent.

Elijah, burning with fever, curled on the floor, gripping my hand, mumbling a promise in his delirium. "Bella, as long as the company survives, the place by my side will always be yours."

I believed him.

For that promise, I survived on instant noodles with him for three years, drank until my stomach bled to secure investments, and camped outside a key engineer's door for three days.

We grew that tiny workshop into today's multi-billion-dollar industry darling.

Everyone called me Elijah's supportive partner, the company's stabilizing force.

But they didn't know.

From the day the company found its footing, Elijah came home to us later and later.

He was always "busy," always with "clients."

Turns out, he was busy comforting his real "Only One."

A black Bentley glided silently to a stop before me. The window lowered, revealing a handsome, aloof face.

"Miss Carter." It was Henry Wilson.

Elijah's biggest rival in business, and also one of tonight's investors.

He offered a handkerchief, his voice low. "Need a ride?"

In my most humiliating moment, abandoned by my fiancé, the one offering help was his enemy.

I didn't take the handkerchief. I just opened the car door and got in. "Thank you, Mr. Wilson. Grandview Gardens, please."

That was the home Elijah and I had shared for five years.

The car was quiet, only the sound of steady breathing.

Henry didn't ask questions, just drove in silence, letting my tense nerves relax slightly.

"How did you and Elijah get together?" he asked.

Chapter 1

Elijah Smith and I built our company from the ground up. We finally made it to the IPO bell.

But at the celebration party, what slipped out of his suit's inner pocket was a proposal ring meant for someone else.

While he was busy comforting his crying dream girl, I tore up our ten-year engagement with my own hands.

"Bella, come back. I'll give you everything," he pleaded.

I just smiled, steadying myself on the arm of the man beside me. "Mr. Smith, the sun's up. Time to wake from the dream."

*****

Day 37 after the company's successful funding round. Celebration party.

Elijah, as the founder, stood in the spotlight, radiating triumph.

I held a wine glass, smiling in response to the crowd.

Until he turned to pour a drink for an investor beside him, a small velvet box slid from his unbuttoned suit pocket.

Clink.

A soft sound as it landed by my feet.

The box popped open. A brilliant platinum diamond ring rolled out, chiming faintly against the polished floor before coming to a stop.

It wasn't the design I'd circled in the catalog a few days ago.

I recognized it. It was Cartier's hottest "confession" piece this year, called the "Only One."

The air froze.

Every eye locked onto the ring, then snapped to me.

Elijah's face changed. He instinctively bent to pick it up.

I was faster.

I picked up the ring. Its cold touch stung my numb fingers.

I held it out to him.

His Adam's apple bobbed, but no words came out.

Ten years. I knew him too well.

He couldn't even muster a hollow "It's not what you think."

Then, a fragile, tearful voice broke the silence. "Elijah..."

The crowd parted.

There stood Sofia Morrison, in a white evening gown, eyes shimmering with tears.

She stared fixedly at the ring in my hand, her lips pressed pale.

The answer was clear.

The guests' whispers washed over me like a tide.

"So Mr. Smith's heart belongs to Sofia..."

"I always thought he and Isabella were a sure thing."

"Poor Isabella. Put in ten hard years only to pave the way for someone else."

I smiled and placed the ring on the table before him. "Elijah. We're done."

"Fine."

I turned and walked away without a second glance.

Behind me were Sofia's choked sobs and Elijah's soft, comforting murmurs.

He didn't come after me.

Not once did he look back.

Stepping out of the glittering banquet hall, cold wind rushed into my gown.

That was when I realized my whole body was trembling.

It was just as cold that winter night ten years ago.

We were squeezed into a $100-a-month rental. The company account had only $70 left, not even enough for next month's rent.

Elijah, burning with fever, curled on the floor, gripping my hand, mumbling a promise in his delirium. "Bella, as long as the company survives, the place by my side will always be yours."

I believed him.

For that promise, I survived on instant noodles with him for three years, drank until my stomach bled to secure investments, and camped outside a key engineer's door for three days.

We grew that tiny workshop into today's multi-billion-dollar industry darling.

Everyone called me Elijah's supportive partner, the company's stabilizing force.

But they didn't know.

From the day the company found its footing, Elijah came home to us later and later.

He was always "busy," always with "clients."

Turns out, he was busy comforting his real "Only One."

A black Bentley glided silently to a stop before me. The window lowered, revealing a handsome, aloof face.

"Miss Carter." It was Henry Wilson.

Elijah's biggest rival in business, and also one of tonight's investors.

He offered a handkerchief, his voice low. "Need a ride?"

In my most humiliating moment, abandoned by my fiancé, the one offering help was his enemy.

I didn't take the handkerchief. I just opened the car door and got in. "Thank you, Mr. Wilson. Grandview Gardens, please."

That was the home Elijah and I had shared for five years.

The car was quiet, only the sound of steady breathing.

Henry didn't ask questions, just drove in silence, letting my tense nerves relax slightly.

"How did you and Elijah get together?" he asked.