Chapter 1

My boyfriend Raymond Wallace asked me out to see the Silver Veil on Serphira Island.

He planned it for the day of our seventh anniversary.

But the night before we were supposed to leave, he called to tell me we had to cancel the tickets.

"Giselle's ex is harassing her, and she's on the verge of a breakdown. I need to be there for her," he said.

Giselle Gibson was his junior, the girl he'd always sigh over and say, "Poor thing."

This was the third time he'd broken an important promise to me because of Giselle.

This time, I didn't freak out like I did before. I just asked quietly, "Raymond, let's break up."

He gave an impatient laugh on the other end, with the rowdy karaoke bar noise blaring in the background.

"Natalie, can you not make a fuss? This is serious, someone's life is at stake. Can't you just be a little more understanding?" he said.

"Be good, just cancel the tickets. Next year, I'll take you again. I swear it'll be even more romantic," he added.

I didn't cancel the tickets.

The next day, I hauled my suitcase onto a flight to Fuzhou, all alone.

He had no idea that this time, I was dead set on breaking up with him.

As for those legendary Silver Veil, sparkling like a galaxy, I didn't need him by my side anymore.

Someone out there would chase the stars across the sea for me.

Raymond called just as I was stuffing my last flowy blue dress, the one with that wind-blown watercolor vibe, into my suitcase.

The weather and tide reports said the next few days would be the perfect window to catch the Silver Veil on Serphira Island.

Growing up as an art student in a landlocked city, I'd sketched that glowing sea on my canvas a thousand times, always longing to see it in person.

When Raymond found out, he'd tap my nose with a playful smile and promise, "When our seventh anniversary comes, I'll take you there."

"They say couples who see the Silver Veil together will have a love that never fades, just like that glowing sea," he said, the smile in his eyes brighter than the starlight itself.

So, three months ahead of time, we booked our flights and snagged a seaview guesthouse right on the beach.

I scrolled through every travel blog and guide, plotted out a super detailed itinerary, down to every photogenic rock and the perfect time to snap a pic.

To nail those Insta-worthy shots, I got myself a new camera lens, prepped a whole lineup of white dresses, straw hats, beach sandals... I even practiced my dramatic beach run-and-turn pose in front of the mirror, over and over.

Even my roommates could feel how hyped I was and couldn't help teasing me about it.

"Natalie, are you gonna be too excited to sleep tonight?" one of them joked.

Just as I was about to laugh and reply, my phone started ringing. Raymond's name lit up the screen.

I couldn't wait to show off everything I'd planned. "I've rented a car, and I even found a local guide who promised he'd show us the absolute best place to catch the Silver Veil..."

But before I could finish, he cut in, sounding totally cold. "Natalie, just cancel the tickets. We're not going to Serphira Island after all."

My heart just crashed, like someone dumped me in an ice bath. I stammered, "Why?"

"Giselle's ex, the guy with all the problems, has been harassing her again. He even sent her some creepy threats. She's locked herself in her dorm, totally freaked out. I need to go see her," he said.

I blurted out, "She could just call the police, or talk to her counselor."

"What's the point? He hasn't actually done anything to her. At most, the cops would just give him a warning. She's just a girl, and she's way too timid. What if that guy comes after her for it?" he said.

I could hear him lighting a cigarette on the other end, his voice a little muffled. "Natalie, you're always the sweetest. I know you'll understand, right?"

"Besides, I'm just doing the right thing here. You should be proud of me for that," he added.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, straw hat on, my face practically glowing with excitement, and suddenly, it all felt like a cruel joke.

This was already the third time Raymond had stood me up for Giselle.

Raymond and I were high school sweethearts, each other's first love. We'd been together for seven whole years.

For all those years, we were the couple everyone envied.

He knew all my quirks, always had hot cocoa ready when I wasn't feeling well, and would quietly stay by my side whenever I was struggling with my art.

After we got into college, even though we were on different campuses, we'd video call every single day, no matter what.

We used to walk hand in hand through every corner of campus, planning to get married as soon as we graduated.

Everyone thought we'd end up together in the end.