In the elevator, I watched the numbers on the digital display climb higher and higher, my heartbeat rising with them.

Unfortunately, when the doors slid open, I ran into one of Simon’s buddies.

The moment he saw me, his face lit up with surprise and excitement.

"Chloe?! You’re here to see Simon, aren’t you?"

Reeking of alcohol, he could not walk straight, but his grip was ridiculously strong.

No matter what I said or how I resisted, he forcefully dragged me into the private lounge ahead.

Inside, the room was drenched in neon lights and the thick scent of alcohol.

The moment I stepped in, I heard Simon’s voice.

"Yeah, Chloe’s pretty, but she’s nothing special. If she weren’t so obedient and easy to handle, I would’ve dumped her a long time ago."

Laughter erupted around him.

A girl was straddling Simon’s lap, her arms wrapped around his neck as she fed him cherries from her fingers. They almost kissed.

Then, she saw me.

The room went dead silent.

Even she froze in place.

The suffocating tension lingered until Simon’s buddy finally broke it.

"I knew it! Chloe was bound to come crawling back to beg for forgiveness!"

"And look at her—all dressed up just for Simon. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is!"

The man who had dragged me in seized the moment, giving me a shove forward.

"Chloe, don’t get me wrong. Women are practically lining up for a guy like Simon. If you don’t hold onto him now, someone else will, and you’ll regret it.

"I’m just looking out for you. With what you’ve got going for you right now, you’ll never find a man better than Simon. You should be grateful."

Around the room, knowing glances were exchanged. Everyone was sneering.

They were all waiting for me to break down in tears and beg Simon to take me back.

Simon kept his hand on the girl’s body, idly stroking her, but his gaze was fixed on me, amusement flickering in his eyes.

"Chloe, stop playing these boring little games. I don’t have the patience to humor you every time. This time, I’ll let it slide. But don’t pull this stunt again. Understood?"

He casually nudged the girl off his lap, dismissing her like a pet.

Then, with the same arrogance, he crooked a finger at me. "Come here."

His eyes flicked toward his lap, making it clear what he expected. His voice was as condescending as ever.

"Pour me a drink, Chloe. Consider it an apology, and we’ll call it even."

The room erupted in cheers.

"Come on, Chloe, Simon’s giving you an easy way out. Just take it."

"Yeah! And don’t forget—three shots as a penalty!"

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, I stepped forward, picked up a glass of beer from the table and threw it straight into Simon’s face.

The liquid soaked his hair, strands clinging to his forehead.

His eyes squeezed shut from the sudden impact, but after a brief pause, they snapped open.

Silence crashed over the room.

The dim lights flickered weakly above, struggling like a breath on its last legs.

Simon clenched his teeth, his jaw tight as he glared at me.

I met his stare without a trace of emotion.

"Are you sober now, Simon? It appears you didn’t hear me clearly that night, so let me say it again, in front of everyone.

"Simon, we’re done."

I didn’t wait for a reaction.

I turned and walked out the door.

One of Simon’s friends couldn’t hold back and asked, “Simon, you’re really not going after her? She seemed serious this time.”

Simon kicked over the coffee table, sending fruit platters and glasses shattering to the floor.

“You think I’d go after her? Ha! As if she’s worth it. I’d love to see what Chloe amounts to without me.”

…

That night, around a dozen of our old high school classmates gathered for the reunion.

It had been years since we last saw each other, and the drinks flowed freely as laughter and conversation filled the air.

The class president had always been close to Noah back in school.

He told me that Noah came tonight just for me.

"Chloe, we all thought you two would end up together after graduation. Who could’ve guessed his biological parents would suddenly show up and take him overseas?"

That was the year I found out the truth.

The same Noah I grew up with—the boy who ate plain bread and pickled vegetables with me in our small rural town, who never had a decent winter coat and was always mistaken for a street beggar—turned out to be the long-lost heir of a wealthy family.

Just then, the door swung open, and Noah walked in.

All eyes turned toward him in an instant.

I glanced back.

He stood taller than the crowd, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal-gray suit.

Having broad shoulders and a lean waist, he looked like he had stepped straight off the cover of a high-end magazine.

"Well, well, if it isn’t our very own Noah Wells. It’s been years, and you finally decided to show up."

"Noah, you’re late. That means you owe us a few extra drinks tonight."

He greeted everyone politely. "Of course."

At the same time, his gaze drifted through the room until it locked onto me.

The moment our eyes met, my heart pounded so hard it felt like it might break free from my chest.

…

During the second half of the reunion, I stepped out of the restroom only to be yanked into the dimly lit stairwell.

The space was narrow, the air thick with the scent of alcohol clinging to Noah.

"Why haven’t you answered my messages?"

I looked away. "Work’s been busy. I forgot."

"You're lying."

His breath was hot against my skin, his gaze burning with frustration.

"Chloe, why didn’t you tell me my mother came to see you two years ago?"

The truth was, she had.

Two years ago, Noah’s mother sought me out.

She told me he was already engaged.

His fiancée was a graduate of Royal West College, a prestigious university, and came from a wealthy family, someone who was perfectly suited for Noah.

His mother even showed me their photos together.

The girl stood beside Noah, her smile warm and radiant.

They looked perfect together.

"I never planned on marrying her," Noah said, his grip tightening around my wrist, pinning it in place.

"This time, I came back ready to risk everything. No one can keep us apart anymore."

His breath hitched as his fingers slid to my jaw, pressing firmly.

"So, Chloe… Break up with Simon and come back to me."

My lashes fluttered, my eyes widening in surprise.

Then, Noah forced my jaw open, his tongue claiming me in a searing kiss, as if determined to erase any trace of another man.

…

After that night, Noah started showing up at my office every day with roses—each time in a different color.

He was always there, waiting to take me home.

Tonight, I left work later than usual, still finishing up a few tasks.

Through the glass doors, I saw him leaning casually against his car, a bouquet of blue roses in hand.

Dressed in a fitted black trench coat, the sharp cut of the fabric framed his broad shoulders and lean waist effortlessly.

I couldn’t help but quicken my pace, a smile spreading across my face as I ran toward Noah.

As always, no matter how many people were watching, he opened his arms the moment he saw me, laughing as he pulled me into his embrace.

I took the flowers from his hands and brought them to my nose, inhaling softly. "Hmm, not as fragrant as yesterday’s pink roses."

Noah playfully pinched the tip of my nose. "You’re getting pickier by the day."

He walked me to the car, opening the door himself and placing a hand over the top to shield my head. "Get in, my lady. Tonight, I’m taking you for fine dining."

Hugging the bouquet, I slid into the passenger seat with a grin.

"Then I’ll make sure to eat my fill."

What I didn’t expect was to run into Simon at the restaurant.

…

Halfway through dinner, Noah stepped outside to take a call.

I was scrolling through my phone when I suddenly heard a familiar, mocking voice.

"No way, Chloe—did you find out I was coming here tonight and deliberately wait for me?"

I looked up.

Simon stood in front of me with his arm wrapped around a girl in a cropped top.

They had just arrived, with a server leading the way.

The girl clung to Simon and pouted. "Who’s she?"

Chewing gum, Simon smirked, his usual careless demeanor on full display.

"Just an ex from some backwater town who likes to act all high and mighty."

The girl covered her mouth and giggled before turning to the server.

"I thought this was supposed to be the most exclusive restaurant in town, only open to elite members. Since when did they start letting just anyone walk in?"

Her gaze drifted to my table, eyeing the oysters and caviar.

She leaned into Simon and whispered, "That must’ve cost a fortune."

Simon tilted his head and lazily reminded the server, "You might want to keep an eye on this one. She’s from the countryside—first time in a place like this. Wouldn’t be surprised if she tried to dine and dash."

The young server broke into a nervous sweat, caught in an awkward situation.

But I could see right through Simon’s little game.

I set down my utensils, wiped my hands with a warm towel, and calmly said, "Simon, being obnoxious isn’t a survival skill. You don’t need to use me to feel relevant."

The girl scoffed. "Wow, you’re really trying to provoke him just to get his attention, aren’t you?"

It was almost laughable how ridiculous people could be.

The server looked like she was about to step in when Noah returned.

Without a word, he walked straight to my side.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored dark suit, the sharp lines accentuated his broad shoulders and lean waist.

Noah looked down at Simon with an air of quiet authority, his voice low and icy.

"Just because you have some money in your pocket and a bit of fame, you think that gives you the right to trample on other people’s dignity?

"Mr. Jones, do you really think acting like this makes you impressive?"

Simon swept his gaze over Noah from head to toe, his eyes filled with nothing but mockery and disdain.

"And who are you?"

I stood up from my seat, casually linking my arm through Noah’s.

With a smile, I looked straight at Simon.

"Let me formally introduce you—He’s Noah Wells, my boyfriend."

Simon’s expression instantly darkened.

His eyes locked onto our intertwined fingers, and for a moment, hesitation flickered across his face.

However, that hesitation was quickly drowned by a wave of anger that spread through him like wildfire.

"I should’ve known, Chloe. You spent all this time following me around like a lapdog, and now, all of a sudden, you’ve grown a spine?"

His gaze turned sharp as he glared at Noah. "How long have you even known this pretty boy? You’re dumping me for him?"

Noah cut him off before he could finish.

"I’m Chloe’s first love."

It was as if an invisible force had sucked the air from the room, making every breath feel heavy and slow.

Simon’s lips pressed into a tight, thin line.

Something clicked in his mind, and his entire expression shifted.

He finally understood.

The way he looked at me now—it was pure, unfiltered rage, as if he wanted to tear me apart.

Just then, a group of security guards strode in from outside.

They lined up neatly, their presence imposing.

Then, in perfect unison, they dipped their heads respectfully toward Noah.

"Mr. Wells."

The room fell silent.

Even Simon and those around him looked stunned.

And for a moment, even I was caught off guard.

Noah pulled me into his arms, his grip firm, his gaze icy as he stared Simon down.

It was a silent declaration of ownership.

"Throw these two out.”

"Yes, sir."

The security guards surged forward.

Simon had never been humiliated like this before.

He pointed a finger at them, his tone laced with fury.

"You guys dare lay a hand on me? Go ahead, try it!"

The girl clung to Simon’s back, trembling, but still managed to put on a defiant front.

"Do you even know who he is? He’s Simon Jones, a famous artist, a big name in the industry! If you touch him, I guarantee you’ll be all over the news tomorrow, getting dragged through the mud!"