“Why are we here? Didn’t you once say only childish people come to places like this?”

Claudette remembered all too well the last time she had begged Keiran to visit the amusement park. He had looked at her with disdain, mocking the idea as something beneath him. He hadn’t even bothered to enjoy himself, and after a few quick photos, they had left.

Keiran’s smile was playful, almost mischievous. “I’ll always be a kid at heart when I’m with you, Claude. So, I think I’m more than qualified to bring you here.”

In response, Claudette caught Keiran's smile, offering only a faint curve of her lips. In the past, she would have been swept away by it, but now it barely touched her. Her nod was almost mechanical, as though she were going through the motions.

Keiran bought tickets and led her to the Ferris wheel, his hand guiding her like it had so many times before. As others screamed in delight, clutching their boyfriends in excitement, Claudette sat still, savoring the peaceful thrill of the height, her gaze fixed on the horizon. At the top, Keiran turned her face toward him, and their lips met in a strangely distant kiss.

Whispers floated through the air around them. People gazed at Keiran, amazed by how romantic he was compared to their own boyfriends.

“Claudette, I love you!”

But Claudette didn’t react as Keiran had hoped. He squeezed her hand tightly, attempting to play it off with a grin. “Aren’t you happy? You once told me that if two people kiss at the top of the Ferris wheel, they’ll be together forever.”

Claudette’s lips barely moved as she responded. “That’s just a fairy tale for kids. Don’t believe in it.”

Keiran wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “Are you upset because I haven’t been spending enough time with you? We’ll always be together, won’t we?”

Claudette remained silent, and Keiran grew increasingly anxious, his need for reassurance growing with every passing second. “Right?”

In an attempt to coax her into a response, he playfully nipped at her neck, his teasing tone laced with a hint of frustration. “Take off the last word.”

It was as if he couldn’t rest until she gave him that final “right?”

“Okay, yes.”

Only then did Keiran release her, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

Countdown: The Last Day.

Today was Claudette's birthday, and Keiran had spared no expense in organizing a lavish celebration for her. The entire city knew that the CEO of Harris Corporation had an adored girlfriend, someone he had cherished for years, and women everywhere envied Claudette for it.

Keiran kept her by his side as if his grip on her would somehow prevent her from slipping away. But lately, he couldn’t ignore the coldness that had begun to creep between them. She seemed to show more warmth to a neighbor than to him, and the realization stirred a deep unease and fear within him.

Determined to prove to the world that they were the perfect couple, he seized this moment to solidify their image.

After the party, Claudette checked her phone. She found a series of angry messages from Corinne, each laced with mocking words and accusations that Keiran truly loved her instead.

For the first time, Claudette responded with a single line.

[If he loves you so much, then let him make it official. Have him let you stand by his side openly, like at today’s birthday party.]

Her words struck a chord with Corinne. [Just wait. I’ll show you who Keiran values more, me or you, and make you give up once and for all.]

As Claudette started to head upstairs, she caught sight of Keiran rushing down the stairs. She paused, knowing what had just happened; Corinne had messaged him.

“There’s something urgent at the office that I need to handle. I might be late; why don’t you go ahead and sleep, okay?”

“Keiran, I want you here. Didn’t you say you wanted that too?”

Claudette looked into his eyes, eyes she once believed were the purest, most beautiful, now shadowed by the filth of lies.

Keiran hadn’t expected her to respond that way, but he quickly made his choice. “Then wait for me. I’ll be back soon. I promise to make it up to you, Claude.”

He brushed past her without a second thought, oblivious to the deep disappointment in her eyes. Claudette nodded, but just as he turned to leave, she called out to him, her voice soft but firm. “Keiran, no matter what happens, always be honest with the one you love most. Don’t wait until it’s too late, and all you’re left with is regret. Nothing stings more than that.”

Keiran almost turned back, his unease growing with her cryptic words. But the persistent ringing of his phone urged him to keep moving. With a quick nod, he rushed into the elevator.

Claudette watched him leave, her heart turning to stone. The door closed, marking the end of their world together.

“Mr. Collins, be here in thirty minutes!”

Knowing Corinne would call Keiran away, Claudette had already made arrangements for someone to retrieve her last belongings. Before she left, she snapped her SIM card in two and tossed it into the trash by the door.

Goodbye, Keiran.

Goodbye to seven years, and I’ll never get back.

On her 28th birthday, Claudette made a silent wish: “Keiran, I’ll never love you again.”