"By the way, make sure you never show up in front of Jennifer."

I finally lifted my eyes to look at the man I had once loved, but now he seemed like a complete stranger.

Unable to bear it any longer, I covered my face and ran out.

There was a park nearby, and I found myself sitting on a bench by the lake, lost in thought.

The reason I fell for Brad was simple. Back in college, I had accidentally slipped and fallen into a lake, and it was he who jumped in to save me.

Wanting to thank him, I invited him to dinner. During the meal, I learned he was actually my senior from my first year of high school.

At the time, he and Jennifer had just broken up. After that, I began pursuing him and quietly stayed by his side.

That quiet devotion stretched into five long years.

Wiping my tears, my gaze was drawn to the shimmering surface of the lake. I stood and walked closer, feeling gusts of wind brushing past me. Suddenly, my wrist was grabbed.

"Faith! Are you out of your mind? Were you really about to jump into the lake because of him?"

Startled, I turned around to see Edgar standing there, panting, his eyes filled with worry.

Just as I was about to explain, he pulled me into his arms, holding me so tightly I could hardly breathe.

Realizing his actions, he quickly let go and awkwardly stepped back to create some distance.

"Although I liked him and was deeply hurt, I’m not at the point where I’d risk my life over him," I explained.

A long silence followed my words.

He eventually asked me about my future plans.

I had come to this city for Brad, but now that we were over, there was nothing left for me here.

I told him I just needed to go home, pack my things, and leave.

"Then I’ll go back with you. I have some documents with him anyway; I’ll take care of it while I’m there," he said.

I nodded, offering no objection.

The car ride was quiet, the silence stretching between us like an invisible barrier.

When we arrived home, I headed to the bedroom and began packing my few belongings.

I stood there staring at the black-and-white wardrobe, lost in thought.

Because Jennifer liked a minimalist style, I had deliberately mimicked her taste, hoping Brad would finally notice me.

Over time, I had completely lost myself.

As I scanned the living room, I carefully separated my things from everything else. While doing so, I accidentally knocked over a photo album.

It fell open, revealing pictures of Brad and Jennifer, their arms around each other, smiling and carefree.

At the very end of the album lay two couple rings, nestled together.

【"My wife will always be you."】

In an instant, all those small moments we’d shared clicked together, and the realization struck me like lightning.

It turns out he didn’t hate taking pictures—he just didn’t want to take them with me.

It turns out he didn’t find wearing a ring inconvenient—he just thought Jennifer deserved to wear it as his wife.

I was nothing more than a passing distraction during his long, empty years.

A flood of grievances and heartbreak surged through me, and I felt the world tilt before I fell into a warm embrace.

Without thinking about my pride, tears streamed down my face, soaking his shirt.

Above me, his gentle voice murmured, "Let it out. Just cry."

I didn’t know how long I stayed there, but eventually, I calmed down. My face flushed, and with red, swollen eyes, I sniffled and mumbled an apology.

As I got up from his arms, a voice cut through the room, sharp and cold.

"What are you doing!"

I spun around, startled. Brad was standing at the entrance, anger twisting his features as he glared at us.

He must have misunderstood!

I opened my mouth to explain, but before I could speak, a mocking smile curled on Brad’s lips. His tone turned icy.

"Faith, I really underestimated you. Moving on so fast, huh? Trying to seduce someone else the moment you leave me? How cheap can you get?"

His words were like a slap in the face, leaving me momentarily stunned.

He excused himself weakly, but Brad’s eyes fell on his hand, and his expression shifted instantly. It was then I realized I was clutching the photo album tightly. Before I could explain, he yanked it away, his grip so forceful that I lost my balance and fell beside the sofa.

Brad didn’t even glance at me. Instead, he frantically flipped through the album, letting out a relieved sigh when he found the ring intact.

"Who gave you permission to touch my things? If this ring had been damaged, you’d have hell to pay!"

My forearm scraped against the corner of the table when I fell, leaving a deep scratch that dripped blood. Pale and trembling, I tried to explain, but his gaze was cold and disdainful, as though he were looking at something filthy.

"Keep your dirty hands away from my photo album," he snapped.

I froze where I stood. The pain in my arm, no matter how severe, couldn’t compare to the pain that stabbed through my chest.

Edgar, who had been silently watching, couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped forward, raised his fist, and punched Brad squarely in the face. His voice thundered with fury.

"Are you blind? She’s bleeding, and this is how you treat her?"

He turned on Brad with a glare that could cut glass. "I didn’t think you’d stoop so low. Brad, you’re nothing but a coward who bullies women!"

Brad, now furious after the punch, staggered to his feet. Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, he cursed loudly and rushed forward again.

Without thinking, I jumped in between them and grabbed his arm tightly.

"I’ll leave. Don’t fight," I pleaded, my tear-filled eyes meeting his for the last time.

I couldn’t let someone who stood up for me get hurt because of Brad.

Brad exhaled sharply, unclenching his fist with an irritated snort, his face dark with displeasure. His whole body remained tense and rigid.

I picked up my luggage and stood silently at the entrance, my heart heavy. For a brief moment, I hesitated, but then I turned away.

Without looking back, I stepped out of the door and hurried away, leaving behind the five years I had given to him.

This city, so large and sprawling, suddenly felt like it had no place for me anymore.

For Brad, I had given up a promising job offer from the city administration next door. I stayed behind, sacrificing my dreams for a future I thought we’d share.

But now, that future had completely unraveled.

Using the money I had saved over the years, along with the “compensation” Brad had thrown at me, I rented a small apartment to live in temporarily.

I also rented a shop and decided to start my own photography studio.

Photography had always been my passion and my major. I’d worked with magazines and influencers before. Returning to my old career felt right—it wouldn’t be difficult to start over.

I didn’t expect that when my studio opened, Edgar would stop by and even share my discount promotions to help spread the word.

Gratefully, I accepted his help and used his connections to promote the studio on platforms like Red and TikTok.

By the third day, I landed my first booking for a photoshoot. Excited, I grabbed my camera and headed to the venue.

When I arrived, I was stunned to see Jennifer standing there in a white dress, smiling smugly.

She barely reacted to my presence.

"What’s wrong? Do you only choose certain clients?" she said mockingly.

I swallowed my frustration. Thinking of the hefty price tag on my most expensive package, I decided to bear with it.

It’s just one day, I thought. I could manage to deal with her for that long.

But Jennifer wasn’t making it easy. She nitpicked endlessly—complaining about the venue, criticizing the lighting, and finding fault in everything.

"These days, any random cat or dog can open a studio," she sneered, her words dripping with sarcasm.

When she finally claimed to be tired, she pulled out her phone and started talking sweetly to Brad, her voice dripping with affection.

Suppressing my nausea, I packed up my camera, desperate to leave. I couldn’t stand another second in her presence.

Just as I was about to walk away, she grabbed my sleeve, holding me in place.

"Aren’t you curious why I came to find you?"

Her voice was slow and deliberate, her triumphant expression brimming with arrogance.

"I heard all about you while I was abroad. A pathetic little follower of Brad, imitating me at every turn, even trying to crawl into his bed and beg for a status."

"But you’re just a substitute, something inferior to Liu. How could you ever surpass me or deserve to stay by his side?"

I bit my lower lip, struggling to remain calm, determined not to let her words provoke me.

But Jennifer only pushed further.

"You know, he still clings to me in his sleep, begging me not to leave. When I asked him about you, he said you’re just a dog—insignificant and predictable."

That was it. I couldn’t take any more.

"Enough! Stop talking!" I shouted, raising my hands to cover my ears.

Jennifer’s expression shifted dramatically. She stumbled backward and fell weakly to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, Brad rushed in like a whirlwind, kneeling beside her.

I had never seen him so concerned about anyone else before.

"Faith, you deliberately hurt Jennifer. I can’t believe you’ve stooped to this level," he spat, his words cutting through me like a blade.

I stared at him, dumbfounded, my heart already shattered and bleeding. No matter what I said, he would always side with her.

Jennifer smirked as Brad turned back to me, adding venomously, "What can you do? Should I remind her of the things you whispered in bed?"

Brad’s face drained of color. He looked at Jennifer nervously, clearly afraid she might take my words seriously. In a panic, he quickly scooped her up and hurried away.

As I watched their retreating figures, my legs gave out beneath me. I collapsed onto the ground, hands numb, unable to move or think clearly for a long time.

Because, in truth, I lied.

But Brad panicked.

It was clear how important Jennifer was to him.

I returned home weakly, my steps dragging, and from a distance, I noticed Edgar waiting downstairs. The moment he saw me, he rushed over.

"Why did you come back so late? I was worried something happened to you," he said, concern etched on his face.

I forced a stiff smile. "It’s nothing—just my ex-boyfriend and his current girlfriend stirring up trouble again."

Edgar looked uncomfortable, lowering his head slightly, guilt flickering in his eyes.

"Sorry... If I had known, I would’ve gone with you."

I shook my head dismissively. It didn’t matter; after all, he wasn’t obligated to help me. He had already done enough—finding a location for my studio and promoting it. For that, I was grateful.

Under the dim streetlamp, Edgar’s face turned crimson. He bit his lower lip, seeming hesitant about something. Then, with a trembling voice, he grabbed my arm and said,

"I know this confession is late, but I’ve liked you for a long time—long before him. Will you let me take care of you?"

I froze, his words sending me into a whirlwind of confusion. Brad’s mocking voice echoed in my mind, and my body trembled instinctively.

Could Edgar be playing a cruel game too?

I had trusted him, believed he wasn’t like Brad. Was I wrong all along?

As doubt clouded my mind, I reflexively tried to push him away, but he held my arm firmly, refusing to let go.

Edgar’s voice steadied as he continued, his words deliberate and unwavering.

"You may not believe what I say next, but it comes from my heart."

"I saved you when you fell into the lake. But after you woke up, Brad took the lead and claimed he acted bravely. The reason was simple—he needed the credit for his postgraduate entrance examination."

My heart skipped a beat, and the nervous look he had that day at the lake came rushing back.

The two figures couldn't help but overlap.

"After getting to know you, I realized I had fallen in love with you, but you’ve always been around Brad and never looked back at me."

He smiled bitterly, shaking his head with self-pity. He then took out an old, damaged diary and placed it into my hands.

"This time, I leave the choice to you. As long as you want, I will always be here, waiting for you."

The diary felt as heavy as a thousand pieces of gold. As Edgar's figure disappeared into the darkness, I gathered my thoughts and returned home, repeatedly considering whether to let go of the diary.

But I was stunned by the words in front of me.

The dense records inside were all his thoughts.