Ryan's POV

"But Ryan seems genuinely mad this time," someone said. "He's never just walked out like that before."

Amara laughed. "He's been simping after me for so many years, so I know him well. He'll definitely text me tonight."

Her tone was so certain, so smug.

But this time, I wanted to tell her, "I'm sorry, but you're about to be proven wrong."

…

I didn't go home. Instead, I went to the proposal venue I'd spent three months setting up.

The place was covered in Amara's favorite red roses, a grand stage she'd always loved, and breathtaking scenery. Every detail had been carefully designed to match her tastes.

I used to believe we'd make it to the end together. After all, she'd told me earnestly and repeatedly that she loved me.

And back then, she'd spent so much time and effort to pursue me. With one simple, "Let's do this right and be together", she moved me so much that I shed countless tears.

But I was wrong. Anyone could fake affection.

The proposal venue took three months to decorate and set up, but taking it all down only took 30 minutes. Then, I threw the ring I'd designed myself into the trash can.

I recalled how I'd stayed up late countless nights sketching designs for that ring and then searching everywhere until I found an expert craftsman to make it for me.

The ring was one of a kind. But now, Amara no longer deserved it.

After doing all that, I returned to the home I once shared with her. The apartment was located in an excellent neighborhood, and it was a gift I gave her for her 25th birthday.

I didn't plan on taking it back now, either. It'd just be my last gift to her.

I packed some of my clothes and daily essentials. Then, without leaving a single word for her, I boarded a plane for Altmarch.

When a person was hurting, it was always hard to go through it alone, so I decided to find my good buddy, Leo Dratch, who was in Altmarch as well.

…

Leo took me to a bar. A few other friends were there, too.

When they heard that I had broken up with Amara, Leo had the waiter bring over an expensive bottle of wine to celebrate.

"Out with the old, in with the new. The next one will be even better!"

I raised my glass, about to down it in one go, when I heard a friend exclaim in surprise, "Delilah? What are you doing here?"

"I was meeting a client here when I happened to see you all, so I thought I'd stop by," Delilah Hart answered.

Leo tugged at my sleeve and whispered, "Delilah has been staring at you the whole time. Do you think she's here for you?"

I turned around, and my gaze met hers.

She was dressed casually, in a high-waisted T-shirt and jeans—hardly what someone would wear to meet a client.

She, Leo, and I were all high school classmates, and we all knew each other.

Back then, Delilah was a top student in class, whereas I was just a slacker. We barely had any interaction, so I couldn't quite understand why Leo would say that.

She came over and clinked glasses with Leo. "Long time no see. You've gotten more good-looking."

Leo beamed. "Oh, come on, don't tease me. Ryan's the one who's really gotten more handsome!"

With the attention shifted to me, I could only give a polite smile and continue to drink.

Delilah sat right across from me and started playing a drinking game—rock, paper, scissors—with Leo.

…

I woke up in a hotel room.

When I noticed the unfamiliar surroundings, I jolted upright in panic. Turning to the side, I found a bare, makeup-free face—Delilah's!

She was lying asleep right next to me.

I lifted the blanket and glanced down. There was a small patch of red staining the white sheets.

My mind went completely blank. I tried hard to recall what had happened the night before. I remembered going out for drinks with Leo. Then, Delilah showed up. Then… I might have gotten drunk…

Right then, I received a message from Leo.

"You got wasted last night, so I asked Delilah to take you back to the hotel. Dude, you should really consider Delilah. She's way prettier than Amara, and she's a very down-to-earth person, too. She's not wild like Amara.

"Also, you didn't see the way she looked at you last night. Damn… It's the same look I give hot women. You and Amara are over anyway. You can't possibly punish yourself by staying single forever just because of her."

I only caught the words "Delilah took you back to the hotel", and in that instant, all the dots in my mind connected.

Fragments of last night flashed through my mind.

Delilah had helped me out of the car, then asked which floor my room was on and what the room number was.

I'd answered, "I don't know."

"Then, I'll get you a new room," she had said.

Ryan's POV

Then, Delilah and I went into the new room.

Just as she was about to leave, I suddenly grabbed her and pinned her under me. I was half out of it, my eyes unfocused.

"Who are you? Why are you in my room?" I murmured. "Did you come to keep me company because you knew I was upset?"

Then… Then, I couldn't recall anything after that.

I slapped my forehead in frustration.

It seemed like it had been her first time.

That was when Delilah woke up. The moment she saw me, her face immediately flushed red.

"I—"

But before she could finish, I cut her off, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for what happened. If there's anything you need later, you can reach out to me. I can also explain everything to your boyfriend."

She looked at me, her gaze serious. "I don't blame you. I was a willing participant, and I don't have a boyfriend. So, Ryan, don't feel burdened by it. Besides, we're both adults here."

…

In my second week in Altmarch, Naia Morenna, a friend from back home, messaged me on WhatsApp.

"Ry, when are you coming back to Azureland? Everyone misses you. Come back so we can all meet up."

I replied, "I'm not going back for the time being. We'll see when I'm free."

"Then fly back when my birthday rolls around soon. Didn't you say you'd have a drink with me last time?"

"I really don't plan on going back for now. I'll have someone deliver your gift to your place."

"Alright."

…

Third-person POV

At the dinner table, Naia showed her phone to Amara.

"Amara, why don't you just call Ryan yourself? He'll definitely cave. After all, he really did love you before—everyone knows that."

Amara glanced at the screen and snapped, "It's fine if he doesn't come back! It's not like I can't find another man."

However, her nails were digging deeply into her palms despite her words.

Someone tried to comfort her. "Don't be mad, Amara. Ryan's just sulking."

"That's right. Maybe he really is hurt this time, but give it a few days, and I'm sure he'll come running back to you."

"I've already broken things off with Callum. What else does he want?" Amara growled, so furious that she smashed her glass.

"There are plenty of people pursuing me. Who does he think he is? Listen up—Ryan and I are over. None of you is allowed to contact him again. And it'd be even better if he died somewhere out there!"

With that, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

A cold gust of wind greeted her at the entrance, and she suddenly felt very cold. She recalled how, after nights out with friends, Ryan would always be waiting at the entrance with a coat in his hands, ready to take her home.

Shaking her head, she blocked Ryan on WhatsApp and deleted his number as well. She couldn't help thinking how dramatic he was being this time, even changing tactics—dragging it out and refusing to come back.

But so what?

She wasn't going to cave just because of that. She was the CEO of Larkspur Corporation. Money and men were two things she didn't lack. Why would she need Ryan?

…

Ryan's POV

In the blink of an eye, fall arrived, and the weather turned cool.

After finishing a meeting with a client, I walked out and happened to see Delilah waiting by my car, wearing a beige coat.

The breeze ruffled her hair, but it couldn't hide the intensity in her gaze as she stared at me.

Ever since that one night we spent together, she'd been coming to find me every day to have meals with me or go shopping together.

At first, I refused. But she just smiled and said, "Ryan, we've already slept together. Are you really going to be so heartless? I just want a buddy to have a meal with."

I wasn't stupid. Even though that was what she said, the deep love and affection in her eyes were unmistakable. It was exactly the way Amara used to look at me when she was pursuing me back then.

But I'd just come out of a failed relationship, and I didn't want to repeat the same mistake. So I kept pretending to play dumb.

I walked over.

Delilah gave me a big grin. "Sir, where would you like to eat today? Your guide is at your service."

Since coming to Altmarch, I hadn't stopped working. And lately, I'd been rather swamped and exhausted. But Delilah's playful tone somehow made all that fatigue melt away.

I chuckled as well. "Let's get some street tacos."

It was actually kind of funny how the CEO of a listed company enjoyed eating street food. Previously, I often asked Amara to go with me, but she always refused because she found them dirty and unhygienic.

"Sure," Delilah answered. "I know a really good taco truck."