In the seventh year of dating Lorenzo Townsend, he still didn't want to marry me.

One day, I said to him, "Lorenzo, I'm getting married."

He frowned slightly, not even sure if he heard me right.

"The company is going public, and we're swamped. This is not the time to discuss such an insignificant topic," he said.

I smiled calmly.

Maybe to him, it seemed like I was pushing him to marry me.

But the truth was, I was getting married, but not to him.

"It's okay. You keep doing your thing. I just wanted to let you know," I said, calmly sitting down in a chair across from him.

Lorenzo Townsend finally looked up at me, staring for a long while.

Once, he used to look at me like that, but now, the warmth in his gaze was gone.

We were college classmates.

Today marked the seven years since we met and fell in love.

We'd been through four years of college and three years since graduation. He'd probably forgotten what today was.

The fiery passion we shared at the beginning was reduced to cold distance.

After being his girlfriend for seven years, I still hadn't heard him say he wanted to marry me.

I wasn't stupid or blind to what was happening.

When a man dragged things out for seven years, there must be something deeper.

Lorenzo paused for a moment, then spoke with a hint of impatience. "I've told you. When the company goes public, I'll marry you. Don't keep bringing this up."

He shot me a cold look. "Are you that desperate? Afraid you won't be able to find someone else?"

His words hit me like a cold wave, leaving me shivering.

Back in college, we didn't have much, but those years were fulfilling.

We dreamed about the future, picking up odd jobs to make ends meet. We'd share a single meal.

He always let me have the meat, while he'd just drink the soup and mix it with rice.

Back then, he promised we'd get married once we graduated.

After graduation, we started this company.

There were many times when we'd pass a jewelry store on our way home.

Lorenzo would point to the most expensive diamond ring inside and say, "When the company is stable, I'll buy you the most expensive ring from this store and propose."

Now the company was stable, and we were making money.

But his promises had shifted. Now it was, "When the company goes public, I'll marry you."

The marriage had been delayed again and again. I didn't even know which of his promises were real anymore.

I lifted my head, gazing at him, and murmured, "It's been seven years. We've been together for seven years."

His indifference melted a little. He leaned across the desk and pulled me into a tight hug.

"I know you've waited a long time, but right now, the company is at a critical point," he murmured. "I can't get distracted. I need to focus on work. This company is something we worked hard to build. We've come so far. You understand, right?"

I didn't respond. The disgust and nausea rising inside me felt impossible to hold back.

I wasn't blind to his hesitation, and I knew where the perfume smell on him was coming from.

They said childhood feelings couldn't beat true love, but Lorenzo could never forget his childhood sweetheart.

He would do anything for her.

Six months ago, Lorenzo suddenly hired a female secretary.

I was curious about what kind of woman could catch his attention. He was always indifferent to other women.

I didn't pay much attention to it because I trust him and our bond.

But soon, I heard from one of our business partners. Lorenzo had offended them because of that secretary.

When it blew up, he had a huge argument with me.

Not getting it, I confronted him, "It was just a drink. What's the big deal? Mr. Singleton didn't do anything out of line. And besides, when the company was starting up, you encouraged me to go for drinks."

Before I could say anything more, I heard a loud crash.

Lorenzo slammed his phone down on the desk. The broken glass shards flew, cutting my ankle.

"That's what you should do! Don't expect everyone to act like you, with no feminine grace!" he snapped. "Is this the kind of woman you are? Lynn is still so young, and you want to let this bad influence ruin her?"

His words hit me like a hammer. I was stunned.

His cold voice echoed in my mind. I never thought I was so insignificant in his mind.

But if I hadn't fought tooth and nail to attend those events, the company would never have gotten to where it is now.

He wouldn't have been able to enjoy his current carefree life.

After that argument, we didn't speak for an entire month.

Finally, on his birthday, I swallowed my pride and apologized with a cake I had baked.

But when I arrived in the office, he was celebrating it with someone else.

His face was smeared with cream.

On the same day, I learned that Lynn Wilcox was both his secretary and childhood sweetheart.

He was willing to put me through all that humiliation for her.

Footsteps broke my thoughts. Soon, Lynn pushed the door open.

Lorenzo instinctively pushed me aside and straightened up.

I frowned. "Don't you knock before entering the president's office?"

Lynn cowered. "I've always done it this way. Lorenzo said I don't need to knock."

I figured out what was going on between them, and a bitter feeling rose in my chest.

Lynn really was someone special to him.

He had once scolded me harshly for not knocking, saying I had no manners.

He even made a new rule at the company that everyone should knock before entering.

Sensing my mood, Lorenzo stood in front of me and sent Lynn away.

"Lynn is still young. She can't remember everything," he explained. "Don't take it out on her."

Every time I heard him say that, I couldn't help but laugh.

Lynn was just three months younger than me. Yet he favored her so openly.

I smiled bitterly, saying I understood, but my fists clenched at my sides.

I had to admit that, in Lorenzo's mind, I wasn't even on the same level as Lynn.

I straightened my collar, keeping calm. "I've said everything I needed to say. I'll leave you to it."

He furrowed his brow. It seemed like he had completely forgotten what I had just said.

As I was about to leave, he couldn't help but ask, "What did you just say? I didn't quite catch that."

A rush of bitterness surged in me. I took a deep breath, preparing to repeat what I had said.

Just then, Lynn pushed the door open again.

Lynn paused at the sight of me, then stuck out her tongue at Lorenzo playfully.

"Sorry, I forgot to knock again," she said.

Lorenzo smiled fondly, patting her head. "It's fine, but what's up this time?"

"It's lunchtime," she replied. "I heard of a good French restaurant. Will you take me there?"

He agreed without hesitation, forgetting I still had unsaid words.

Before leaving, he suddenly turned back. "Stella, it's noon. Wanna join us for lunch?"

I paused, dazed, trying to recall when we had lunch together the last time.

Ever since Lynn showed up, it felt like his world revolved around her.

I snapped out of it and declined, "It's fine. You two go ahead."

It was time to end things with him.

After leaving the company, I walked straight to the parking lot.

Once I got in the car, I checked my phone and realized I had been crying without noticing.

Wiping my tears away quickly, I took a deep breath and called home.

"Sweetie, what's up? Why are you calling me out of the blue?" asked my mother.

I held back the sobs in my voice. "Mom, I've decided. I'm ready for an arranged marriage anytime."

"Really?" Deborah Mason's voice was filled with surprise.

But then, she sighed, "I know you've been with Lorenzo for seven years, but he's never wanted to marry you. We don't have forever to wait. When youth is gone, he won't want you anymore."

She paused, then gently advised me, "But still, I hope you're not acting out of impulse. Marriage is a big deal. Don't rush into it."

I couldn't hold back my tears. "Mom, I understand. I'm not rushing. I'll listen to you this time."

The call ended, and it took me a while to calm down.

I touched up my makeup and drove off.

The pinned location turned out to be a French restaurant, and I frowned, hoping I wouldn't meet those I didn't want to see.

As soon as I entered the lobby, Lynn's voice came from behind me.

She looked at me with a smug smile. "Stella, what a small world! You're here, too. Lorenzo invited you, but you turned him down. Now you're secretly following us, huh? You're not doing this on purpose to make Lorenzo uncomfortable, are you?"

I remained silent, not interested in her game.

Just as I frowned, my phone buzzed.

On the screen was the number of the private room. Coincidentally, it was right next to where Lorenzo was.

"Stella Mason!" Lynn called out, jogging to block my way. "These days, the company has been preparing for the IPO. Lorenzo has been so busy. Can you stop bothering him? Let him have some peace."

She rambled on, "And aren't you over thirty already? Most people at your age are married with kids. Instead of bothering Lorenzo all the time, why not think about how you're going to live the rest of your life?"

I'd be a fool if I couldn't tell she was provoking me.

I stopped in my tracks, my gaze calm but with a hint of disdain. "Is this how you speak to company leaders? Even if I'm no longer working at the company, I'm still a shareholder. Who are you to talk to me like that? Besides, this is between me and Lorenzo. When did it become your business?"