Felix and I had been inseparable for ten years, and everyone thought we would end up married.

When he got into fights at school, I took the blame and got expelled in his place. When he slept with countless women, I delivered birth control pills and breakup money in his place. I had always played the part of the shameless doormat, and everyone believed I loved him more than life itself.

But the moment he took over as the heir to his family's fortune, he dumped me. He looked at me with scorn and disdain. "Kathy, maybe once upon a time we were in love, but it's been too long. You're dull, and you've drained away every ounce of my affection. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with you, so get out of my sight. I'm going to marry someone I truly love."

Everyone was waiting to watch me fall apart. But when I saw the hospital's proof that my mother had been cured, and the extra hundred million dollars in my bank account, I genuinely smiled.

"Fine. I'll leave," I said.

The truth was, I had stayed with a player like him only because of a business deal. Now that I had the money, it was time for me to walk away.

The Price of Freedom

For ten years with Felix, I had lived without dignity. He was infamous for being a player, and because I kept forgiving him without limits, I became the laughingstock of everyone around us.

On the day he officially became the heir to his family's fortune, he dumped me. But when I looked at the hundred million dollars sitting in my bank account, I couldn't help but smile.

My mother had fully recovered, and I had the money in hand—so I readily agreed to the breakup.

Everyone was stunned when they watched me leave without a second thought.

"No way. Did she really just leave?"

"She didn't even hesitate. Something's off."

"Right? She used to love Felix so much—she'd have died for him!"

All eyes turned to Felix, whose expression had turned beyond grim. He let out a cold snort and mocked loudly, "Kathy, stop playing hard to get. You've loved me for so many years, you think I'll believe you can let go just like that?"

His childhood sweetheart, Eleanor, echoed, "I guarantee you'll regret it in a few days. And when you come crawling back to beg Felix, he won't take you back."

Felix frowned, hesitated for a moment, then added, "I'm not going to go soft on you."

I gave a cold laugh and quickened my pace. Whatever they said now meant nothing to me.

Back then, Felix had fallen for me first and pursued me relentlessly. But I wasn't interested in him at all, so I kept my distance.

Yet, everything changed when my mother fell gravely ill and needed expensive treatment, while my father—deep in gambling debt—was being hounded by loan sharks.

When I couldn't scrape together a single penny, Felix's mother offered me a large sum of money—on the condition that I devote my youth to staying by Felix's side.

From then on, I accompanied him through every stage of his life, tutoring him, guiding him. Even when he turned arrogant and unruly, drifting from woman to woman, I endured it all in silence.

For ten years, I stayed by his side, playing the simping fool that everyone despised, working myself to the bone like a servant. I poured my heart and soul into him, using my top-student mind to guide a once hopeless delinquent into becoming a proper heir worthy of his family name.

Now, he was successful in every way and no longer needed me. I had earned what I came for, and it was time to go. From now on, my heart would finally be free to soar.

So no, I wouldn't be sad just because he'd discarded me—because I never needed love to begin with.

…

At the airport, as I boarded my flight with my luggage, my phone buzzed with a string of messages from Felix.

'Where did you go? Why aren't you answering my calls? Call me right now!'

'Kathy, stop being childish. Come back and apologize, and I'll forgive you.'

'We might not get married, but at least we can still be friends. Be sensible.'

Every word carried a commanding tone. He clearly believed I would react the same way I always had—no matter how he mocked or humiliated my feelings, I'd eventually crawl back, apologizing just to stay by his side.

Not this time.

I gave a small shrug and tossed the phone straight into the trash can—along with the pathetic life I'd once lived.

There was nothing left in this town to miss. My gambling father died years ago. I'd sold the house, and now, with my mother healthy again, we were heading overseas to start anew.

Leaving wasn't an escape—it was the beginning of my freedom.

Five Years Later

Later, I heard from my friend Ally that Felix had gone into a frenzy after failing to reach me for so long. When I disappeared without a trace, he sent people everywhere to look for me.

But since no one could find me, his temper grew worse by the day. He lashed out at everyone around him, cursing anyone who crossed his path. People became so terrified of upsetting him that they tiptoed around, too afraid to even mention my name.

When I heard all this, I felt nothing at all. It was as if the person he was desperately searching for wasn't me.

With the money his mother had given me, I settled down in Provenelle. I rented a small house and found a job in fashion design. It wasn't what I had studied, but I loved creating beautiful clothes. In this new place, no one could cage my imagination or freedom again. Even though I had to start from scratch, I was filled with energy and life.

…

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, five years passed. My designs began to headline major fashion weeks around the world, adored by wealthy entrepreneurs and celebrities alike. I won several prestigious international awards and became the head and chief designer of my own fashion company.

This year, I was headed to Parovine to present our new haute couture collection at Fashion Week. After finishing a meeting with a celebrity's agent about a custom design partnership, I was invited to attend her friend's birthday party. I originally declined, but she was so enthusiastic that I was eventually dragged along.

As the private room door opened, laughter and music spilled out, and dozens of curious eyes turned toward me.

I lifted my head—and froze.

There he was.

Felix.

The boy I'd once known was gone. In his place sat a man—handsome, poised, with an air of power that commanded attention. The black suit he wore accentuated the sharp lines of his shoulders, and the years had carved a maturity into his once-youthful face. The people around him toasted him with respect and flattery.

Seeing him again after all these years caught me off guard.

Eleanor sat beside him, just as beautiful as ever, clinging to his arm. It seemed their relationship had stayed strong—they'd probably be married by now.

Someone in the crowd recognized me. "Whoa! Felix, look—your first love is here!"

Another voice followed with a sneer. "First love? More like his doormat!"

Curious, mocking eyes turned toward me instantly.

Felix's head snapped up. When his gaze met mine, his eyes widened. He rose to his feet instinctively but froze after a single step. Shock flickered across his face, giving way to a swirl of emotions—confusion, guilt, hesitation.

Eleanor's expression stiffened. She quickly grabbed his hand and forced a smile. "Honey, calm down." Then, she turned her glare on me. "Kathy, when did you come back?"

"Yesterday." I smiled lightly, walked to an open seat, and sat down with calm poise. "It's been a while, everyone."

Many of the faces were familiar—former classmates, old colleagues. They'd always delighted in mocking me, and clearly, nothing had changed.

"Kathy, where have you been all these years? Don't tell me you went back to the slums and married some poor guy?"

"She's got no money, no power—who else could she rely on but a man?"

"Just look at her clothes. Doesn't even look like a designer brand. No matter how well she dresses, she still reeks of poverty."

"Exactly. Back then, she slaved away for Felix, always beneath him. Some things never change."

Their snide remarks echoed one after another, laughter rippling through the room.

The agent who brought me there wanted to defend me, but I gave her a small shake of the head and a quiet gesture to stay silent.

Instead, I calmly picked up a piece of canape, took a bite, and said simply, "I've been doing very well."

But of course, they didn't believe me.

"Really? Doesn't look that way."

"If you're struggling, just say so. We can help you find a job."

"Yeah, my company needs a receptionist. Or maybe a janitor—hard work, but good pay. Think about it."

Old Faces, Old Scorn

I frowned, realizing these people hadn't changed one bit. Even with money in their pockets, they still reeked of that same old pretentiousness.

The room buzzed again with gossip.

"Wait a second, the necklace she's wearing—it looks like Chanel's latest design from this year, worth tens of millions!"

"It really is!"

"She can't possibly afford that!"

"She can't, but a man could."

"Exactly. With her kind of background, no man would ever want to marry her. He's probably just having some fun with her."

"Kathy, there are a lot of scammers these days. Don't get fooled—be careful not to give both your heart and body to him."

"Yeah! You used to be the top student in our class. If you're doing this badly now, it's really embarrassing for all of us."

I said nothing and quietly enjoyed my food. After a full day of flying, I was tired and starving, with no time to eat earlier.

While Felix's eyes burned with anger and resentment at seeing me staying silent, Eleanor scoffed as she stepped toward me. "Kathy, have you been starving for a week or something? You can't stop eating."

She loomed over me, dripping arrogance. "How sad, scarfing down food like this. Life must've treated you terribly in the last five years."

She paused, then added with a sneer, "How about coming back and playing the lapdog again? At least you'd have food and a roof over your head. We're old acquaintances, after all—consider it an act of charity."

After a few more bites of steak, warmth returned to my stomach and a bit of energy with it. I looked up at her and shook my head. "No, thanks. You can save your charity for someone else."

Eleanor burst into mocking laughter. "Stop pretending. You're just too proud for your own good—it's only going to make your life harder."

Then, she began flaunting her achievements. "I'm a top fashion designer now—one of the rising stars in the industry. My future's bright, and I'll be rolling in money soon. All it takes is one word from me, and you'll never have to worry about food or clothing again. Feeding you would be no trouble at all."

Everyone knew Eleanor was the woman Felix loved, so they all scrambled to flatter her. Her happiness meant his approval.

"That's right, Eleanor. You're amazing."

"She's worked so hard all these years. Give it a few more and she'll have a firm place in the international fashion world."

"Someone as talented and gifted as her is the only one worthy of Felix. I'm jealous, honestly."

"She's beautiful and sensible. She and Felix are a perfect match."

Eleanor raised her chin proudly, basking in the admiration. She always did love the attention. To show off even more, she dropped another piece of news. "I'll be collaborating with Miss Farah, one of the biggest designers in the field. Once our company brings her on board, we'll be taking things to a whole new level."

I blinked in mild surprise but said nothing. 'This partnership can go to the dumps,' I thought.

I stood up, ready to leave. But before I could take another step, Felix's voice—tight with anger—snapped out behind me. "Kathy, stop right there!"

I froze, turning only enough to give him my cold, distant back. "Can I help you?"

His footsteps came heavy and deliberate. When he stopped in front of me, his gaze was locked on mine, voice sharp with blame. "You've been gone for years, and now you want to run off again? You really have no heart at all. Do you feel even a shred of regret?"