Nina: “Leo, where are you? I didn’t see you.”

Leo: “I went back to the car. There were too many fans, and it’s not convenient for me to show my face.”

Nina: “Alright, let’s meet at the hotel then.”

Leo sent an “OK” emoji.

Nina: “It’s been five years! I can’t wait to see you again.”

Tara let out a mocking laugh and went back to sorting through her belongings.

Leo returned home earlier than usual, the faint scent of alcohol lingering on him. His normally aloof and cold demeanor softened, with traces of a rare smile in his eyes.

He held a large bouquet of red roses in his hands and greeted her in a deep, magnetic voice. “I’m back.”

Tara was curled up on the couch, uploading pictures of expensive items to an online secondhand marketplace, planning to sell them and donate the money.

Hearing his voice, she closed her laptop and looked over.

Leo walked over, shoved the roses into her arms, and wrapped both her and the bouquet in his embrace. He kissed her lips lightly. “What’s wrong? Miss me?”

Tara pressed her lips together in silence, lowering her gaze to smell the roses.

Like a magician, Leo pulled a long rectangular box from the wrapping paper around the flowers and opened it.

He had these naturally expressive almond-shaped eyes and his glance were always tender and heartfelt. Right now, as he focused on her, his gaze was completely irresistible.

Tara glanced inside the box and saw the diamond necklace she had admired days ago while shopping with him. It was worth over three million.

She had only paused to look at it for a moment, but he had gone out and bought it today.

Noticing her daze as she stared at the necklace, Leo leaned in to kiss her cheek. “So happy you’ve gone speechless? Let me put it on you!”

Tara’s slender, fair hands gently traced the necklace as she said calmly, “Roses and diamonds… I almost thought you were proposing.”

Leo’s hands paused, and he gave her a sidelong glance.

His tone cooled slightly. “When I propose, it’ll be with something even better.”

Tara gave a bitter, sarcastic smile. “How much longer do I have to wait?”

The smile disappeared from Leo’s face, replaced by a coldness in his deep eyes.

Tara turned her gaze away and reached up to remove the necklace.

Leo grabbed her hand, leaned in, and pressed his lips to hers, pinning her against the sofa.

Her body went rigid, and she turned her head to avoid his kiss, placing her hand against his. “I… I’m not in the mood.”

Leo’s voice was commanding and icy. “Don’t play hard to get. Your period just ended.”

With that, he tightened his grip on her hand.

Tara’s heart skipped a beat.

At that moment, Leo’s phone started ringing.

Tara quickly pushed him. “Your phone is ringing. Answer it.”

Irritated, Leo reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

From her position beneath him, Tara could see the screen clearly.

The caller ID read: Nina.

Leo immediately flipped the phone face down on the sofa and cast her a casual glance. Seeing her expression unchanged, he stood up and said, “I’ll take this call.”

He adjusted his pants, grabbed the phone, and headed upstairs.

A short while later, he came back down, now dressed in a tailored suit. “A buddy of mine ran into some trouble. I’m going to help him out. You should go to bed.”

He left without noticing how much of the villa looked emptier, missing many small, familiar items.

Leo hadn’t been home in three days.

He called, saying he was tied up with work.

Tara felt calm, almost detached. But she couldn’t resist checking Nina’s social media.

Nina updated it every day.

Day 1: A photo of two hands holding wine glasses for a toast. The caption read: “Some connections, like fine wine, only grow better with time.”

The other hand belonged to a man.

Tara recognized that slender, elegant hand and the custom-made couple’s ring on his finger. She had the matching one.

Taking off her ring, Tara laughed bitterly to herself. “I wore this so long I forgot I still had it.”

Day 2: A photo of a beach sunset. The caption read: “I’d love to grow old here.”

Tara recognized the two palm trees in the photo, leaning against each other. They had planted those trees together on the beach by his seaside villa. She had tied a simple ribbon around one of them, thinking it would make a sweet memory.

Day 3: A photo of a bustling airport crowd. In the background, Leo’s tall, unmistakable figure stood out.

Nina’s fans went wild, asking if she was in a relationship.

She replied to them all with the same line: “No, just reminiscing in familiar places.”

Tara pressed down the ache in her chest.

She continued carefully packing up items she had sold, shipping them to buyers, and donating the proceeds to a celebrity charity foundation.

For the more valuable jewelry that wasn’t selling online, she visited an auction house.

She also stopped by her university to finalize her withdrawal from her graduate program and went to apply for her travel documents, including her visa and biometric verification.

She started deactivating unused social media and shopping accounts, leaving only two active until her flight. She planned to shut those down before boarding.

Today was her birthday.

Just after midnight, a flood of messages and calls came pouring in—from family, friends, classmates, and professors.

But not a single word from Leo.

Tara glanced up at the photo on the wall.

In it, she was nestled in Leo’s arms, smiling blissfully like she had the whole world.

But Leo’s face was cold, his deep eyes devoid of any warmth.

She let out a self-mocking laugh and dragged a chair over to take the picture down.

Just then, the door opened.

Leo walked in, his sharp, handsome face dark with anger, his entire presence radiating a cold, unapproachable energy.

Leo saw Tara climbing up to reach something and quickly walked over, frowning. “What are you doing standing up there?”

Tara gave a faint smile. “Why are you back?”

Leo lifted her off the chair and kissed her lips. “Silly girl, did you forget what day it is?”

A sudden ache gripped Tara’s heart, and she couldn’t stop her eyes from turning red.

Leo cupped her face, kissing her eyelids gently. “Don’t feel bad. I remembered, okay?”

Tara lowered her long lashes and gave him a slight push, resisting his touch.

He pulled her tightly into his arms and chuckled softly. “What’s this? Thinking there’s no gift? Come on, let’s go see your present.”

He took her hand and led her to the front door.

When he opened it, there in the yard was a red luxury car.

The car, worth over a million dollars, was perfect for someone her age.

Placing the keys in her hand, he smiled indulgently. “Here’s your birthday present. Do you like it?”

Tara smiled faintly. “I like it.”

What she wanted to ask was, “Is this my severance package?”

Leo leaned down and kissed her ear, his hands roaming lightly over her through the thin fabric of her clothes.

His breathing grew heavier as he bent down to lift her, heading toward the house.

Tara frowned, already thinking about how to refuse him. Before she could speak, his phone rang again.

She couldn’t help but feel a little bitter. She didn’t even need to come up with an excuse. There was always a phone call to interrupt.

Setting her down, he ruffled her hair and said, “Go change into something formal. I’ll take you somewhere later.”

Tara seized the opportunity like a lifeline and hurried upstairs.

As she reached her room, she heard him answering the call behind her: “Hey, Nina…”

In her room, Tara changed into a deep sapphire-blue silk dress.

The dress fell just below her knees. The front revealed only a hint of her collarbone, while the back was cut low, though her long, dark hair provided some cover.

She applied light makeup, put on a pair of pearl earrings, and went downstairs.

Leo was still on the phone. When he saw her coming down, his gaze froze.

Sapphire blue was a notoriously unforgiving color, but Tara’s fair, flawless skin made it look regal and elegant.

The fitted silk dress was equally unforgiving, revealing even the smallest imperfections, yet Tara’s figure was perfect, with no flaws at all.

Her delicate features and refined demeanor shone effortlessly, drawing all attention without the need for extravagant jewelry.

Leo hung up the phone, slipped it into his pocket, and reached out to wrap an arm around Tara’s waist, planting a quick kiss on her lips, as if he couldn’t get enough of her.

“Why aren’t you wearing the diamond necklace?” he asked.

Tara gave a soft smile. “It’s too expensive.”

Leo sighed, shaking his head. “It’s meant to be worn. I’ll get you an even better one tomorrow.”

Tara held up the car keys in her hand. “Let’s go. I can’t wait to take the new car for a spin.”

Leo chuckled, affectionately ruffling the back of her head. “Alright, let’s go.”

Once inside, Leo took the passenger seat and set the GPS.

Tara noticed the destination was a high-end private club on the outskirts of the city—members-only, with an annual fee of half a million.

They had visited the same place last year for Leo’s birthday. It was just the two of them then. They stayed for two days and didn’t leave the room once.

He had ended up with a nosebleed from the exertion, and she wound up in the hospital.

Frowning, Tara guessed he was planning something similar for her birthday this year.

But she couldn’t muster any enthusiasm. Instead, she felt disgusted.

The whole drive, she focused on thinking of a way to excuse herself. Before she knew it, they had arrived.

The automatic gates opened, and the red luxury car glided in, stopping in front of a two-story building with a classic, vintage design.

Leo stepped out first, holding Tara’s high heels in his hand as he walked around to her side. He placed the shoes on the ground by the driver’s door.

Tara took his arm for balance as she got out of the car, slipping on her heels.

The moment she stood up straight, a loud “Bang! Bang!” rang out.

Tara jumped in surprise.

Suddenly, a shower of red rose petals rained down from the sky, floating gently around them like something out of a dream.

Leo pulled her close, shielding her in his arms.

The two of them—an undeniably striking couple—stood together as rose petals rained down around them.

Laughter erupted around them.

“Happy birthday, Tara!”

“Happy birthday!”

“Tara, you’re gorgeous! No wonder Mr. Carter keeps you hidden!”

“You two are such a perfect match!”

Tara stood there, stunned, completely taken aback.

It had been three years, and Leo had never once introduced Tara to his parents, relatives, or friends.

He always said that because he worked with celebrities and was part of the entertainment industry, he couldn’t make their relationship public.

When she suggested introducing him to her family, he brushed it off, saying the timing wasn’t right.

So what was this now? Had the timing magically become right?

Confused and disoriented, Tara allowed Leo to guide her into the banquet hall.

Music played as dazzling lights flickered, and rose petals cascaded from the ceiling. Waitstaff in suits and bow ties wheeled out a towering birthday cake, over six feet tall.

“Time to cut the cake!”

Amid the noise and excitement, someone placed a cake knife in Tara’s hand.

Leo wrapped an arm around her, his hand guiding hers. Leaning close to her ear, he whispered, “Let’s cut it together.”

They moved toward the cake, and just as the knife sliced through it—

“Am I late?”

A tall figure appeared in the doorway.

Leo froze, his hand still holding Tara’s. His expression shifted abruptly, his eyes darkening.

Tara looked up and saw Nina walking in against the light, radiant and captivating, exuding an aura that drew every eye in the room.

The room fell silent for a moment. Those who knew the backstory had their smiles stiffen, while the clueless ones hesitated briefly before the excitement exploded.

“Nina!”

“Nina Lucas, the international superstar!”

People swarmed around Nina—snapping photos, asking for autographs, begging for selfies.

Reporters and media personnel quickly whipped out their equipment, ready to interview her.

In an instant, Nina became the center of attention.

A reporter asked, “Nina, what brings you here? Do you know Mr. Carter personally?”

Nina smiled graciously. “Mr. Carter and I have been friends for many years. I heard he was throwing a birthday party for his girlfriend, so I came to offer my congratulations.”

Another reporter chimed in, “We saw your recent social media posts. It seems like you’ve been spending time with a mysterious man since returning to the country. Are you in a relationship?”

Nina glanced toward Leo, her smile unwavering. “No, he’s just a very, very good friend.”

The reporter teased, “But even close friends can fall in love or get married. Would you consider that mysterious man as a partner?”

Nina looked straight at Leo and said, slowly and deliberately, “No, I would not.”

Leo’s arm tightened around Tara, his gaze icy and his expression dark as a storm.

The sudden chill in the air froze everyone’s smiles, and the lively atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

Leo’s voice was cold as ice. “Today is my girlfriend’s birthday party, not a press conference for Miss Lucas, the superstar.”

The event organizer quickly stepped in, laughing nervously. “Yes, yes, back to the cake cutting! Let’s get the music going!”

Everyone in the room, seasoned in the entertainment industry, was quick to adjust, and the festive atmosphere picked up again as if nothing had happened.

Tara took the first slice of cake and handed it to Nina with a polite smile. “Welcome, Miss Lucas. Have some cake.”

Nina accepted the cake and studied Tara’s face intently, her eyes narrowing with surprise. “Why do I feel like we look a little alike?”

She turned to the people around her. “What do you all think?”

Those in the know gave awkward smiles and tried to brush it off. “Beautiful people often resemble each other. It’s just a coincidence, haha.”

Those unaware of the underlying tension began to murmur among themselves.

“She does look a little like her.”

“At first glance, maybe, but not so much when you really look closely.”

“They’re completely different styles. One is like a peony—vibrant and stunning. The other is pure and elegant, like an orchid.”

Tara kept her composure, her smile calm. “Maybe it’s destiny. Even when I was younger, people used to say I resembled the famous Nina.”

Her words carried an undertone that wasn’t lost on those paying attention, exchanging subtle glances.

It was true that Tara was young, just twenty-one and fresh out of college, with a natural beauty that exuded innocence and simplicity.

Raised in a wealthy family, she had received the best education and upbringing. Her natural poise, confidence, and elegance made her stand out without effort.

Nina, on the other hand, wasn’t much older at twenty-nine.

But years of cosmetic enhancements and surgeries, combined with navigating the cutthroat entertainment industry, had left her with a complexity that couldn’t be hidden, no matter how hard she tried.

Coming from a modest background, Nina had started at an arts academy as a teenager and thrown herself into the entertainment industry early. Her lack of academic grounding often gave her an air of shallowness.

Grace, after all, comes from within, and side-by-side comparisons could be brutally unforgiving.

Sensing the tension, someone chimed in cheerfully, “Everyone, grab some food! Red wine, white wine—help yourselves and enjoy!”

The crowd dispersed, people grabbing glasses and plates, forming small groups to chat and mingle.

Leo kept his arm around Tara’s waist and asked softly, “What do you want to eat? Or drink?”

In truth, no one came to these events for the food or drinks.

Tara, not knowing anyone here, felt out of place. “Let’s go sit by the floor-to-ceiling windows.”

Leo fetched her favorite red wine and desserts, staying by her side. Yet his eyes kept drifting toward Nina, who was moving effortlessly through the crowd.

Nina’s smile was dazzling, and she navigated the room with ease. First, she chatted with reporters and bloggers. Then she had drinks with a few producers and screenwriters.

Eventually, she started talking with two powerhouse directors in the film industry.

She was clearly networking, laying the groundwork for her return to the domestic entertainment scene, and knew these top-tier directors were essential connections.

As the alcohol flowed, the atmosphere grew looser. Men and women, hungry for fame and fortune, pressed their boundaries—offering drinks, testing limits, and making subtle advances.

Leo’s expression darkened, his mood growing icier by the minute.

At first, he made an effort to talk to Tara occasionally, but soon, he wasn’t even pretending to pay attention to her.

Tara noticed one director’s hand grazing Nina’s lower back while another handed her a large glass of brandy.