When I heard her question, I just smoothly displayed the Julian-style smile. "Melia, I've always liked you."

"How boring." Melia instantly lost interest, holding the umbrella by herself as she quickly walked away, leaving me alone in the heavy rain.

Now, as my thoughts came together, I stared blankly at the Spring River Villa, where I had lived for three years, feeling a mix of emotions.

This place never truly belonged to me. Now that the contract had ended, it's time for me to return to where I truly belong.

The pain in my temples was intense. I took off my coat and went to the bathroom to shower, also removing the makeup on my face.

For the past three years as a substitute, whenever I appeared in front of Melia, I had to maintain a flawless appearance. Because only with makeup that was exactly like Julian’s could I resemble him completely.

Once I took it off, I no longer looked like him.

Fortunately, Melia wouldn’t be coming back tonight, so I could briefly be myself.

I had just finished drying my hair and was about to go to bed when suddenly, I heard the sound of a car parking downstairs.

I quickly sat up, startled.

Why was Melia back?

It was still raining outside and every time Melia got out of the car and walked to the villa, there was quite a distance, so I needed to bring her an umbrella.

I almost instinctively grabbed the umbrella and ran out.

Just as I reached the living room, I made eye contact with Melia.

Her gaze lingered on my face for a few seconds.

Suddenly, she spoke softly, "Why are you standing there like that? Come over and help me with these."

I immediately bent down to help her with the bags and when I saw what she was carrying, my eyes lit up.

"Melia, didn’t you say you weren’t coming back tonight? And you bought so many cakes and candied fruit. When did you start having such a sweet tooth?"

Without lifting her head, she replied, "The cooperation was canceled, there was no need to stay on the business trip, so I came back to keep you company."

She raised her hand and pointed to the pile of candied hawthorns and various mousse cakes.

"All of these are for you."

My eyes brightened. "How did you know I like these?"

I immediately covered my mouth after saying that.

Julian was an expert at body management and he hated consuming carbs. He wouldn't touch anything sweet like cake or candied fruit snacks.

But I, on the other hand, like them.

I silently prayed that Melia hadn't heard what I just said, but the next moment, she spoke up, "I saw you sneakily running to the stall to buy candied hawthorns last time as if you were stealing something."

Melia's face showed no expression, but her hands skillfully opened the cake box, peeled off the wrapping of the candied fruit snacks and handed them to me.

"If you want to eat them in the future, just tell Ingrid and have her go buy some. The stall outside isn't clean."

I felt my heart skip a beat.

I recalled that time when Melia was taking a nap in the bedroom and the sound of the candied fruit snacks seller calling out could be heard from outside the villa.

I had lived a difficult life and had a sweet tooth since I was little. I would secretly sneak out to buy them, never expecting that Melia had seen me.

No wonder, ever since then, there seemed to be more sweets and cakes in the house for no apparent reason.

I even felt a little pleased with myself. Melia didn't eat sweets, so in the end, they all ended up in my stomach.

It turned out, Melia had already noticed. Unfortunately, in six days, I would be leaving.

I took a bite of the candied fruit snacks, only to find it a bit bitter, sour and astringent.

Melia had propped her head up with one hand, watching with interest as I stuffed the candied fruit snacks into my mouth, a faint smile playing at the corner of her lips.

"Rafael."

"Mm?"

"I finally saw you without makeup. So, this is what you looked like."

There was a hint of amusement in Melia’s voice, but I instantly froze.

Oh no, I had forgotten to put on makeup.

I dropped the candied fruit snacks and covered my face, about to run to the bathroom, but she grabbed me with her fair, delicate hand.

"Rafael, there's no need to put on makeup anymore. Anyway, you don't look like Julian even when you try."

I froze in place.

Suddenly, I remembered something from a few months ago. Melia had suddenly ordered me, "Take off your makeup."

I didn’t catch it clearly and looked up in surprise, "What?"

But she stared at me seriously and said, "Rafael, let me see what you look like without makeup."

I firmly refused to agree. That was beyond the scope of my professional duties.

After all, when I received payment, I was expected to act on behalf of others and I had to always show up around Melia with Julian's makeup on.

That way, I could constantly serve as a reminder for the employer.

But now, Melia didn’t say anything. She just turned and walked away. It felt as though whether I wore makeup or not made no difference to her.

"Come here, let’s sleep."

Melia had changed into her sleepwear and was lying in bed, lifting the covers and opening her arms toward me.

The expression on her face was as natural as ever.

I didn’t know exactly when, but our relationship had gradually turned into that of a normal couple.

Every night, she needed to be in my arms to fall asleep.

But the thought that I would eventually leave made me hesitate, unwilling to go over. "Melia, I... I'm not really that tired right now."

Melia looked at me in confusion. "Then don’t sleep yet, come here and hold me while I sleep."

I stood there, dragging my feet.

Melia lost her patience and frowned. "Rafael, are you coming over or not?"

I grabbed a nearby pillow in a panic and quickly ran out. "I... I’ll sleep in the guest room!"

As expected, she didn’t follow.

Lying in the pitch-black guest room, I closed my eyes but couldn’t fall asleep. My mind was filled with thoughts of parting from Melia.

After all, I needed to break the habit even though these three years of being a stand-in had constantly reminded me not to get emotionally involved with my client.

But as the saying went, ‘People were not wood or stone who can be without feelings.’

Even a dog could form attachments, let alone a living, breathing woman.

I had to find a suitable excuse to leave in the next few days.

I woke up from a nap, stretched lazily and before I knew it, someone had pulled me into arms.

I opened my eyes in a panic and realized that I had somehow ended up back in the bedroom in the middle of the night.

"Melia, you..."

Melia had her arms wrapped around my waist from behind, her legs naturally draped over mine. She was still fast asleep but instinctively kissed the back of my neck.

"Be good, don’t move."

In a surge of anger, I turned around.

The moment I saw Melia's sleeping face, my frustration boiled over.

No wonder Julian was willing to spend 15 million to find a stand-in. If I had that kind of money, I’d be scared of such a beautiful woman being taken away by someone else.

But…

She wasn’t someone I could have.

Three more days passed.

I desperately searched for a way to disappear without raising suspicion like disappearing on a trip, being abducted, vanishing without a word.

In the end, I couldn’t settle on a decent plan.

Only three days left.

Julian had called me multiple times, urging me to act.

"Rafael, there are only three days left. You need to hurry up."

"If you haven’t disappeared from Melia’s life by then, you’ll have to pay a hefty penalty."

I could never afford that penalty.

I forced a smile. "Mr. Sinclair, don’t worry. I promise I’ll be gone within three days."

After hanging up, I gritted my teeth and bought a plane ticket for two days later.

Melia, goodbye.

I gazed out the window, lost in thought. In the alley next door, a woman was begging on the street, holding a child in her arms.

Almost instinctively, I ran out into the rain and handed the woman an umbrella.

She immediately burst into tears, bowing to me while holding her child.

"Thank you, thank you!"

She told me her husband was seriously ill and needed an extremely expensive surgery. They had sold their house, emptied all their savings, but it still wasn’t enough to cover the medical costs.

So, she had no choice but to take her child and beg on the streets, hoping to raise some funds through this undignified method.

As I listened, my eyes filled with tears. I thought of my grandmother, bedridden with a serious illness and quickly helped her to her feet.

“I believe everything will get better."

I scanned the QR code and transferred all 3 thousand dollars from my balance to her. "Though it's not much, I hope it helps."

The rain wasn’t heavy, but it was enough to soak through clothes.

I didn't know how long the woman had been kneeling, holding her child, but her clothes were already soaked through.

I watched as she took the umbrella, holding her child as she walked away, unable to hold back my tears.

"Let’s go back." A single umbrella appeared above my head. I turned around and met Melia’s gaze, her eyes filled with a gentle smile.

"Every time, you always remember to give me an umbrella, yet you're the fool who ends up getting soaked in the rain."

Melia took my hand, holding the umbrella as she led me toward the Spring River Villa. "I didn't expect my boyfriend to be so kind-hearted, unable to bear seeing others suffer."

The rain grew heavier.

I could clearly feel the umbrella tilting towards me, making Melia's shoulder soaked through.

I suddenly remembered that when I first gave her an umbrella, Melia had only let me stand in the rain.

It felt like she was punishing me in the same way she had punished Julian for abandoning her.

But later, every time she held the umbrella, she would tilt it towards me.

I stared at Melia in a daze. Had she started forgiving Julian, or had she developed feelings for me?

But I didn’t ask her because the more likely situation was that she had started forgiving Julian.

Julian had returned to the country a few days ago and just now, I had seen a message from him on Melia's phone.

[Melia, I’m back in the country. My friends helped me organize a welcome back party. I’ve sent you the address, hope you can come tonight.]

Melia didn’t reply, but she held her phone tightly, staring at it for a long while, lost in thought.

Now that the main person had returned, I should be helping them get together and then make my perfect exit.

"Sweetheart, check your phone. Just now, you were so helpful, you must be out of pocket. So, I’m here to top you up," Melia said with a smile.

I picked up my phone and saw a transfer of 70 thousand dollars from her.

She knew I loved money. For the past three years, every time she transferred money to me, I would eagerly accept it and send a "Thank you, boss" sticker in return.

But this time, I didn’t accept it.

While Melia went to take a shower, I refunded the transfer to her. When she came out after her shower, I thoughtfully prepared her coat and even carefully ironed it.

"Rafael, what are you doing with my coat?"

I looked up and smiled, "Aren't you going out tonight? I thought I'd prepare it for you in advance."

Melia furrowed her brow. "Who said I’m going out?"

I froze for a moment, unable to answer. I couldn't exactly tell her I had accidentally peeked at her phone.

Her true boyfriend was finally back in the country. I thought for sure Melia would go to the banquet tonight.

But to my surprise, she wasn't in any hurry. Instead, she accompanied me to the supermarket.

Then, I received a message from Julian.

[Rafael, what are you doing? Are you still clinging to Melia? I warn you, no matter what method you use tonight, make sure Melia attends my welcome-back banquet.]