Love Has Become an Empty Memory

"Dad, Mom, I've decided—I'll go through with the marriage arrangement with the Kingston family. I'll be back by the end of the month." Daphne Wharton made the decision in the middle of a camping trip with Luke Hardy. She curled into herself, pulling her scarf higher against the chill. For a moment, there was only silence on the other end of the line. Then, her mother's voice came through, thick with tears. "Daphne, we know this isn't fair to you. Our company is struggling, and the Kingston family is willing to help—but only if you marry their son. We've failed you as parents…" Her father let out a heavy sigh beside her mother. Daphne listened, her gaze unfocused. A faint, bitter smile tugged at her lips. "It's okay, Mom, Dad. This is what I should do. I'll be back in fifteen days—when their son returns to the country." Chapter 1 After Daphne and her parents exchanged a few more words of mutual consolation, the call ended. "Daphne, who were you talking to this late at night?" She turned to see Luke emerging from the darkness. He wore a deep blue windbreaker, the fitted sleeves hinting at the firm muscles beneath. His face, sharp and striking with a touch of untamed wildness, carried an undeniable allure. He pulled her into his arms, brushing his chin lightly against the top of her head before placing a soft kiss on her cheek. "Sorry for making you wait so long for this trip," he murmured. "It's fine. The company matters too." His hand moved slowly along her back, sending a faint shiver through her. The quiet mountaintop felt charged, the air between them thick with something unspoken. She stepped back from his embrace and looked at him with expectant eyes. "Let's get our marriage certificate the day after tomorrow. I checked the calendar—it's a good day." Luke stilled for a moment before letting out a soft chuckle, ruffling her hair. "Baby, not so soon. You know this is one of the most important moments of our lives. I want to give you the perfect, most romantic ceremony—something that'll make everyone jealous of you. But there's not enough time to prepare. Let's wait a little longer. When everything is set, we'll do it properly. Alright?" Daphne had already expected this answer, but she still hesitated for show. "Really? You're not just making excuses?" Luke tightened his arms around her. "Babe, of course not. I just want to give you the best. This isn't something we should rush." Daphne's mind drifted back to the first time they met. That day, she had accompanied her brother to a competition. His teammate was Luke. Her brother introduced him, saying he was the most reliable guy he knew. And in that instant, she had been drawn to him. From then on, she found excuses to attend every similar event, just to be closer to him. One night, she heard from a friend that Luke was drinking alone at a bar, one glass after another. Panicked, she rushed over to find him. He was already drunk when she arrived, his gaze hazy, as if seeing right through her—searching for someone else. He reached out and traced her cheek with his fingers, whispering another woman's name, his eyes filled with longing. Something inside her clenched, but looking at him like that, she felt more pity than pain. She knew he wasn't seeing her. But she didn't care. Gently, she wrapped her arms around him and whispered in his ear, "It's okay. Even if you see her in me, I'll stay by your side." It was unclear whether he heard her or not. He only held her tighter. That night, he took her home. "Have you thought this through? I'm your brother's old friend." "I've thought it through," she said, her face flushing red. "You're only six years older than me. That's not such a big gap." Her cheeks were warm, flushed like a ripe cherry. That night, they fell into each other, tangled and breathless. And from that moment on, she became his girlfriend. Now, five years had passed. Brushing away the memory, she returned to the present. "Trust me, babe. We just need a little more time. When everything is perfect, we'll get married." With that, Luke pulled out a small, exquisitely wrapped box and handed it to her. "I picked out this scarf for you. Do you like it?" She looked down at the soft pink silk, the designer logo stitched neatly into the fabric. It was expensive. But as she stared at it, her eyes grew red. Because she knew—this was the scarf Seraphine had rejected. Chapter 2 That morning, Daphne had scrolled through her feed and come across a new post. There was a photo of an open gift box, brimming with expensive presents. The caption read: [My boyfriend always buys me random things. Most of them are fine, but this scarf is hideous. Might as well tie it around the dog's neck!] So this was the scarf Luke had given her—one that Seraphine had discarded like trash, something only fit for a dog. Just like all the other gifts. Ever since Seraphine returned, he had been giving Daphne presents more frequently. At first, she had thought it was love. But now she understood—these were the things Seraphine didn't want. And yet, she had treated them like treasures. She had held onto them and cherished them. She had convinced herself they meant something. Until she saw Seraphine's posts. One after another. And finally, she woke up from her dream. "What's wrong, Daphne? You don't like it?" Daphne tucked the scarf away and forced a faint smile. "I like it." Luke let out a breath, relieved. He thought she had let it go. "Babe, don't overthink things. It's just a piece of paper. With or without it, I'll still love you just the same." She pressed down the coldness in her chest. "I'm tired. Let's sleep." "Alright." Luke kissed her forehead lightly, never noticing the storm behind her eyes. That night, as his breathing grew steady in sleep, Daphne lay awake in the dark. Was it really just bad timing? Had he truly not been ready to marry her? Or was it because his heart still belonged to someone else—that she was just Seraphine's replacement? Last week, she had seen Seraphine for the first time. She had gone to find Luke at his usual club. As she passed by a private room, she heard a voice she recognized. She glanced inside. There he was, holding a woman in his arms. His gaze was filled with deep, aching tenderness. His voice, thick with emotion, repeated the same name over and over. "Seraphine… Seraphine…" Each word was an arrow, piercing straight through her. She froze, rooted to the floor. In that moment, she finally understood—he had never been looking at her. He had only been seeing her through the shadow of someone else. After that, she couldn't stop herself. She searched for Seraphine's social media. She scrolled through post after post, her hands turning ice cold. Then, a new update appeared before her eyes. Seraphine had posted a photo of a milk tea shop on the outskirts of town. A tall man stood in line, his back to the camera. The caption read: [Feels just like old times. No matter how long the line, you'd always wait if I wanted this milk tea.] Daphne stared at the screen. Her mind went blank. Seconds later, a comment popped up beneath it: [Seraphine, welcome home. From now on, your milk tea is on me.] She clicked on the profile picture. A simple avatar—two bold letters, LS, paired with a single white rose. And in an instant, she knew. It was Luke's private account. Suddenly, everything made sense. The initials embroidered on his cuffs, and his inexplicable fondness for white roses. Everything led back to Seraphine. That night, after Luke fell asleep, she couldn't help herself. She reached for his tablet and tried logging into his private account. She tried her birthday. His birthday. Their anniversary. Even Seraphine's birthday. None of them worked. Then she remembered a date she had seen in one of Seraphine's posts—the day they first got together. She typed it in. The screen shifted. She was in. And what she found there felt like a knife twisting deep inside her. Photo after photo—memories frozen in time. The two of them at the beach, wrapped in each other's arms, love in their eyes vast enough to swallow the sea. On a cobblestone path, he held an umbrella over her, gazing down at her like she was his entire world. At the peak of a mountain, they watched the sunrise, their silhouettes outlined in gold. They brimmed with happiness, pure and untainted. Every post, every caption, was a fragment of the love they had shared. And now, each one pressed down on Daphne like an unbearable weight, crushing her completely. She didn't sleep that night. And by morning, after hours of silent torment, she made her decision. She would go home. She would accept the marriage her parents had arranged. She wouldn't love Luke anymore. Chapter 3 The sun rose early on the mountaintop. Daphne didn't know when she had fallen asleep, but when she woke, Luke was already gone. Stepping outside, she vaguely heard his voice in the distance, speaking into the phone. "Don't be mad, okay? I promise I'll be there for your birthday. I already bought that limited-edition bag you love." A pause. Then, in a quieter voice— "Stop calling me. If Daphne hears, it won't be good." The moment he hung up and turned around, their eyes met. His gaze flickered, unreadable. "Daphne, you're up. Did you hear me on the phone?" "I just got here when you hung up. Why?" she said, her expression calm. Something wavered in his eyes—guilt, maybe—before he quickly stepped forward, wrapping an arm around her. "I didn't wake you because the fog was too thick. I figured there wouldn't be a sunrise anyway, so I let you sleep in." Daphne nodded. Luke seemed to want to say more, but just then, his phone rang again. Glancing at the caller ID, he immediately said, "Daphne, I need to rush back to take care of some work. It's freezing up here—let me drive you home first." Without waiting for her reply, he rushed inside to gather his things. He didn't even notice how pale she was. Of course. What could possibly be more important than spending Seraphine's birthday with her? Luke was in a hurry. He drove really fast all the way back. When they reached her apartment, he barely slowed down. He didn't walk her in. Didn't even look back. The car disappeared down the road before she even had time to react. Daphne ordered takeout and ate alone. Then, her phone rang. It was her father. "Daphne, the Kingston family called. They're starting to prepare for the engagement ceremony. This is a lifetime decision. Are you sure about this?" "I'm sure." There was a time when she believed she and Luke were happy. But now, she realized—it had all been an illusion. Maybe this relationship had been a mistake from the beginning. Maybe he had never really let Seraphine go. And maybe it was time to put an end to this fragile, crumbling thing between them. Since Luke loved Seraphine that much, she'd give him back to her. Forever. She hadn't slept at all the night before, and exhaustion soon crept up on her. Just as she drifted off, half-awake, half-asleep, she heard Luke's voice. "Sorry, Daphne, I probably won't be home tonight. There's still work to do at the company." In an instant, her sleepiness vanished. Before, when he told her he was working late, she never doubted him. But ever since she saw Seraphine's Instagram, she had realized just how many times he had used "work" as an excuse to lie to her. This time was no different. But strangely, her heart felt nothing. Just emptiness. "Okay," she said. "Go ahead." There was a brief silence. Luke hesitated. She used to question him and press him for answers. But now—now she just agreed, without a fight. Something about that unsettled him. He kissed her cheek, as if to reassure himself. "I won't be gone long. I'll be back before you know it. I know I've neglected you lately, Daphne. But we have a lifetime ahead of us." Then, he turned and left. Daphne watched him walk away, his silhouette growing smaller, until he was gone. A quiet voice echoed in her mind, 'Luke, there is no "lifetime ahead of us". There won't be a "next time".' When she woke the next morning, the sun was already high in the sky. Luke had not come home. Then, her phone rang. It was one of his colleagues. "Daphne, do you know why Luke didn't come to work today?" Daphne froze. "He told me he was at the office all night." Silence. Then, hurriedly, Luke's colleague said, "Ah, never mind. Forget I said anything." The call ended. Daphne slowly opened her Instagram. And there it was. The first post on her feed. [My boyfriend is the sweetest! I was scared of sleeping alone last night, so he came over to keep me company.] Chapter 4 The attached photo showed Luke holding Seraphine close, his gaze fixed on her as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Daphne took a deep breath and dialed his number. It rang for a long time before he picked up. "What's wrong, Daphne?" His voice was hoarse, as if he had been busy with something. "Are you coming home tonight?" "Luke, don't..." Suddenly, a soft, sultry voice drifted through the receiver, rich with teasing intimacy. Daphne froze, nausea rising in waves. There was a brief, fumbling silence before Luke shifted the phone away, his tone suddenly uneasy. "I'll probably be working late. Don't wait up." And then he hung up. Daphne forced herself to drink several gulps of water, but the nausea wouldn't fade. She rushed to the bathroom and dry-heaved until the sickness finally dulled to a distant ache. In all the time they had been together, Luke had barely touched her. She had never seen him lose control around her. Now, she understood. It was never about restraint. It was about who he was with. And she sure wasn't Seraphine. The rest of the day, she scrolled through social media like someone picking at an open wound, watching Luke wash Seraphine's hair, fold her clothes, cook her lunch—all the little things he used to dismiss as too troublesome to do for Daphne. Then there was the amusement park. The Ferris wheel. The kiss at its highest point. "They say if you kiss when the Ferris wheel reaches the top, you'll stay together forever." Daphne saved the photos. She thought, 'Luke, fine. I wish you two a lifetime together. May you never be apart.' He didn't come home until noon the next day. There was guilt in his eyes, barely concealed under a layer of practiced nonchalance. "Daphne, you don't look well. Did you not sleep last night?" He reached out to hold her, but she sidestepped him. The thought of where his arms had been just hours ago made her stomach churn. Her silence weighed heavily between them. Luke looked at her, an inexplicable tightness pressing against his chest. She was right in front of him, but she had never felt farther away. "Daphne, I know I've been neglecting you because of work. Our anniversary is coming up. I swear, I'll make it up to you. Let's celebrate properly, okay?" Daphne forced a smile. "Okay." Luke visibly relaxed, not bothering to think any further. When the day arrived, he was in an uncharacteristically good mood, making conversation on the way to the restaurant, coaxing her into laughter. It was a beautiful and romantic French place. Just as they had placed their orders, his phone rang. The name on the screen made his brows crease. He hesitated for only a moment before saying, "Daphne, I need to take this." She nodded. She already knew who that was. Not long after, he returned, wearing an expression of conflicted remorse. "Daphne, I'm so sorry. An executive from the company is making a surprise visit. I have to go back and handle it..." "Okay." She cut him off before he could finish his excuse. Luke blinked, momentarily speechless. "Work is important," she said gently. "You're doing this for our future. I understand." Relief washed over his face, gratitude even. "You're the best, Daphne. I promise I'll make it up to you next time." 'There won't be a next time, Luke,' Daphne thought. She sat alone, eating the cake she had ordered in advance. When her tears fell, they landed in the frosting. She took a bite. Bitter. Salty. Not sweet at all. Afterward, she started packing. She called a courier service to send off the things she had accumulated over five years. Clothes, books, stuffed animals, blankets—bags and bags filled with them, all going to the orphanage. She also gathered the gifts she and Luke had exchanged on holidays and anniversaries, stuffing them into a separate box for donation. Not a single item was a couple's set because Luke had always refused. "Daphne, I'm too old for that kind of thing. Couple sets are for kids. Don't make me do it, okay?" She had believed him. Until she saw the photos. Photos of matching hats, matching gloves, matching backpacks... With Seraphine, he didn't seem to mind at all. She was signing for the courier when Luke came home. He glanced at the packages in the truck. "Daphne, what are these?" Chapter 5 Daphne kept her expression neutral as she found an excuse. "Nothing special. There's too much stuff at home, so I packed up some things we don't use. I'm donating them to the orphanage." "That's nice," Luke replied simply before stepping through the door. His reaction made Daphne smile bitterly to herself. He really didn't care. The packages on the delivery truck were packed in clear bags. If he had paid even the slightest attention, he would have noticed that the so-called "things we don't use" were actually gifts and keepsakes that belonged to the two of them. Inside the house, many things were obviously missing, yet Luke didn't seem to notice at all. His eyes remained fixed on his phone, engrossed in conversation. Was he texting Seraphine? He had missed their anniversary, and perhaps feeling guilty, had tried to make up for it by showering her with gifts. But on that very same day, Daphne had seen a new post from Seraphine on Instagram. [Massive clearance sale! My boyfriend gave me way too many gifts, so I told him to take some back and sell them off. I'm such a thrifty and practical girlfriend! (P.S. Of course, I only got rid of the ones I didn't like.)] Daphne let out a soft laugh. Then, without hesitation, she dumped every single gift into the trash. Something in her stirred. So the next time Luke told her he had plans for dinner, she asked who he was meeting. At first, he remained calm. But when she said she wanted to join him, his expression changed. Left with no choice, he admitted, "Seraphine came back last month. We never got around to meeting up, so some of us old friends thought we'd throw a little welcome dinner for her. It's really just a friendly gathering—nothing else." Luke seemed eager to explain, but Daphne cut him off. "Of course. You and Seraphine are just friends. So as your girlfriend, wouldn't it be natural for me to join you in welcoming her?" For a moment, he wasn't sure if she was being sincere. But looking into her calm, unwavering gaze, he couldn't find a way to refuse. So, reluctantly, he agreed. At the restaurant, Daphne spotted Seraphine right away. She was radiant, full of energy, the kind of woman who commanded attention without trying. "Luke, you're here!" She greeted him warmly, throwing her arms around him in a casual embrace. Then, as if only just noticing Daphne, she quickly waved with an apologetic smile. "Oh! Daphne, you're here too. I was just so excited I didn't see you. You don't mind, right?" Daphne gave a light smile. "Not at all." "That's good. I was worried that since Luke and I are so close, you might misunderstand." Seraphine's voice carried a hint of smugness. Once they were seated, Daphne finally saw just how much Luke cared about Seraphine. He knew all of her preferences—every dish he picked for her was exactly what she liked. He paid attention to her every need, acting like a perfect gentleman. Meanwhile, his actual girlfriend might as well have been invisible. Daphne suddenly felt suffocated. She needed fresh air. The moment she stepped outside, Seraphine followed. She ran her fingers along the violet gemstone necklace around her neck, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "This necklace is worth 700 thousand dollars," she said. "Do you know why I didn't even have to put in any effort to get this?" Daphne's expression remained unreadable. "Why?" Seraphine smiled sweetly. "Because Luke wanted to give it to me. You know, I think I'm really happy right now. So happy that I wouldn't even mind dying like this." Daphne's lips curled into a small smile. "Is that so? Congratulations." Just then, Luke appeared, looking slightly concerned. "What are you two talking about?" Seraphine turned to him with an easy smile. "Luke, don't worry. I was just having a chat with Daphne." Luke hesitated for a moment before heading back inside. The moment he was gone, Seraphine's expression shifted. Gone was the delicate, innocent girl. In her place was someone crueler. "Daphne, don't delude yourself," she said coldly. "Even if Luke and I hadn't spoken in years, I've always been the one he truly cares about." Without a word, Daphne reached into her bag and discreetly switched on her recorder. "You love Luke that much?" she asked, her voice light. Daphne knew perfectly well that Seraphine was the kind of person who played both sides. Now that Luke wasn't around, she no longer bothered to hide her true colors. Seraphine scoffed. "Love? He's just a backup plan. But he's completely obsessed with me. I dumped him once, and still, all I have to do is crook my finger, and he'll come running back like a loyal little dog." Daphne's expression didn't change. "Aren't you afraid I'll tell him what you just said?" Seraphine smirked. "And you think he'd believe you? You and I both know that no matter what happens between us, he will always take my side." Daphne's breath hitched for a second. She knew it was true. Even if she told Luke everything, he wouldn't believe her. Just then, he called out to them again. Seraphine instantly switched back to her sweet, demure self. "Daphne, I had such a great time chatting with you! Let's go back inside together." Daphne said nothing. Luke glanced at her, as if trying to read something in her expression. But Daphne's face was calm, giving nothing away. Chapter 6 The three of them stepped back into the club. Just then, a waiter pushed in a massive bouquet of red roses. "Mr. Hardy, here are the 999 roses you ordered for Miss Seraphine Cox." In that instant, the atmosphere shifted. Luke's expression darkened first. Nine hundred ninety-nine roses symbolized an all-consuming love—anyone witnessing such a grand gesture would read into it. He stole a glance at Daphne, a flicker of unease in his eyes, but she remained unfazed. "Daphne, don't misunderstand. This is just to welcome Seraphine back—" "I know. You don't have to explain." Daphne smiled. Her reaction was so calm that even Luke hesitated, momentarily thrown off. Lately, he'd felt something off about Daphne—she was too serene, so at ease it was as if she had stopped caring altogether. Her gaze drifted to the enormous bouquet, then she recalled the flowers Luke had casually bought her at a roadside stall a few days ago. One was exquisite and luxurious; the other, careless and perfunctory. Just like in his heart—Daphne and Seraphine were worlds apart. She had once come across a handwritten letter from Luke on Seraphine's Instagram. In it, he had written how relieved he was that they had never been together. That back then, he had nothing to his name and would have only given her a life of hardship. On the other hand, Daphne had stayed by his side through those years of struggle, never wavering, never leaving. Yet he had never once given her a gift he had truly put thought into. What he did give her were things Seraphine had rejected. In Luke's eyes, she had always been just a substitute, something to pass the time while Seraphine wasn't around. At that moment, the towering building outside the window lit up, massive glowing words flashing across its surface: "Luke & Seraphine—Be Each Other's Light." Luke saw them, and his face instantly drained of color. "I—I can explain..." Panicked, Luke grabbed Daphne's wrist. Seraphine let out a soft cry, "Daphne! Please don't get the wrong idea! Luke and I are just really good friends!" But something inside Daphne cracked. A sharp, dull pain pressed against her chest, so suffocating she couldn't even force a smile. They were each other's light. Then what was she? An obstacle? An eyesore? She had thought she was past this, that nothing he did could hurt her anymore. But clearly, she had been wrong. Luke had never been a romantic man. He was even a little reserved. Once, all she had wanted was to hold his hand while walking down the street. But even that had been too much for him. "There are too many people. It wouldn't look good," he had said. Yet for Seraphine, he had been willing to spend a fortune, to make a grand confession in the heart of the city for all to see. In this story of love between them, Daphne was nothing but an unwanted third party. "Excuse me." Daphne picked up her bag and turned to leave. Luke immediately followed. "Daphne, listen to me—I have no feelings for Seraphine." "I know. It's fine." Her voice was calm, effortlessly cutting off every excuse he tried to give. Again, that unbearable feeling—the push and pull, the endless cycle of distance and false closeness. Luke's brows furrowed. As Daphne stepped away, Seraphine hurried after her, her voice laced with grievance. "Daphne, please, don't misunderstand—" She reached out, catching Daphne's hand. Before Daphne could react, the sharp sound of a slap rang through the air. Seraphine staggered backward, hitting the ground hard. Her hand flew to her cheek, her eyes wide with shock. "Daphne, why did you hit me?" Daphne froze, momentarily stunned by the sheer theatricality of it. Then, in the next breath, she understood exactly what Seraphine was doing. Luke rushed over. Daphne turned her head, meeting his gaze just as his face twisted into something unreadable—his expression shifting to one of cold fury. Instinctively, she reached for his hand, desperate to explain. "No—Luke, I didn't—" She had assumed he wouldn't fall for such an obvious trick. But there wasn't the slightest doubt in his eyes. He simply looked at her, then violently shook off her hand. The force of it sent her stumbling backward. The world spun for a moment before she hit the ground. Stunned, she stared up at him. In all their years together, he had never once laid a hand on her. And now, for Seraphine, he had. Tears blurred her vision before she could stop them. And then she laughed. Laughed at herself, at the absurdity of it all. Even if she was hurt, would it matter? His entire world, at this moment, revolved around Seraphine. He bent down, carefully helping Seraphine up. He gently pried her hand away from her cheek to check for any signs of injury. Only after a long moment did he finally exhale in relief. His voice was gentle. "Seraphine, don't cry. There's no mark. No one at the party will be able to tell." Then he turned to Daphne. His tone, now cold and sharp, cut through the air. "Daphne, you've gone too far. Apologize to Seraphine!" Chapter 7 Daphne sat frozen, as if her soul had drifted out of her body, watching the perfect couple across from her. Yes, a perfect couple. How ridiculous. Her boyfriend was confessing his love to another woman, and somehow, she—the one being framed—was expected to apologize. "What?" Luke didn't seem to hear her, maybe because her voice was too soft. She clenched her teeth, forcing back the tears threatening to spill over, and repeated, "I didn't… hit her." She hated how her voice trembled and how weak she sounded in front of him. But even if she showed her vulnerability, it was pathetic—because no one here would feel sorry for her. Seraphine sobbed pitifully. "I don't know what I did to upset you, Daphne. If it's because Luke threw me a welcome party, you could've just told me. I would've knelt and apologized. But today's gathering was organized by our friends, and yet, you still slapped me. I really…" Daphne shot up. "Drop the act!" Her glare was sharp. "You're wasting your talent not going into acting. You grabbed my hand and hit yourself—there should be security cameras here. Should I pull up the footage to expose you?" Seraphine froze for a split second, as if she hadn't expected her to mention surveillance cameras. Then, she started crying even harder. "Luke, you have to believe me. I'm not lying, I swear." The staff at the club stood hesitantly by the door, too frightened by the scene to step in. Daphne turned to one of them. "Go. Pull up the footage." But the staffer didn't move. Instead, she shifted her gaze toward Luke, hesitated, and then lowered her head. Daphne realized it then. Of course. Luke and Seraphine were the actual guests here. And she? To the staff, she was probably just a lunatic ruining someone else's good day. So naturally, they wouldn't listen to her. She turned to Luke. He was her last hope. "Luke, I didn't hit her. You know that. You saw her grabbing me…" If they checked the footage, he would see the truth. He would see Seraphine for who she really was. "No need." "What?" This time, she was the one who couldn't believe what she'd heard. "No need to check. I believe Seraphine." The staff let out a quiet sigh of relief. Before leaving, one of them even shot her a look—disgusted, contemptuous. That look stripped her bare, as if she'd been thrown, naked, into the middle of a crowded street. Humiliation crawled over her skin. A strange numbness took over her mind. Her throat was parched, as if it didn't belong to her anymore. "You believe her… which means you don't believe me?" Luke didn't look at her. "You shouldn't have come today. Go home." And suddenly, she understood. Of course, he knew the truth. He was smart—too smart not to see through Seraphine's act. But he didn't want to. He didn't want to call Seraphine out. Even if it meant letting her bear all the blame. Was this love? Was this what it meant to love someone deeply? Did Luke love Seraphine that much? She turned to Seraphine, who was smiling again—a victorious, gleeful smile. It stung. The sight of it made her eyes ache. At that moment, she wanted to cry. But no matter how hard she tried, the tears wouldn't come. She wasn't even sure how she left. She vaguely remembered the driver offering to take her home. She had refused. She wandered aimlessly for what felt like forever, until pain shot up from the soles of her feet. A raindrop struck her cheek. The downpour came fast, too fast for her to find shelter. In seconds, she was drenched. The sky turned misty, and the streets became empty. Cars rushed past, sending waves of water splashing against her. The scent of damp earth filled her nose. Her stomach churned. She crouched down in the rain, dry-heaving. Thankfully, the rain was heavy. No one could see just how pathetic she looked. Chapter 8 That night, Luke didn't come home. Daphne's phone was flooded with messages from him. Not a single one showed concern—only blame. [Daphne, Seraphine was admitted to the hospital with angina because of you. Get a gift and apologize now!] [Daphne, you're not an unreasonable or selfish girl. Don't make me disappointed in you!] [Daphne, answer me! I'll wait until tonight. Don't make me come back and drag you here myself!] Luke came home at ten. He stormed in, his expression dark, and yanked Daphne off the bed with a rough grip. His face was ice cold. "Why didn't you reply?" His voice was sharp, demanding. "Get up. You're coming with me to the hospital to apologize." "I'm not going. I didn't hit her." Daphne struggled, trying to pull her hand free, but the difference in strength between them was too great. There was no way she could break away. "You never used to treat me like this… But ever since Seraphine came back, you've changed." No matter what happened before, he had always taken her side. If she made mistakes, he took the blame for her. He couldn't even bear to scold her. But now? Everything was different. Luke hesitated, just for a second. Deep down, he knew he had changed. He knew he shouldn't be treating her this way. But when it came to Seraphine, he couldn't control himself. He didn't want Seraphine to suffer—not even a little. That evening at the hospital, he had listened to Seraphine recount the hardships she had endured overseas. It had been too much, too painful. And this time, Daphne was undeniably in the wrong. "I get that you're jealous," he said, "but since you hit her, you have to apologize." "I didn't. She grabbed my hand and hit herself with it." Luke frowned, thinking back to what he had seen. "Daphne, I was right there. I saw it with my own eyes. Even if I called your brother right now, he'd tell you to apologize. Now, come with me." In the end, Daphne was dragged into the car and taken to Seraphine's hospital room. Inside, Seraphine was lying on the hospital bed, casually scrolling through her phone. When she saw Daphne, a triumphant smirk flickered across her lips. "Apologize." Daphne turned her head away, lips pressed into a tight line. Stubborn. Silent. Seraphine sighed. "It's alright, Luke, it's not that big of a deal. Don't scare Daphne." Daphne didn't want to see their little display of affection. She turned to leave, but before she could take a step, dizziness overtook her. The world spun. She collapsed. … When Daphne woke up, she was still in the hospital. A doctor stood at her bedside. She had suffered a miscarriage. So… she had been pregnant with Luke's child? But in that moment, all she felt was relief. … She was discharged two days later. Maybe out of guilt, Luke never mentioned the apology again. During her recovery, he barely left her side. He even put work on hold, sticking to her like a shadow. It was something Daphne never could have imagined before. One evening, he asked if there was anywhere she wanted to go. She hesitated for a moment, then said, "I want to go hiking. You promised me a proper confession." Back when they first got together, he had vowed to give her a real confession of love—standing at the highest point in the city, declaring it to the world. But after they got together, he always found an excuse to put it off. Too busy. Too much work. She had always known the truth. It wasn't that he didn't want to say it. He just didn't want to say it to anyone but Seraphine. Now, before she left, she wanted to hear it—just once. A late confession, fulfilling the dream of her twenty-year-old self. Luke agreed immediately. They packed their bags and drove to the base of the mountain. Just as they were about to start their ascent, his phone rang. He answered, listening for only a few seconds before his expression changed. Hesitation flashed across his face. Then, he turned to her and said, "Sorry, Daphne…" "You're not going, are you?" she cut in, her voice eerily calm. Luke clenched his jaw, fighting off an inexplicable sense of unease, then gave a small nod. And just like that, he left, headed somewhere far away, chasing after a love he had never let go of. "Luke," she called out suddenly. He paused for the briefest moment. "Do you really have to go?" He hesitated, but he didn't turn around. Instead, he walked away, like a man rushing toward his destiny.