Never Lonely Again

"Mom, Dad, I've made up my mind. I'll go back and take over the family business." When Jaycie Stanton's parents heard that she had finally agreed, they were overjoyed on the other end of the phone. However, thoughts of her hidden identity and the boyfriend she had kept in the dark led them to ask, "Is your boyfriend coming back with you? Have you told him the truth about who you are?" "I haven't. I'm going to break up with him." Chapter 1 "Mom, Dad, I've made up my mind. I will go back and take over the family business." When Jaycie Stanton's parents heard that she had finally agreed, they were overjoyed on the other end of the phone. However, thoughts of her hidden identity and the boyfriend she had kept in the dark led them to ask, "Is your boyfriend coming back with you? Have you told him the truth about who you are?" "I haven't. I'm going to break up with him," Jaycie replied, her voice softening at the mention of Cole Benson. "I'll take care of everything here in a week." After a brief exchange, Jaycie ended the call and put her phone away before returning to the private room. The room was filled with people, and the chatter was loud. The moment she stepped inside, the conversation paused for a second, but Jaycie acted as if she didn't notice and walked straight to Cole, sitting beside him. He briefly turned his attention away from the conversation and looked at the quiet figure next to him. His voice was lazy and casual. "Babe, why was that phone call so long?" Before she could respond, another voice interrupted. There were no Frutunians in the room, but someone still asked in Frutunian, "Cole, when are you and Eileen getting married?" When Jaycie heard that, her grip on her glass tightened, her fingers turning pale from the pressure. Cole, however, remained indifferent, casting a glance at her before answering the question in Frutunian, "It's a date set by my family. Two weeks from now." Upon hearing this, everyone in the room turned their attention to Jaycie. One of the men raised an eyebrow, curiously asking, "If you're marrying Eileen, what about Jaycie? Are you breaking up with her?" "No." Cole shook his head, gently swirling his glass of wine. After a small sip, he continued, "The marriage is just to appease the family. The only one I love is Jaycie." As soon as he spoke, the room erupted into laughter, the teasing and joking filling the air. "Cole, are you serious? You're all about true love now? You two have such a huge difference in status. Are you really into her?" He turned to Jaycie, his eyes soft with affection, so intense that it almost felt like his gaze could melt everything around them. He didn't speak, but the look in his eyes was a clear answer to their teasing. Someone else, watching the exchange, couldn't help but comment, "Looks like he really does love her, huh? But wait—does she really not understand Frutunian?" The person had only asked casually, but the room burst into laughter. "Jaycie's family is struggling; there's no way she could afford to learn a minority language. Don't worry. She definitely doesn't understand." The mocking laughter echoed around Jaycie, but no one noticed the rapid rise and fall of her breath or the way her fingers had turned white around her glass. What they didn't know was that Jaycie actually understood Frutunian. The truth was, she wasn't from a struggling family. She was the only daughter of the richest family in Housleton. Jaycie and Cole had been together for five years, with Cole spoiling her like no one else, but there was one thing he had never done—introduce her to his parents. In the beginning, she thought it was because of the difference in their statuses. The Bensons were a prestigious family in Rochernia, after all. So, she had planned to reveal her true identity to him. She was the heiress to a fortune, but she didn't want to live under her parents' protection forever. That was why she had decided to hide who she was and go out into the world to experience life. But fate had other plans. Three days ago, she had found a wedding invitation in Cole's study. The bride was Eileen Wise. And the groom was Cole. It turned out that while he had been whispering sweet things in her ear, he had already agreed to a marriage arranged by his family. While he was calling her "Babe", he was also preparing to marry someone who was his equal in social status and approved by his family. At that moment, Jaycie realized there was no need to say anything more. He would marry, and she would go back to inherit her family's business. Both of them would have bright futures ahead. After a few rounds of drinks, everyone was having a good time, and the night was drawing to a close. They all started to leave, and Jaycie followed them out of the room. She had barely taken a few steps when she heard a stranger's voice behind her. "Ms. Stanton! Can I pitch my business idea to you again?" Chapter 2 Jaycie froze mid-step before turning her head to see who had called out to her. It was one of her father's former business partners, who had once begged for a collaboration with him. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly. She didn't want to reveal her identity and was trying to figure out how to slip away unnoticed when one of the guys trailing behind Cole glanced her up and down and let out a mocking laugh. "Did he say Ms. Stanton? He wants to pitch a business idea to Jaycie? Look at her—she's obviously a nobody. How could she be involved in any kind of business? What a joke." His words sparked a wave of laughter. They weren't speaking in Frutunian, so Jaycie could clearly understand their ridicule. Still, she kept her expression neutral, showing no reaction. Cole, however, wasn't as composed. He shot the guy a cold, warning glare. The man, sensing he'd crossed a line, quickly toned down his mockery, and the others, catching Cole's sharp look, gradually fell silent. The noise died down, and the man didn't follow them. Jaycie trailed behind Cole as they walked home in silence. Once inside, Cole hung his coat on the rack and finally broke the quiet. "Babe, I won't take you to those kinds of gatherings anymore." Her voice and expression remained calm, even though it felt like a subtle expulsion from his social circle. She simply asked, "Am I an embarrassment to you?" He chuckled softly while reaching out to ruffle her hair, but she dodged his hand. Sighing, he explained, "What are you talking about? I just don't want you to feel uncomfortable." "But there's a gap between us, Cole. Sooner or later, we'll face situations like this. Hasn't your family been pushing you to marry for alliances?" Jaycie watched him closely, searching for any hint of guilt in his expression. At the mention of an arranged marriage, Cole's face stiffened for a moment before he quickly regained his composure. "Jaycie, all you need to know is that I love you. Nothing else matters. As for the other issues, I will find ways to handle them." If she hadn't been paying close attention, she might have missed the flicker of unease in his eyes. After speaking, Cole headed to the bathroom to wash up. As she watched him walk away, she couldn't help but wonder if what he meant by "handling other issues" was marrying one woman according to his family's wishes while keeping another on the side. Not far away, Cole's phone on the nightstand buzzed with a notification. Since she knew his passcode, she unlocked it easily and glanced at the message. It was from Eileen. [Cole, we're meeting each other's parents tomorrow. If you don't stay with me tonight, they might figure out our coming marriage is a sham. I know you love your girlfriend, but for the next few days, can you at least give me some dignity?] Though the message sounded pleading, Jaycie saw through Eileen's intentions. She was using their parents as an excuse to keep Cole close. And what would come next? More excuses, more demands, until the lines blurred completely. But none of that mattered to Jaycie anymore. She had already decided to leave. With a calm resolve, she marked the message as unread and placed the phone back where it belonged. Moments later, Cole emerged from the bathroom and picked up his phone. After a quick glance, he turned to her with an apologetic look. "Jaycie, something urgent came up at work. I need to head out tonight. Get some rest, okay?" He left in a hurry, too preoccupied to notice her lack of reaction. In the past, she would have walked him to the door, pouting and complaining, hoping he'd stay a little longer. But this time, she simply watched him leave without a word. The moment Cole was gone, her own phone buzzed with a message. [With just one word from me, Cole comes running. Tomorrow, we're meeting each other's parents. Once we're married, what will you be? A secret mistress?] Eileen's words were cruel, but what hurt Jaycie more was the realization that the knife being used to wound her had been handed over by the man she once thought she could trust with her life. Cole might not have known, but even if she hadn't found the wedding invitation, his plans wouldn't have stayed hidden for long. The day after she discovered the invitation, Eileen had found her on social media and had been bombarding her with taunting photos ever since—pictures of Cole helping her try on wedding dresses, of them picking out rings and touring wedding venues. Each image chipped away at her love for Cole until there was nothing left. That night, Cole didn't return, and Jaycie didn't care. The next morning, she washed up, went to the office, and handed in her resignation. During lunch, she ate with her colleagues, and when one of them jokingly asked if she was leaving to "inherit the family business", Jaycie simply nodded. "Yeah, that is exactly what I’m gonna do." Her colleagues laughed, thinking it was a joke. They didn't take her seriously, and Jaycie, reacting with a smile, didn't elaborate either. After lunch, she packed her belongings into a box and carried it home. When she walked in, Cole was there. Seeing her with the box, he frowned. "You quit?" She nodded before heading toward the bedroom. He stopped her, his brow furrowed. "But you loved that job. Why quit so suddenly?" Jaycie paused, turning to him with a smile. "Because there's something else I want to do now." Chapter 3 When she said this, Cole didn't press further. Instead, he replied, "If work gets too exhausting, just stay home. It hurts me to see you working yourself to the bone. You know I can take care of you." Jaycie shook her head, her words deliberate. "I'm not anyone's accessory." Cole was taken aback. "What do you mean, accessory?" Not wanting to answer, Jaycie changed the subject. "Why are you back so early today? Didn't you have work?" "I've been so busy lately, and I haven't had time to spend with you. So today, I thought I'd make some time." His expression softened, and he was back to being the doting boyfriend she once knew. "What do you want to do? Dinner? A movie? Whatever you want, I'm all yours today." The old Jaycie might have been touched. After all, she knew he was the heir to Benson Corp, and his workload was no joke. The fact that he was willing to set aside time for her would have been proof that she meant something to him. But now, as she looked at him, she couldn't help but wonder—was he really busy with work, or was he busy preparing for a wedding? How could he sit here, telling her she was the only one he loved, while planning a future with someone else? Still, she didn't call him out on his lies. After all, it was only a matter of days now. Soon, she would vanish from his life without a trace. She shook her head, rejecting his suggestions. After a moment of thought, she asked, "How about we do a deep clean of the house? There's a lot of old stuff lying around that we don't need anymore." Cole agreed, and together they began sorting through the clutter. But as they worked, it became clear that most of what Jaycie was tossing out were the matching couple items they'd bought together—mugs, accessories, clothes, even slippers. One by one, she threw them into the trash without hesitation. As the pile of discarded memories grew, Cole's smile began to falter. By the time the last item hit the trash, his unease was impossible to hide. "Jaycie… do you know something?" "Know what? Are you hiding something from me?" She raised an eyebrow, deflecting his question with one of her own. He looked away, unable to meet her gaze. After a long silence, he still didn't answer directly. Instead, he grabbed her hand and said, "Jaycie, no matter what happens, just remember you're the one I love." She gave a faint smile but said nothing more. After the cleaning, Cole insisted on taking Jaycie out for a date. Not wanting to raise his suspicions, she didn't refuse. They had dinner, watched a movie, and then he drove them to an auction house. As they were about to enter, a young woman approached them. She was in a chic Chanel-style suit and wore flawless makeup. Cole's expression flickered with discomfort, and Jaycie noticed immediately. "What's wrong? Do you know her?" Before he could answer, the woman stopped in front of them, smiling warmly. Cole quickly introduced her. "This is Eileen, the daughter of a family friend." After a pause, he gestured to Jaycie. "And this is my girlfriend, Jaycie." The stark difference in how he introduced them made Eileen's smile falter for a moment, but she quickly recovered and extended her hand to Jaycie. "I've heard so much about you. It's true what they say—you're stunning." As they exchanged pleasantries, the same group of guys who had mocked Jaycie in Frutunian appeared. Out of her line of sight, they winked at Cole, making it clear that this "chance encounter" was anything but accidental. Cole's anger simmered, but he couldn't make a scene without raising more questions. Frustrated, he swallowed his irritation and tried to keep the peace. At the auction, Eileen was seated right next to Cole. Unlike her provocative messages, she was poised and knowledgeable in person. Discovering Cole's interest in ceramics, she engaged him in a lively discussion. Gradually, Cole's initial reluctance faded, and he found himself leaning closer to her. It wasn't until Jaycie coughed softly that Cole remembered he'd been neglecting her. He quickly draped his jacket over her shoulders, his voice tender. "Are you cold? Is this better? I know this isn't your thing, but if you see something you like, just bid on it." Before she could respond, the whispers from his friends behind them reached her ears. Though they tried to keep their voices low, the seats were close enough for Jaycie to hear every word. "Cole's really good at saving face for Jaycie. Even if she were interested, she wouldn't know what to do. She probably doesn't even know how to raise a paddle, hahaha!" "Yeah, this is probably her first time at an upscale auction. She's way out of her depth." Chapter 4 The group of men spoke in low tones, but their words carried a sharp edge, and the occasional glances they threw Jaycie's way made it clear their comments were meant for her ears. She didn't react, though. Soon enough, they'd be standing before her, addressing her respectfully due to her real identity. The auction continued, and the next item was brought to the stage—a crystal sculpture named "Timeless Harmony". The piece was exquisite, made from high-quality crystal, but what really caught everyone's attention was the auctioneer's announcement that it was the work of Castiel Rivero, the legendary master of crystal sculpture. Eileen's eyes lit up when she heard Castiel's name. She immediately raised her bidding paddle and turned to Cole. "This piece has incredible value! Your grandmother's birthday is the day after tomorrow. This would be perfect as a gift for her!" Jaycie, who had glanced up at the sculpture when Castiel's name was mentioned, quickly looked away. Her voice was calm but carried a weight that seemed to douse Eileen's excitement. "It's a fake." Eileen stared at her, disbelief written all over her face. She was about to snap back with something like, "What would you know, you country bumpkin?" But with Cole sitting right there, she forced a polite smile instead. "And how would you know that, Ms. Stanton?" Jaycie replied evenly, "Because the real one was given by the heiress of the Stantons to her grandmother." There was only one authentic piece in the world, and it was in her family's possession. The one on the stage had to be a counterfeit. Jaycie had meant it as a simple warning, but Eileen burst into laughter, and the group of men behind them joined in, their mocking voices growing louder. "Jaycie, if you don't know what you're talking about, just keep quiet. You're embarrassing yourself." "Yeah, and what, were you hiding under the bed when the Stanton heiress gave it to her grandma? Or do you think just because your last name is Stanton, you're somehow related to the great Stanton family?" Their laughter and jeers grew until Cole finally shut them down with a cold glare. He turned to Jaycie, taking her hand in his. "Jaycie, I know you've been reading up on art appreciation lately, but you can't learn everything from books. Eileen's been attending auctions since she was a kid, and she's studied crystal sculptures extensively. She knows what she's talking about." His words weren't harsh, but the implication was clear—he thought she was wrong. Jaycie simply smiled and said nothing. In the end, Eileen spent a staggering 15 million to win the bid for the sculpture. As she swiped her card to complete the purchase, Jaycie couldn't help but chuckle. She wondered how Cole's grandmother would react when she found out her gift was a fake. Jaycie didn't intervene or dwell on it. She excused herself to the restroom. As she washed her hands, a familiar voice rang out behind her. "Jaycie, I thought I made myself clear. Yet here you are, still clinging to him. Are you really that desperate to be a mistress?" The voice was sharp and cutting, a far cry from the poised and gentle demeanor Eileen had displayed earlier. Jaycie turned to face her, her expression calm. "Ms. Wise, let's get one thing straight. I've been with him for five years. If anyone's a mistress, it's not me." She moved to leave, but Eileen wasn't done. "Five years, and he still hasn't married you. Ever wonder why? I'm the Wises' heiress, and he's the heir to Benson Corp. We're a perfect match. But you? What do you have? A father who gambles and a sick mother. Your family's a mess. What could you possibly offer him?" Jaycie froze. The story about her family was one she'd made up on a whim, but she hadn't expected Cole to share it with Eileen. A bitter smile tugged at her lips. If her background were truly that bleak, then her so-called boyfriend—the one who claimed to love only her—had handed Eileen yet another weapon to hurt her with. "You're right," Jaycie said, the ache in her heart sharp but fleeting. "I'm not good enough for him. You two are perfect for each other. I hope you'll be very happy together." With that, she walked away. Not long after, her phone rang. It was her mother, Andrea Stanton. "Jaycie, you need to come home soon. The whole family's waiting for you, and we've got so many gifts for you! Your father and I bought you a castle overseas. Megan got you a diamond tiara—apparently, it once belonged to the Queen of Angloland. And your uncle filled an entire garage with luxury cars for you…" As Andrea rambled on about the extravagant gifts awaiting her, Jaycie couldn't help but laugh. "Mom, I'm coming back to take over the family business, not to bankrupt it." Just as she finished speaking, a familiar voice came from behind her. "What do you mean, 'take over the family business'?" Chapter 5 Jaycie froze mid-step, instinctively ending the call. She couldn't help but wonder why everyone seemed to enjoy sneaking up behind her and speaking out of nowhere. Turning around, she saw Cole standing there, his expression far from pleasant. After a moment of hesitation, she explained, "It's nothing. Just an old colleague asking what I'm planning to do after quitting my job. I joked that I was going home to inherit the family business." Cole frowned. Jaycie wasn't the type to make such jokes. Something felt off, but before he could press further, she had already taken a few steps ahead and called back to him, "Aren't you coming? There are still a few jewelry pieces left to be auctioned." Assuming she wanted to buy some jewelry, Cole nodded and followed her. Back in the auction hall, Cole bid on several high-end jewelry pieces, winning them all. Once they were packaged, he handed them to Jaycie. She looked down at the boxes and said softly, "I don't wear jewelry like this." Cole smiled, ruffling her hair. "You'll get used to it. Don't worry about the cost. I'll buy you diamonds for the rest of your life." She opened her mouth to respond but decided against it. The truth was, she didn't wear million-dollar jewelry—her own collection was worth billions. As the auction ended, the attendees began to disperse. Cole and Jaycie's group also prepared to leave. Everyone had driven separately, so they were ready to head home. But just as Cole and Jaycie got into their car, before he could even start the engine, Eileen tapped on the passenger-side window. The window rolled down, revealing her shy, delicate face. Her voice was soft and sweet, a stark contrast to the sharp, cutting tone she'd used with Jaycie in the restroom. "Cole, my car broke down. Could you give me a ride home?" Cole frowned, about to refuse, but she quickly added, "Your parents did say you should look after me. You haven't forgotten, have you?" His expression darkened, and after a moment, he reluctantly agreed. Seeing his nod, Eileen smiled. She then turned her attention to Jaycie, her tone dripping with false concern. "But I get carsick. I can't sit in the back. What should we do?" Cole glanced at Jaycie, but before he could say anything, she had already opened the car door, stepped out, and moved to the back seat. Her movements were so smooth that Cole barely had time to react before she was settled in the back. His words caught in his throat, leaving him frustrated. He wanted to say it was just a seat—it wasn't a big deal. But when he glanced at her through the rearview mirror, she had already closed her eyes, as if she were resting. Eileen, now seated in the front, smirked as she looked back at Jaycie. Even if Cole still loved Jaycie now, Eileen was confident that everything she wanted would end up in her hands. Winning his heart was only a matter of time. Feeling pleased with herself, Eileen turned to Cole, her voice sweet and demure. "Ms. Stanton seems tired. Let her rest for a while." Sensing Jaycie's unusual behavior, Cole remained quiet and nodded before starting the car in silence. Jaycie must have dozed off at some point, because when she woke up, the car was parked in the Bensons' garage, and Eileen was long gone. Cole gently touched her cheek. "You're awake? You were sleeping so soundly. I didn't want to wake you." Still groggy, Jaycie nodded and stepped out of the car, heading straight for the front door without waiting for Cole. By the time he caught up, she was already at the entrance. He blocked her path, his voice soft. "Are you angry? Eileen's just a family friend. Don't take it to heart." Jaycie hummed in response. Thinking she was still upset, Cole reached out to hold her hand, his voice low and coaxing. "She's really just a family friend. Babe, you know I only love you." As he spoke, the faint scent of roses from her skin reminded him how long it had been since they'd been close. His throat tightened, and he leaned in to kiss her, but she pushed him away. Ignoring his surprised expression, Jaycie stepped inside. "It's that time of the month. I'm not feeling well, so I'm going to rest in my room." She then walked into her room and locked the door, keeping Cole outside. The next morning, Jaycie and Cole were having breakfast in the dining room when her phone buzzed. It was an alarm she'd set weeks ago, labeled "Meeting the Parents". Cole noticed the notification. Jaycie had planned to reveal her true identity to him and suggested taking him to meet her parents. He had agreed. Their eyes met, and Jaycie was about to suggest canceling the meeting when his phone rang. It was Eileen. After a brief conversation, Cole wore a troubled look. He turned to Jaycie with an apologetic smile. "Jaycie, something urgent came up. Can we reschedule the meeting with your parents for another time?" Chapter 6 Cole had expected her to be upset or even angry, but instead, she simply nodded calmly. "Alright. I actually have some things to take care of today too." Not long after Cole left, Jaycie also headed out. She went shopping, picking out gifts for each of her close friends whom she was planning to meet later. When they gathered at the designated spot, her friends unwrapped the presents and gasped in shock—each box contained a brand-new luxury item. "Jaycie, where did you get all these knockoffs? They look so real!" "They're not knockoffs. They're genuine." Seeing their disbelief, she couldn't help but laugh. She then revealed her true identity. "Actually, the story I told you about my father gambling and my mother being seriously ill was made up. I'm actually the only daughter of the richest family in Housleton. I'm saying goodbye because I'm going home to inherit the family fortune." Her friends were stunned at first, then shocked, and finally overjoyed. They couldn't stop exclaiming, "I can't believe an heiress has been right here with us all along!" Their excitement was so loud it felt like the restaurant's ceiling might collapse. Once the initial excitement died down, someone remembered Cole and asked, "But what about Cole? Does he know your real identity?" At the mention of Cole, Jaycie froze slightly, her smile fading. "He's planning to marry someone else." "What? No way!" Her friends were in disbelief. "He's always been so devoted to you. We've never seen anyone so head over heels for someone." "Yeah, remember three years ago when you said you liked the Queen of the Night? He spent a fortune buying every single one of that plant he could find just to make you smile. And two years ago, when you caught the flu, he canceled a billion-dollar deal abroad and flew back to take care of you himself. He stayed up all night, refusing to sleep." "And then a year ago, when you were in that car accident—the truck was heading straight for your side, but he swerved to protect you. You walked away without a scratch, but he broke three ribs and was in the hospital for three months, barely waking up. How could he marry someone else now? It doesn't make sense!" Hearing her friends recount these memories, Jaycie felt a wave of emotion. Back then, Cole had loved her so much he would have given his life for her. But now... She shook her head and smiled faintly. "He did love me, but his family thinks I'm not good enough for him and forced him to marry someone else. I didn't even get a chance to tell him the truth before he had the wedding invitations printed. From what he's said, he probably expects me to be his mistress after he's married." Her friends were outraged. "What? A mistress?" "He wants the heiress of the richest family to be a mistress? He must've lost his mind!" "Oh, he's going to regret this big time. Just wait until he realizes what he's lost!" "Yeah, when he finds out you've left and your true identity is revealed, his family is going to lose it!" Just then, Cole and Eileen walked into the restaurant. Hearing the commotion, Cole frowned. "What true identity?" Seeing them walk in together, one of Jaycie's friends was about to lash out, but Jaycie stopped her. She looked at Cole and Eileen, her expression cool. "What are you doing here?" Cole looked uneasy, avoiding her gaze. "The Bensons and the Wises have a business collaboration to discuss, so we arranged to meet." Jaycie smiled knowingly. Of course she knew about their "collaboration"—it was a marriage arrangement, after all. Because they were there to discuss their "collaboration", Cole and Eileen didn't join Jaycie and her friends. Instead, they sat at a separate table nearby, close enough for Jaycie to see their intimate interactions. He cut her steak for her, and she shared her favorite dishes with him; he handed her a napkin, then she wiped a smudge from the corner of his mouth... The back-and-forth between them made Jaycie's friends furious, but Jaycie herself remained calm, her expression unreadable. Chapter 7 After the meal, Jaycie and her friends parted ways, and Cole offered to drive both her and Eileen home. Perhaps remembering the earlier incident with the front seat, Cole had learned his lesson. This time, he brought out the family’s limousine, complete with a chauffeur, eliminating any need for a front-seat debate. The car glided smoothly toward the Wises’ residence, the ride uneventful. No one could have predicted what would happen next. Out of nowhere, a speeding, out-of-control truck barreled toward them from the opposite direction. The driver instinctively swerved, but with a deafening crash, the two vehicles collided. As the windows shattered and the force of the impact threw Jaycie to the side, she caught a glimpse of Cole shielding Eileen in his arms, protecting her from harm. He was gently patting her back and soothing her, his focus entirely on her. Jaycie’s consciousness began to fade, and at that moment, she remembered the accident her friends had mentioned earlier. It had been during their fourth year together, when his love for her was still at its peak. It had been at an intersection just like this, with a truck speeding toward them. Her side of the car had been in the direct path of the collision. In a split second, realizing they couldn’t avoid the truck, Cole had forcefully turned the wheel, putting himself in harm’s way instead. The front of the car had crumpled, trapping him in the driver’s seat. It had taken firefighters and doctors working together to free him. He had nearly died that day, but even when he woke up, his first words had been to ask if she was okay. Now, in a similar accident, the person he instinctively protected was no longer her. The rear of the car was a mangled mess. Once everyone had gotten out of the car, Cole, who had been comforting Eileen, finally noticed Jaycie. She was standing silently, holding a hand to her bleeding forehead. Fortunately, her injuries weren’t severe, and after being treated at the hospital, she was declared fine. However, because the injury was to her head, the doctor recommended she stay for observation for a couple of days. Cole looked at the bandage on her head, his face filled with guilt. "Jaycie, I’m so sorry. Eileen and I have an upcoming collaboration, and we have to attend some events together, so her face couldn’t be injured. That was why I protected her. You can hit me, yell at me—I’ll take it all. Just don’t shut me out, okay?" His apology seemed sincere, and his reasoning almost made sense—if Jaycie hadn’t known the wedding was less than two weeks away. The event he mentioned was likely the wedding. She kept her eyes down, neither accepting nor rejecting his apology. Her expression remained unreadable, calm and detached. Cole continued to apologize, his words tumbling out in a rush. Suddenly, as if he was struck by an idea, his eyes lit up with hope. "Your birthday is coming up in a few days. Let me give you your gift early, okay? What do you want? I’ll buy you anything." At this, she finally looked up at him, her gaze steady and emotionless. "Then buy me a plane ticket to Housleton, three days from now." "Housleton? What for?" He was surprised but quickly supplied his own answer. "Do you want to go on a trip?" Jaycie didn’t explain. She simply nodded and said, "Yeah." Cole didn’t press further. Right there in front of her, he pulled out his phone and booked a ticket to Housleton. After completing the purchase, he added, "I’ve been really busy lately, so I can’t go with you. But you go ahead and enjoy Housleton. When I have time, I’ll join you. A plane ticket is too small for a birthday gift. I’ll make it up to you with a bigger surprise later." Jaycie shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "It’s not small. Not at all." After all, this plane ticket was her ticket home. She wanted to thank Cole for the gift—for sending her home with his own hands. Chapter 8 During the two days Jaycie spent in the hospital, Cole seemed to revert to the attentive, caring man he had been at the start of their relationship. But, as expected, his attentiveness didn't last. It ended the day she was discharged. He claimed he had urgent business at the office and arranged for the driver to take her home. Not long after, she received a taunting message from Eileen. [Sorry. Since Cole and I are getting married, he's taking me to the family estate for dinner today and won't have time to pick you up from the hospital.] Jaycie didn't let the message bother her. She quietly went home and began packing her things. On the day of her departure, she woke up early. Seven hours before her flight, she was hauling her suitcases out the door when she ran into Cole, who had just returned. Seeing the pile of luggage at the entrance, he paled, and a wave of unease washed over him. "What's all this?" "Didn't I say I was going to Housleton for a trip? You even bought the ticket for me. Did you forget?" Her tone was casual, as if she were really just preparing for a short vacation. But her explanation didn't convince him. "Isn't it just for a couple of days? Why so much luggage?" Jaycie smiled faintly. "Girls like to pack extra clothes for photos. You know how it is." But she had never been one to take many photos, and on past trips, she had never brought so much luggage. His unease grew, spreading through him like a cold wave. He was tempted to open her suitcases right then and there to see if she was telling the truth. Just as he was about to act, his phone rang urgently. It was Eileen. After answering, he listened in silence for a moment, then reluctantly left, but not without turning back to remind Jaycie, "Don't be gone too long. Send me your return flight details, and I'll pick you up." She didn't respond because she knew she wasn't coming back. This was their final goodbye. Five hours before her flight, she changed the passcode on the front door. She replaced her own birthday with Eileen's, then stuck a note on the door. [Since this will soon be Ms. Wise's home, it's only fitting that the passcode be her birthday.] Three hours before her flight, she gathered all the photos of her and Cole from around the house and tossed them into a fire pit. There were pictures of him holding her under a sky full of fireworks, kissing her and declaring she was his. Photos of him kneeling under a starry sunset, vowing to love her forever. Memories of him breaking three ribs to save her from a car crash, remembering her menstrual cycle, and filling his social media with her. They had shared springs, summers, autumns, and winters together. Now, as the memories burned to ash, so did their relationship. Two hours before her flight, her phone buzzed. It was a video from Eileen. The video appeared to be from a family dinner, with Cole's friends, Eileen's close companions, and both sets of parents gathered around. The crowd was cheering, urging Cole and Eileen to kiss. "Kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss her!" "Come on, Cole. The wedding's in a few days! Don't be shy. You can't wait for the girl to make the first move!" Amid the cheers, Eileen, her cheeks flushed, closed her eyes and leaned in. The crowd erupted as Cole cupped the back of her head and kissed her deeply. The video played on a loop. By the seventh replay, Eileen sent another message. [Jaycie, did you see? I'm the one everyone recognizes as the future Mrs. Benson. With your family's background, the Bensons would never accept you. Someone like you would be lucky to marry a beggar. [Cole might love you, but his defenses are crumbling. First, he met my parents, then my friends. Now we're living together, and he just kissed me. How long do you think it'll be before we take the next step?] Jaycie didn't reply. Instead, she printed out every taunting message Eileen had sent her over the past few days, compiling them into a stack and leaving them on the empty living room table. One hour before her flight, she added a final note to the pile. [Cole, congratulations on getting married. We're done.] Then, she dragged her suitcases out of the villa, hailed a cab, and sped off toward the airport. She would return to being the heiress of the wealthiest family. And Cole would mean nothing to her.