He Deserved the Price of Choosing Her Over Me

Third Person's POV The gentle snowfall had turned into a blizzard and the howling wind blurred everything ahead. But Starlet kept walking, aimless, lost—like a deer that had strayed too far from home. As she wandered, her mind drifted back to the past, to memories she had buried long ago. She met Aldrich during the darkest year of her high school life. She was the school’s top student—brilliant but poor, while he was the wealthy, charming golden boy. The kind of person who belonged in a world far from hers. Clearly, they should have never crossed paths. But fate had other plans. The day their lives intertwined, she had been beaten so badly by bullies that she could barely stand. Then, out of nowhere, he appeared. Like a hero descending from the heavens, Aldrich pulled her from the fists and kicks, carrying her away on his back. Her leg had been broken, her body battered, but he never once hesitated. He carried her for miles. That day, the snow was heavy. But for the first time, it felt warm. What came after felt natural. She became his girlfriend. He never once looked down on her for the scars she bore from years of bullying. Instead, he cherished her, adored her, and turned her into the most envied girl in school. He celebrated every special occasion with her, always surprising her with something thoughtful, something grand. And those who had tormented her? He made sure they paid. He exposed their cruelty, ruined their reputations, and left them with no choice but to transfer schools. Their love lasted ten years. From the innocence of youth to the harsh reality of adulthood, Aldrich’s devotion never faded. If anything, it only grew stronger. On their fifth anniversary, after he had become a CEO, he bought five asteroids and named them after her—"Starlet"—because he wanted her to be the brightest star in everyone’s eyes. On their ninth anniversary, he set up a global livestream to capture him kneeling before her with the Angel Heart Ring, making a lifelong promise to her, and asking her to become his wife. Everyone said she was the luckiest woman in the world. And she had believed it, too. Then, two months before their wedding, his plane suddenly crashed overseas. Fortunately, he survived. But when he woke up, he had forgotten only one person. Her. The news shattered her and she collapsed on the spot. When she came to, she made a choice. She would do whatever it took to bring his memories back. She begged anyone who might help. She swallowed her pride, even seeking out the very people who had once tormented her. They humiliated her, made her kneel, threw every insult they could think of—but she endured it all. For him. For their love. But in the end, it had all been a lie. A twisted, cruel game of deceit. The sharp ring of her phone yanked her out of her haze. Barely thinking, she answered. “Miss Bennett, your sister’s condition has worsened. She doesn’t have much time left.” “How long?” “Half a month.” The words echoed in her mind and a dull ache settled in her chest. Everything from earlier—the lies, the betrayal—flashed through her mind. Her already pale face turned even colder, but her voice was steady when she spoke. “Dr. Erickson, I need a favor.” After a pause, Travis Erickson replied, “What is it?” “In half a month, instead of Talia..." She exhaled slowly and continued, "Make it appear that I'm the one who died." Dragging her exhausted, frozen body home, she stripped off her damp clothes and slipped into the bathtub. She curled up inside, letting the warmth of the water wash over her. Memories then surfaced, as relentless as the waves. Ever since their parents’ divorce, she and her sister, Talia Bennett, had been nothing more than a burden to them. Especially Talia, who was born weak, and constantly sick, living her life between hospital rooms and medication. She never even had the chance to go to school. Their parents had long since abandoned them. Only their grandmother had stayed. Only she had loved them unconditionally, working herself to the bone just to raise them. But later, she was gone, too. And so, Starlet learned to survive.

Third Person's POV Talia hated the sterile smell of hospitals, so Starlet moved her to a private care facility. Talia also didn’t like being around people, so even after ten years of being with Aldrich, Starlet never once mentioned her. That’s why, when she heard her sister didn’t have much time left, the idea of taking her place became her escape plan. Emerging from the water, she stood in front of the mirror. Slowly, her own pale face blurred, merging with her sister’s. A soft, almost peaceful smile spread across her lips. Once she was gone, it wouldn’t matter where she went or what she did—Aldrich would never be able to find her again. She would disappear from his life forever. That night, after booking a flight overseas for two weeks later, she slept more soundly than she had in months. The next morning, after breakfast, she began clearing out everything that reminded her of Aldrich. The gifts he had given her, the surprises he had planned, the photo albums filled with memories. Seven or eight full boxes of love and nostalgia, all of it thrown away, one piece at a time, until nothing was left. Just as she was hauling the last box outside, a sleek, limited-edition Tesla pulled up to the curb. Hearing the sound, Starlet instinctively turned around—only to lock eyes with Aldrich. His usual sharp, arrogant gaze met hers, but he wasn’t alone. A woman draped herself over his arm, her makeup flawless, her outfit seductive. They stood together in the open, making no effort to hide. Even after seeing her, neither of them flinched. Starlet knew exactly what Aldrich was thinking. He assumed that because she loved him, she would forgive everything he did while he was "lost" in his amnesia. But no matter how deep a love ran, it would run dry eventually. And Starlet had never been the kind of person to tolerate betrayal. Deception, infidelity—those were the things she despised most in life. Especially when the woman in his arms was the one person she hated more than anyone. Her grip on the box tightened as she stared at Eileen Malone, the ringleader of her high school tormentors. From the moment she stepped onto campus, Eileen and her group had made her their target. Every cruel trick, every vicious prank—they had all been inflicted on her. For years, her body was never free of bruises. She had tried to fight back once, but it only made things worse. The final straw came when a classmate casually complimented her looks. That was all it took for Eileen to snap. She and her lackeys cornered Starlet in the bathroom, holding scissors and a lighter, ready to burn her hair and scar her face forever. Panicked, she had no choice but to jump out the window. Luckily, she survived, but the price was a deep, jagged scar on her right cheek. Eileen’s wealthy family had thrown a hundred thousand bucks at her to keep her quiet. And for Talia’s sake, she took it. But when she watched her abuser walk away unscathed, boarding a plane to study abroad, she had never felt so much hate. And Aldrich knew all of this. He knew Eileen was her nightmare. He knew she still woke up screaming from those memories. Yet here he was—parading around with her like it was nothing. The weight of all the lies and betrayal crashed down on her, filling her with disgust. She didn’t want to waste another second on these two. Without hesitation, she lifted the last box and threw it into the trash. Out of the corner of his eye, Aldrich saw what she was throwing away. His expression darkened, and in an instant, he stepped forward, his voice tense. “Why are you throwing all of this away? Don’t you remember—I gave you all of this—” Starlet cut him off with a smirk, her tone laced with mockery. “I thought you lost your memory? How do you still remember these things?” The moment the words left her lips, Aldrich’s heart sank. For the first time, he realized his mistake. His throat went dry, and he quickly cleared it, forcing a smirk in an attempt to mask his slip-up.

Third Person's POV "How could I possibly remember? Simply judging by how broke you look, I doubt you could afford any of these expensive things. You also said I used to like you. So if those aren't from me, then who else could’ve given you all this?" He arrogantly answered. Then crossing his arms, he scoffed, "But don't get any ideas. I don’t care what you do—what’s in the past is in the past. I’ll never fall for you again. My heart belongs to Eileen now. After all, we’ve been childhood sweethearts since the beginning." 'Childhood sweethearts?' Starlet echoed inwardly, hitting her like a slap. She had no idea there was a deeper connection between them. If that was the case, then what about the day he saved her all those years ago? Was it really a coincidence, or had it been planned all along? Everything they’d shared—the warmth, the laughter, the whispered promises—how much of it had been real? And how much of it had been a lie? The memories and the betrayal twisted together like claws, tearing through her already shattered heart. She turned her cold gaze to Eileen. The woman was dressed to perfection, her fox-like eyes filled with smug satisfaction. Then, as if to drive the knife deeper, Eileen wrapped her arms around Aldrich’s neck and kissed him. "Aldrich, didn’t you say you weren’t close to her? Why is she still here?" she pouted. Aldrich chuckled, pinching her nose playfully. "Relax, she’s not living in our villa. She stays next door." And he wasn’t wrong. Ever since Aldrich lost his memory, he had refused to acknowledge his relationship with Starlet. He had even ordered the servants to throw out her belongings. At the time, she had been relieved that three months ago, he had put a villa and a sports car under her name. But looking back now, it was clear—it had all been premeditated. Ignoring the couple, Starlet turned and walked away. Aldrich’s gaze followed her retreating figure, an uneasy feeling creeping into his chest. His heart pounded erratically, like something important was slipping through his fingers. Something wasn’t right. 'Starlet hates Eileen. Shouldn’t she be jealous? Angry? Shouldn’t she be confronting me, demanding an explanation? Why is she so calm?' Aldrich wondered. After a brief pause, he assumed, 'Could it be… she's only holding back because I've lost my memory? Is she only suppressing her emotions for my sake?' Even so, a sharp pang of guilt still hit him. As such, he decided that once he was done having fun, he would make it up to her. He would spend the rest of his life making her the happiest woman in the world. That evening, Starlet took a walk down the quiet streets, holding onto Bowie’s leash. Bowie, a golden retriever, had been Aldrich’s first birthday gift to her. Over the past ten years, they had raised him like their own child. Although she had thrown away everything else, she couldn’t bring herself to abandon him. As they strolled along the familiar path, she waited until the streets were empty before unclipping the leash and letting Bowie run free. Watching him sprint around with boundless energy, a small smile tugged at her lips for the first time that day. But just as she was about to call him back, a sudden blinding light made her raise her hand to shield her eyes. And then a loud thud followed by a sharp yelp tore through the night. Starlet froze. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw Bowie lying in a pool of blood. Her heart clenched painfully, and she scrambled forward, her hands shaking as she scooped him into her arms. "Oh no! Aldrich, I… I hit a dog! I didn’t know it was Starlet’s! I didn’t mean to!" Eileen stepped out of the car, her voice laced with feigned innocence as she clung to Aldrich’s arm. But under the glow of the streetlights, Starlet saw it—the amusement in Eileen's eye, the barely concealed satisfaction. She had done it on purpose. Knowing that, rage burned through Starlet's veins. Without a word, she stood up, marched toward Eileen, and slapped her across the face.

Third Person's POV "Starlet! What the hell are you doing?" Aldrich roared as he instinctively pulled Eileen into his arms, shielding her from Starlet’s reach. Starlet’s heart clenched at the sight, but she forced herself to stay calm. She met his gaze and spoke evenly. "Aldrich, she ran over Bowie. You saw it, didn’t you?" "It’s just a dog," he scoffed, his voice indifferent. "Besides, it’s dead now. But if it means that much to you, I’ll buy you another one." His callous words made the light in Starlet's eyes fade, but before she could respond, Eileen suddenly clutched her head and whimpered in pain. "Aldrich, I don’t know if Starlet hit me too hard just now, but my migraine is acting up again. It hurts… so much…" Panicky, Aldrich turned to her and quickly said, "Hold on, I’ll take you to the hospital right now." He was about to walk away with her in his arms when Starlet grabbed his arm and desperately urged, "Bowie needs medical attention right away, or it’ll be too late!" Their eyes met, and for a moment, Aldrich hesitated. Seeing the pain in her expression, something inside him softened. He was just about to agree when Eileen gripped his shirt tightly. "Aldrich… Maybe you should stay with Starlet instead," she murmured, her voice trembling. "After all, to her, a dog is more important than I am…" "What are you saying? How could an animal ever compare to you?" Aldrich said firmly. "You’re my precious girl—nothing and no one could ever come close." With that, he shook off Starlet’s hand and carried Eileen away without looking back. As his warmth left her palm, Starlet felt an unbearable emptiness spread through her chest. Any last hope she had for Aldrich disappeared like smoke in the wind. 'So this is it. He wasn’t just playing a role—he truly believed in his own-made lie. He convinced himself so well that his heart turned blind and his mind completely taken in by his own performance,' she thought. Then, she scoffed mentally, 'Well, I'm now done playing along.' Still, she couldn’t help but wonder, 'But when this little game of his ended in two weeks, when he realized she was no longer around, would he be just as indifferent then? Would he still be so sure of his choices?' Letting out a bitter chuckle, she turned away, cradling Bowie’s limp body as she stumbled toward the nearest veterinary hospital. But by the time they arrived, it was already too late. Even if they saved him, he would only be hanging on by a thread. As she looked into those dark, trusting eyes—filled with silent pleading before slowly fading into emptiness—tears streamed down her face. In the end, she chose to let him go peacefully. Bowie was gone. Along with him was the love and youth she had given away so willingly for the past ten years. She had his ashes turned into a pendant. When she finally returned home, the sun was already high in the sky. As she stepped inside, her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. It was a video. She clicked on it, and instantly, explicit scenes filled the screen—two bodies entangled in heated passion, limbs wrapped around each other as they moved together without restraint. The man in the video seemed completely captivated by the woman beneath him, his obsession evident. The two people in the video were none other than Aldrich and Eileen. It was obvious who had sent it. For thirty minutes, Starlet watched the footage, torturing herself with every second. Her tears had long since dried up. Her nails dug so deeply into her palms that blood trickled down her fingers, but she felt nothing—just a dull, numbing ache. Just as she was about to turn it off, their voices suddenly cut through the silence. "Aldrich, can we take a break? I’m so tired…" "Tired?" Aldrich's voice was low and rough. "This is your punishment for killing Bowie. Don’t think I don’t know you did it on purpose." Instead of panicking, Eileen only giggled, nuzzling into his chest. "You figured it out so easily… No wonder you’ve been so ruthless with me tonight," she purred. "You were mad because of her, weren’t you? If that’s the case, then why did you stand up for me earlier? You should’ve just let me die with that mutt." "Die?" Aldrich smirked. "That would’ve been such a waste. You’re far too precious for that." His voice dropped lower, laced with dangerous amusement. "Now, tell me… do you know what you did wrong?"

Third Person's POV Aldrich's voice then turned dangerous as he tightened his grip, making Eileen gasp out loud. "I was wrong, I was wrong! I know I was wrong!" she whimpered. "If you know you're wrong, then make it up to me properly," he ordered, his tone filled with dominance. As he indulged himself once again, Starlet couldn't take it anymore. She threw her phone aside and ran to the sink, retching violently. Even when there was nothing left in her stomach, the nausea didn’t stop. Pain twisted through her gut, but she barely noticed it. Staring at her reflection—her pale face, the raw redness of her eyes—her hands clenched into fists. Then, without hesitation, she swung her fist into the mirror. The glass shattered and fragments scattered across the sink. She glared at the fractured reflection and said with a low and furious voice, "Aldrich, how dare you do this to me? You love Eileen's soft, delicate body so much, don’t you? Fine. I’ll give you my blessing. I’ll set you free. I hope you two are locked together forever, for eternity, never—ever—separating." For the next few days, Starlet locked herself away, refusing to step outside. She spent hours burning every last comic she had drawn for Aldrich over the years, reducing them to ashes. Once everything was taken care of, she finally remembered she needed to buy a few things for her trip abroad. Just as she was about to start the car, the passenger door suddenly opened, and Eileen slid into the seat. "Starlet, long time no see," Eileen said, a smug smile playing on her lips. "Your scar looks worse than ever. Poor Aldrich... I can’t imagine how much mental strength he needed just to put up with your hideous face all these years." Starlet’s expression turned ice-cold. "Get the hell out of my car." But Eileen, unfazed, simply chuckled. "Your car? You mean the one Aldrich bought for you?" She let out a dramatic sigh. "Aldrich is too softhearted. After all those years of you warming his bed for free, he still felt the need to give you a little parting gift." Her tone then turned mocking as she continued, "You saw the video, didn’t you? How was it? That side of Aldrich—bet you’ve never seen it before." "You see, this is the real him," she added. "As they say, a man only shows his true passion with the woman he truly loves because he wants to give her everything. Tell me, has he ever been that passionate with you?" Cocking her head to Starlet, she continued mocking, "You think he stayed with you out of love? No, Starlet, he stayed out of pity. Actually—no, that’s not right either. He stayed because he was disgusted by you. You’re ugly enough to haunt a man’s nightmares. Do you really think he could ever love you?" "Did you even know?" Eileen leaned in, voice dripping with amusement. "Aldrich only got close to you to help me get revenge. You were nothing more than a plaything to spice up our relationship, a toy for our little games." She smirked. "And you actually thought he loved you just because he agreed to marry you? Please. He only went along with the engagement because I didn’t want it. But if I wanted to, I could replace you in an instant—with just a snap of my fingers." Hearing the truth laid out so cruelly, Starlet felt her chest tighten as if someone had driven a blade straight through her heart. She had already suspected it. She thought she had prepared herself. She told herself she had become numb. But it still hurt. Ten years of love and devotion were only wasted. Ten years ago, she thought she had found her light. She gave everything she had, her whole heart, without holding back. But in the end, it had all been a joke. Did Aldrich ever love her? She believed he did, at least for a time. Otherwise, with his pride, he never would have told his friends he was going to marry her. He never would have set a wedding date. But in the end, his love was never strong enough. Not enough to resist temptation. Not enough to fight against old ties. Her eyes burned, but she swallowed back the tears. She refused to let them fall. Turning to face the woman who had haunted her nightmares for half her life, she met Eileen’s smug gaze with an eerily calm expression. "So what?" she asked. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Third Person's POV "Starlet, this is your last chance. Get out of here and stay away from Aldrich. If you don't, the consequences will be more than you can handle," Eileen warned. "Consequences? You mean like this?" Starlet asked, and before Eileen could react, she suddenly started the car and slammed her foot on the gas. The engine roared as the car shot forward and Eileen's terrified screams filled the air. "Starlet! You lunatic! What the hell are you doing? Stop the car! Stop it now!" Eileen shrieked in fear. "What's wrong? Aren't you the one who loves making threats? Loves talking about consequences? Fine, then! Let’s see how you like being dragged down with me. If we die, we die together!" A crazed grin spread across Starlet’s face as she said that, her bloodshot eyes locked on the road ahead like a demon straight out of hell. The sight alone drained all the color from Eileen’s face. Scenes of the past flashed through Eileen’s mind. She didn’t want to die. She couldn’t die. She had just returned to the country, and had just begun her plan to become Aldrich's wife—how could she die now? "Starlet! Stop the car! I said STOP!" However, Eileen's panicked screams only fell on deaf ears. At that moment, pure fear took over. Without thinking, she lunged for the steering wheel. The sudden struggle caught Starlet off guard. She knew Eileen had nearly died in a street racing accident years ago—that was exactly why she wanted to teach her a lesson, to make her feel a fraction of the fear she once inflicted on others. It was just supposed to be a warning, a small taste of retribution. But she hadn’t expected Eileen to fight back. The car swerved wildly, and Starlet could feel the control slipping away. If this continued, they would both die for real. Eileen's life didn’t matter to her. But her own? She still had a future. A life to live. Soon, her eyes caught sight of the guardrail up ahead. Gritting her teeth, she yanked the wheel hard to the side. Then a deafening crash filled their worlds and everything went dark. Starlet didn’t know how long she had been unconscious. But a jumble of voices pulled her back to reality, their words filtering through the haze. "Both patients have sustained severe injuries to their hands. They need immediate surgery, or they risk permanent damage. But most of our surgeons are already in the operating room. Only one is available right now. So, who do you want to be treated first, Mr. Young?" Her mind cleared instantly upon hearing it. Her hands couldn't be damaged! She was a comic artist. If she lost her hands, her entire future would be destroyed. Panic surged through her. She forced herself to speak in a hoarse and weak voice. "Aldrich… I-I still need to draw. My hands… I can’t afford to lose them." Just then, the warmth of a hand holding hers suddenly disappeared. Starlet opened her eyes just in time to catch the flicker of hesitation in Aldrich’s expression. But then, his hands moved—away from her and onto Eileen’s shoulder. "Save Eileen first," he said. The pain hit Starlet all at once. So sharp, so overwhelming that she couldn't tell if it was coming from her injured hands or her shattered heart. She looked at him, at the man who had once promised her forever. And in that moment, any remaining hope she had crumbled into dust. 'Of course. Something broken is never worth keeping. Not an object. Not a person,' she thought. As such, Starlet drifted in and out of consciousness. The anesthesia left her unable to open her eyes, but she could still hear everything around her. "Aldrich, you really made a mess of things this time. How are you planning to clean it up?" "Yeah," another voice chimed in. "Starlet’s a comic artist. Her hands mean everything to her. But you chose to save Eileen first. When she finds out the truth… she’s going to hate you for the rest of her life."

Third Person's POV “She’ll never know the truth. I had no choice at the time—she woke up too soon. If I had chosen to save her first, my whole act of pretending to have amnesia would’ve fallen apart. She would’ve hated me even more. But luckily, she’s okay,” Aldrich answered. “Okay? The doctors said if she had been in surgery even a minute later, she would’ve lost her hand,” rebutted the other. Starlet’s heart clenched after hearing it, while a sweat-soaked hand holding hers. A few moments later, she felt a soft kiss land on her forehead, followed by a firm, determined voice. “I know I owe her. But I’ve already planned everything out. In a few days, the doctors will announce that my memory has returned. Everything will go back to the way it was. I’ll make it up to her. I’ll love her the way I should have. I’ll give her everything she deserves," Aldrich explained. “After we get married, I’ll take her to see the most beautiful northern lights. I’ll go anywhere she wants to go. We once made a wish under a shooting star that we'd stay together forever. She won’t leave me. She never will," he added, assured. Starlet wasn’t sure if he was trying to reassure himself or remind her of their past. But that wish… she had no desire to fulfill it anymore. If someone stayed, it meant they loved their partner. But if they left, it meant they no longer did. That applied to everyone, especially if one played with someone’s heart. From then on, Aldrich never left Starlet's side while she was unconscious. Every half an hour, he had the doctors check on her condition. Every so often, he gently wiped her dry lips with warm water. He played the role of a devoted, attentive boyfriend flawlessly—until the moment she woke up. The second she opened her eyes, he quickly turned and left the room. Starlet watched his retreating figure, a cold smirk flickering across her lips. A few minutes later, the doctor came in to check on her. “These past few days… who’s been taking care of me?” she asked suddenly. The doctor hesitated for a moment, avoiding her gaze before stammering, “I—I’m not sure… probably a nurse.” “Is that so?” She let out a soft, humorless laugh and picked up her phone, checking the time. She had been unconscious for days. And in three more, she would be gone forever. Just then, her phone rang. It was the nursing home. “Miss Bennett… your sister… she passed away yesterday at around eleven in the morning.” Her already shattered heart felt like it was being crushed under an unbearable weight. Tears slipped silently from the corners of her eyes, soaking her pale face. “Dr. Erickson… was she in pain?” she sobbingly asked. “No, don’t worry. She was peaceful. She just kept calling your name, asking for you. I tried calling you so many times, but I couldn’t reach you… so I told her you were on your way,” Travis replied. 'This is all that bitch's fault! If she hadn’t crashed my car, I wouldn’t have missed my sister’s final moments. If I had never gotten involved with Aldrich, none of this would’ve happened,' she grittingly thought, guilt, regret, and grief consuming her. After hanging up, she collapsed onto the hospital bed and buried her face in her hands as a muffled, anguished sob escaped her lips. Biting down hard on her own arm, she forced herself to swallow the pain, the sorrow, the hatred. This hospital was full of Aldrich’s people. She couldn’t let them find out about her sister’s death. Otherwise, her plan to switch death with her sister would be in vain. The next morning, she checked herself out of the hospital and went straight to the nursing home. When she arrived, her sister was lying in the morgue, peaceful and still, as if she were simply asleep. Starlet’s legs gave out beneath her. She dropped to her knees and sobbed like a lost child.

Third Person's POV "My condolences. Talia wouldn't want to see you like this." Travis’s gentle voice came from behind, his broad hand resting lightly on Stralet's shoulder. Of course. Her sister had been the kindest, most innocent soul. No matter how many mistakes she had made, that foolish girl only ever wished for her happiness. She would never want to see her in pain. Swallowing back her grief, Starlet, with Travis’s help, arranged a simple funeral for her sister. Once everything was settled, the sky was still bright. Instead of going back, she headed straight to the registry office to erase her identity as Starlet. With the official death certificate from the sanatorium, the process went smoothly. As she stepped out of the office, the snow that had been falling all morning suddenly cleared. Lifting her gaze to the sky, she squinted against the sharp sunlight. It was blinding, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like she could see hope—hope for a new life. A faint smile curved her lips. Just as she was about to leave, her phone rang. An unknown number. She hesitated at first but answered anyway. "Hello, Miss Bennett. This is the manager of the Haven Hotel. Your fiancé, Mr. Aldrich Young, booked the venue for a wedding three days from now, but there are still some details left to confirm. We’ve been unable to reach him, so we had no choice but to contact you. Would you be available to come by and discuss the arrangements?" Her first instinct was to refuse. But then, when she heard the date, her eyelashes trembled slightly. Three days from now—the day Aldrich had chosen to "regain" his memory and also the day she planned to disappear. How fitting. One last look at a wedding she would never attend—maybe that would be the perfect ending to this mess. In the end, she agreed, hailed a cab, and arrived at the hotel. The manager led her to the 28th floor. The moment she stepped inside, a strong scent of magnolias filled the air. Above her, tiny lights twinkled like stars, while delicate white magnolias cascaded like snow between strands of crystal beads. A soft fragrance lingered in the air, wrapping the room in quiet romance. It was beautiful—just like that spring when the magnolias bloomed, and she and Aldrich had met. Magnolias symbolized loyalty. She once believed their love would be as steadfast as these flowers. She had forgotten, though—magnolias were fleeting. Just like everything between them. The manager, about to explain the venue details, suddenly received a call and stepped away, leaving her alone. The hall had two levels. Wandering aimlessly, she made her way upstairs. From here, the floating lights in the air felt closer, almost within reach. It reminded her of that night—when Aldrich had knelt before her, eyes full of sincerity, holding out a ring as he made his lifelong vow. Back then, when she had said yes, he had cried. And she had thought—marriage with him would be beautiful. Who could have predicted that within three months, everything would crumble to nothing? Lost in thought, she barely registered the sound of the doors downstairs swinging open. At first, she assumed it was the manager returning. But no—it was Aldrich and Eileen. Aldrich was dressed in a deep burgundy suit, a bouquet of magnolias in his hands. She had to admit—he looked stunning in that color. She had loved seeing him in burgundy. He had once promised that on their wedding day, he would wear it just for her. Beside him, Eileen’s eyes darted around the hall, a flicker of jealousy crossing her face. Then, as her gaze landed on the second floor, she paused—her lips curling into a knowing, wicked smile. Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Aldrich’s. "Aldrich, why did you bring me here?" she asked in a sweet, almost childish tone. Aldrich placed a casual arm around her shoulders. "This is the wedding venue I prepared for Starlet," he said. "The day after tomorrow, I plan to have a few of my friends bring her here. I’ll pretend to be overwhelmed by memories… and then, just like that, I’ll regain my memory."

Third Person's POV “I brought you here today to do a quick rehearsal. You can stand in for Starlet and see if there’s anything we’ve overlooked.” With that, Aldrich pulled Eileen to the center of the stage. From the second floor, Starlet watched quietly from above, her gaze flickering slightly. She had to admit—Aldrich was talented when it came to acting. If she hadn’t already known the truth, she might have been touched when she showed up here three days later. She might have fallen for his lies. Thankfully, she wasn’t that unlucky. Downstairs, the “rehearsal” had reached its final act. Eileen rose onto her toes and kissed Aldrich deeply. What started as a romantic scene quickly turned into something else entirely. His burgundy suit slid off his shoulders, and her pink dress tangled with his crisp white shirt—now smeared with lipstick—as they fell away together. No one knew how long the kiss lasted before Aldrich finally pulled back, his fingers gripping Eileen’s soft waist as he spoke in a low, teasing tone. “Anyone could walk in here at any moment, and you still can’t keep your hands off me?” Eileen smirked in return, pressing closer. “Doesn’t it make it even more exciting? Doing it at the site of your big, important wedding?” Her seductive expression made Aldrich narrow his eyes and a slow chuckle escaped his lips. “You’re full of tricks.” “How do I compare to Starlet?” she asked coyly. Without hesitation, he answered, “You’re definitely wilder. But don’t forget—my bride will always be Starlet. No one else can take that place.” 'Oh, really?' Starlet scoffed inwardly while watching the two from upstairs, concealing the mocking smile forming at the corners of her lips. 'Too bad, Aldrich. I don’t want you anymore,' she then thought. For the next two hours, she subjected herself to the live show unfolding below, watching their every move in silent agony. Only when their heated whispers turned into satisfied sighs and they finally left did she pull herself together and walk away from that disgusting place. Two days remained before her departure. Out of the blue, Travis called her. He told her there was still a diary and a photo album belonging to her sister that he needed to return. They agreed to meet at a Western-style restaurant. Over dinner, Starlet was surprised to learn that he had decided to leave the country. “You have a good job here. Why the sudden decision?” she asked. Travis let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “I’ve never been one for routine. Life feels too predictable that way. I want to try something different—maybe going abroad will be a good change.” 'A life filled with challenges?' Starlet echoed in her mind, full of wonder. Once, Starlet had chosen to leave the country, but for a different reason—to escape the betrayal and lies that had consumed her world. But now… maybe looking at things from a different perspective wouldn’t be so bad. She absently stirred her coffee while her mind wandered. “Starlet? What are you doing here? And who is he?” The familiar voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She hadn’t expected to run into Aldrich and Eileen, the two of them linked arm in arm, looking like the perfect couple. But Aldrich’s expression was far from pleasant. His eyes were locked on Travis, filled with open hostility and barely concealed anger. Eileen curled her lips into a mocking smile, but her voice carried a note of exaggerated concern as she interjected, “Starlet, it’s so late. Why are you out having dinner with another man? Is he your new boyfriend?” She tilted her head, giving Travis an appraising look. “He’s quite handsome, I’ll give you that. But does he know you were clinging to Aldrich not long ago, insisting he was your boyfriend? You wouldn’t be… playing both sides, would you?” Starlet didn’t bother responding. But Aldrich’s temper had already been ignited. His rage flared as he roared, “I asked you a question, Starlet! Who is this guy? I was only gone for a little while, and you couldn’t stand being alone? Are you really that desperate? That cheap?”