Chapter 1

It was the tenth time my girlfriend and I showed up at the civil‑affairs bureau to get our marriage license. We were only one final step away — the stamping of the official steel seal — when she got a phone call from her long‑time white‑light crush and took off right away.

I begged her desperately to stay, but all I got in return was a sharp, resounding slap across my face.

That very day, I became the biggest joke at the civil‑affairs bureau.

Every last shred of hope I’d held for my girlfriend died right then. Without a second thought, I dialed her mother’s number.

“Aunt Helen, I’ve made up my mind. If you haven’t changed your mind, then let’s meet at the civil‑affairs bureau.”

Today was the tenth time Chloe and I stood in City Hall, waiting to sign our marriage certificate.

Four years of dating, countless proposals—today was finally supposed to be the day.

My hands were shaking with pure excitement as I held Chloe’s hand.

But just as the clerk was about to press the official seal onto our certificate, her phone buzzed. It was that familiar ringtone.

Chloe answered, listened for two seconds, and her face went completely pale. She snatched her ID back and turned to leave.

As she ripped her hand away, her diamond ring scratched my ring finger, leaving a thin trail of blood. I instinctively grabbed the hem of her jacket, begging, "Chloe, please. Whatever it is, can we just sign this first? It’s the very last step. It’ll take one minute!"

Chloe glared at me, her eyes filled with rage, and slapped me hard across the face. "Lucas! How can you be so selfish? Julian is in agonizing stomach pain right now, and you’re only thinking about yourself! Get out of my way! Don’t even try to contact me for the next couple of days. I’m staying at Julian's place to take care of him."

She ran out of City Hall without looking back, leaving me standing there frozen.

The clerk looked at me with pure pity.

The people waiting in line behind us crowded around, whispering and laughing at my expense.

I couldn’t hear them. I just let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh.

"Chloe, this was the tenth time. And it was your last chance."

We were supposed to be married last June.

But then her childhood friend, Julian, came back into her life.

And because of him, Chloe and I had been to City Hall ten times, only to leave empty-handed.

The first time, Julian just called and said he missed her. Chloe literally snatched her documents from the clerk's hand and bolted.

The second time, Julian got drunk, and she had to stay the night to look after him.

The third time was even more ridiculous. Julian said his cat was depressed, and Chloe abandoned me without a second thought.

Every single time we were about to get married, Julian would find some absurd, dramatic reason to call her away. And every single time, she chose him.

But today was the tenth time.

I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slid the engagement ring off my finger—the ring I had treasured so much—and threw it straight into the trash can.

Four years of love. I was putting an end to it today.

Not with a wedding, but with a permanent breakup.

If she could abandon me ten times for her childhood friend, she would definitely abandon me, or even cheat on me, in the future.

If that was the case, I was done.

Whatever she did next was no longer my business.

My heart was completely shattered. I decided to leave this city.

But before I left, I had to see Chloe's mother, Helen.

Helen was gentle, elegant, and incredibly kind. She never looked down on me for being a broke orphan. Instead, she always gave me warmth, encouragement, and support.

In fact, she treated me much better than she treated her own daughter.

To show my appreciation, I used to go to her house to help with chores, cook, and keep her company when she was lonely.

If I left without saying goodbye, she would be devastated.

When I arrived at Helen's house, her face lit up with genuine joy. Her soft, warm eyes rested on me, reluctant to look away.

I wanted to smile back, but I couldn't force it. Helen immediately noticed my pale face.

After she gently pressed me for answers, I sighed and told her everything.

When I finished, Helen was absolutely furious.

"This is unacceptable! How could I raise such a shameless daughter?!"

"You two were seconds away from being married, and she ran off to be with some childhood friend? Did she learn absolutely nothing about respect and loyalty?!"

In my memory, Helen had always been a refined, soft-spoken woman. I had never heard her raise her voice like this, let alone use such harsh words.

"Lucas, don't worry. I've got your back."

"I'll call her right now and make her come back. She's going to City Hall with you to sign those papers, or so help me, I'll disown her!"

I quickly stopped her.

"No, Helen. She doesn't love me. Even if we get married, we won't be happy. It's better to let it go."

"Besides, I'm completely done with her. I don't feel anything anymore."

Ten trips to City Hall. Every single one had been a knife to my chest. My love for her had died with that tenth strike. It could never be healed.

Helen fell silent. Her eyes were filled with deep heartache, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

I sighed and stood up. I had come here to say goodbye. Now that I had, it was time for me to go.

But as I turned around, Helen suddenly threw her arms around me from behind, holding me tight. I froze, completely lost.

"Lucas, don't go."

Her voice was trembling, filled with a desperate plea that shook me to my core.

"Helen... what are you..."