Chapter 1

On my seventy-second attempt to kiss Carter Cole, he pushed me away again.

"Vivian, you know I’m sick."

We had been together for three years. But because of a medical certificate claiming he suffered from a "severe touch aversion," Carter never allowed me to touch him. Not even once.

Until last night, outside a VIP lounge at the club, I heard his friends laughing.

"Still playing the monk, Carter? You guys are already engaged. Doesn't the Vance family's precious heiress throw a fit?"

Carter, completely wasted, let out a scoffing laugh.

"It was just a fake medical certificate. Vivian is gullible. Besides, Serena is coming back to the States tomorrow. I’m done playing this game anyway."

Later that night, I saw Carter—the man who claimed he couldn't stand being touched—tenderly and passionately kiss Serena Shaw on the forehead.

At that exact moment, my heart turned to ash.

His sickness was selective. So was his heart.

Break the engagement. Cut all ties.

Carter, we are done forever.

The next morning, I stared at the tightly closed guest bedroom door upstairs. My hands shook so hard I could barely hold my water glass.

Carter had been heavily drunk last night. He was probably still asleep.

When he woke up, I wanted a confrontation.

Three years of love—even if it was all a lie, I needed to hear the truth from him.

But after a lonely breakfast in the dining room, there was still no sign of Carter.

I finally called over the housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins.

"Is Carter awake yet? I need to speak with him."

Mrs. Higgins looked uneasy and lowered her voice.

"Miss Vance, Mr. Cole woke up at dawn. He said he had a terrible hangover but had to leave immediately to... to pick up a very important guest. He didn't even have time for coffee."

A very important guest.

His ex-girlfriend, Serena Shaw.

As the realization hit me, a self-deprecating smile played on my lips.

Serena was back. And here I was, foolishly hoping for a "proper talk" with Carter, trying to get some closure for the past three years. What a joke. He wouldn't even give me a decent goodbye, let alone the truth.

Forget it. I was done humiliating myself.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Carter’s parents.

To my surprise, when I told Mrs. Cole that I wanted to call off the wedding, there was a long silence on the other end. When she finally spoke, her voice was heavy with guilt and relief.

"Vivian, dear... I assume you’ve seen the news this morning.

"I know you must be hurting. Thank you for calling me directly and staying so calm. The Cole family owes you a massive apology. Carter has been an absolute bastard!"

The news?

I froze for a second. After politely hanging up, I grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.

The entertainment news paparazzi footage was crystal clear.

In the video, as Serena walked out of the airport wearing sunglasses, Carter immediately stepped forward. He naturally took her luggage, leaned down, and pressed a tender, devoted kiss onto her forehead.

[Breaking! Tech Billionaire Carter Cole Spotted at Airport Welcoming Actress Serena Shaw with a Passionate Kiss. Are They Back Together?]

The audio of the TV news seemed to fade into a high-pitched ring.

Like a masochist, I watched the replay on the screen. The man who would have a "panic attack" if I so much as brushed against his arm was now kissing another woman so passionately in public.

My eyes welled up with hot, uncontrollable tears. Just as my vision blurred—

Click.

The front door opened.

I subconsciously turned my head, and a single tear rolled down my cheek.

It was Carter and Serena.

Carter stood at the doorway, with Serena’s hand resting naturally on his arm. His eyes fell on my face. When he saw my tear-stained cheek, he visibly stiffened.

He awkwardly pulled his arm away from Serena and tried to explain.

"The fans swarmed her hotel. She couldn't stay there. This was the only safe place I could think of for now."

Having said that, Carter guiltily avoided my eyes.

His gaze swept over to the TV screen, which was still frozen on the image of him kissing Serena.

Carter immediately realized what was happening. He took a step forward, panicked.

"Vivian, it’s not what it looks like!"

"I only did that because..."

I watched him quietly. He stuttered and stammered for a long time, unable to come up with a single logical excuse.

I let out a breathless, mocking laugh.

He couldn't even be bothered to make up a decent lie for his cheating.

I guess when pain surpasses your limit, you just go numb.

I looked away, calmly wiping the wet tear from my cheek. I tossed my house keys onto the coffee table and walked straight toward the door.

"You can keep the house."

"Our engagement is officially over."