Chapter 4

My thoughts abruptly halted again.

In court, Seraphina's voice was slightly choked:

"Alexander, don't think I don't know that you could never forget your previous little mistress. You say you couldn't bear to touch me, but I saw you with her photos... Sometimes in the middle of the night, you'd even call out her name in your dreams."

"You lie beside me, but your heart holds someone else. What right do you have to accuse me of betrayal?"

Her voice grew more confident. She pulled a notebook from her purse, opened it in front of everyone, and read aloud.

"I don't know why I thought of you again, Anya. I always regret how I treated you back then. If I could do it over, I would never let you go."

Seraphina looked up, her eyes red, almost screaming her accusation at Alexander.

"You just couldn't find her! Your heart hasn't been with me for ages. I couldn't feel your love, so what's wrong with me seeking other comforts? What did I do wrong!"

Seraphina continued her self-indulgent breakdown, but my mentor's gaze quietly shifted to me.

I remained impassive, calmly proceeding with the formalities, and ignoring Alexander's repeated glances.

For the rest of the hearing, Alexander didn't say another word.

Only I rationally argued and debated, ultimately securing victory in that case.

Seraphina was still breaking down, but Alexander didn't spare her a glance. He followed me all the way back to the law firm.

I offered him a polite smile.

"Congratulations. Your demands have been met."

He smiled too.

"And congratulations to you on your first professional victory."

I nodded unreservedly.

"Thank you. I earned it."

He paused, opened his mouth, hesitated for a long time, and finally said:

"That diary... I wrote it haphazardly when I was drunk. I never thought she'd find it. Don't overthink it."

I waved my hand dismissively, responding casually:

"It's nothing. I'm not overthinking it."

He gave an awkward laugh, and I politely nodded, my voice indifferent.

"Is there anything else?"

Alexander's gaze darted around a bit, then he pulled out two amusement park tickets.

I couldn't quite describe the sudden rush of emotions tearing through me.

"I don't know if there's still a chance to invite you."

His voice was soft, but it ripped a huge chasm in my heart. It hurt, deeply.

Many years ago, Alexander had also taken me to an amusement park.

It was my first time ever at an amusement park. Everything seemed fascinating. I chattered excitedly, pulling Alexander along, talking non-stop.

Until we rode the roller coaster together.

He initially held my hand tightly, his eyes crinkling in a smile, telling me not to be afraid, that he would stay with me.

To be honest, in that single moment, looking into his eyes, my heart pounded so fast. I even secretly wondered if, at some point, he might have loved me too.

Excitement, exhilaration, and a hint of love enveloped me, so tightly that I didn't even feel fear. Everything just felt wonderfully perfect.

I never expected Alexander's face to darken the moment we got off the roller coaster.

"Anya, you're smiling so happily, you're not like her."

I was startled by his sudden coldness, tried stiffly to explain, but he cut me off.

"Seraphina is timid; every time we rode a roller coaster, she'd burrow into my arms and even cry from fear afterward. She wouldn't be as excited as you; this isn't right."

So he took me for a second, then a third ride. For some reason, I just couldn't cry.

All those self-important, ridiculous feelings instantly turned into a joke.

I only felt humiliation.

Finally, he got angry and took me straight to his company.

On a hundred-story building, he tied me directly outside the window and slowly, bit by bit, cut the ropes holding me with a dagger.

I finally became afraid, starting to cry hysterically.

I cried for a very long time, but he never stopped until the rope was completely severed. I thought I would truly fall to my death, but then he violently yanked me back.

I was so terrified I lost control of my bladder. I couldn't even cry anymore, just trembled uncontrollably from extreme fear.

Alexander was finally satisfied.

He smiled and spoke.

"Now you're like her."

He then pulled me into his arms.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here. How could I let anything happen to you?"

Yet now, he stood there with two amusement park tickets, shamelessly saying to me.

"Anya, I still remember you once told me you longed for an amusement park, and I remember your happy expression."

"I just didn't appreciate it back then. If I could, I want to take action to help you overwrite those bad memories."

His eyes were so sincere. I looked and looked, unable to find a trace of guilt.

"Anya, will you give me another chance?"

But as soon as he finished speaking, someone violently pushed him aside.

The man who stepped in front of me spoke with an icy tone.

"Who allowed you to approach her?"

Alexander, perhaps never having been treated so roughly, struggled to his feet, his face full of fury.

"Who are you? I'm speaking with her. What right do you have to interfere?"

The man calmly adjusted his suit cuff, impossibly elegant.

"Me? Who I am, Anya will tell you herself."

He turned to look at me, his eyes tender and affectionate. I immediately linked my arm through his.

"Allow me to introduce you. This is my fiancé, Julian."

I stood on my tiptoes and unhesitatingly kissed Julian's cheek.