‎Third Person POV

‎"ALEXANDER, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lied to you. Can you forgive me?"

‎For the past several days, Lilian had sent countless messages like this.

‎She knew Alexander would not answer her calls.

‎Ever since the truth came out, he had grown colder with each passing day, until even hearing his voice felt like an impossible luxury.

‎Still, Lilian refused to give up.

‎She sat on the edge of her bed, clutching her phone tightly, staring at the silent screen as though sheer desperation could force him to reply.

‎Then another message was sent.

‎ALEXANDER, will you still come to my birthday party tomorrow? It’s my first birthday after returning home... I really hope you’ll come.

‎There was hesitation beneath every word.

‎The party had been planned long in advance.

‎But now, after everything that had happened, even getting him to attend felt uncertain.

‎Meanwhile, in his office at Blackwood Dominion Enterprises, Alexander glanced down at the message.

‎His expression remained unreadable.

‎After a moment, he typed a single word.

‎Yes.

‎When Lilian saw the reply, her eyes instantly brightened.

‎Joy surged through her chest so suddenly that she nearly laughed aloud.

‎He answered.

‎He was still willing to come.

‎That meant he had not completely abandoned her.

‎She hurriedly typed back.

‎Great! Thank you, ALEXANDER! I thought you were still angry and wouldn’t come.

‎There was no response.

‎But Lilian no longer cared.

‎As long as he came, she still had a chance.

‎She bit her lip, then carefully sent another message.

‎ALEXANDER, will the promise you made about tomorrow still stand?

‎Several seconds later, another short reply appeared.

‎Yes.

‎Lilian’s pulse quickened.

‎He was still willing to make her birthday memorable.

‎Tears of relief almost filled her eyes.

‎Thank you, ALEXANDER. You’re so good to me.

‎Her fingers trembled as she typed another message.

‎ALEXANDER... are you no longer angry? I’m truly sorry. Everything I did... I only did it because I love you. I really love you so much...

‎This time, Alexander finally responded with more than a single word.

‎Is there anything else you want? I’ll do my best to make it happen.

‎Lilian’s breathing became uneven.

‎He still loved her.

‎Even after learning she had lied.

‎Even after all the chaos.

‎He was still willing to do anything for her.

‎Her lips curved into a relieved smile.

‎Perhaps everything could still be fixed. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

‎Perhaps she had not lost after all.

‎Then another message appeared.

‎And the smile on her face froze.

‎"This will be the last birthday I celebrate with you. I’ll do my best to make it memorable."

‎The color drained from Lilian’s face.

‎Her heart plummeted.

‎Without thinking, she called him immediately.

‎The line connected.

‎"ALEXANDER!"

‎Her voice shook violently.

‎"What do you mean? What do you mean by the last birthday you’ll celebrate with me?"

‎Alexander leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the night skyline outside his office windows.

‎His tone was calm.

‎"From now on, every September twenty-fifth will only be my wedding anniversary with Alicia."

‎"It will mean nothing else."

‎Lilian’s entire body stiffened.

‎"ALEXANDER..." she whispered, then her voice rose in panic. "Does that mean you’re not divorcing Alicia? You don’t want me anymore?"

‎Alexander’s gaze darkened slightly.

‎"When I agreed to try and get along with Alicia, I already warned you this could happen."

‎"If you chose to leave the country, I promise you would never need to worry about money, status, or security."

‎"If you chose to stay, I would do everything possible to support your career."

‎Lilian’s tears fell uncontrollably.

‎"I don’t care about money!" she cried. "I don’t care about my career!"

‎"I only want you!"

‎"You promised to take care of me for the rest of my life. Have you forgotten?"

‎Alexander’s jaw tightened.

‎"You were the one who rejected me."

‎Years ago, after the incident that had separated them, he had gone back to her once more.

‎He had even spoken of engagement.

‎Marriage.

‎A future.

‎But Lilian had chosen to leave the country over him.

‎And now, after everything that had happened, whether those promises still remained was no longer her decision.

‎"I... I was scared back then..."

‎"I’ll make it up to you in other ways."

‎"I don’t want anything else!" she sobbed. "I just want you!"

‎"Lilian."

‎His voice dropped lower.

‎Sharper.

‎Whenever Alexander used that tone, it meant the last of his patience was running out.

‎Just like today.

‎Lilian’s chest tightened painfully.

‎Then, in a trembling whisper, she asked the one question she feared most.

‎"ALEXANDER... have you fallen for Alicia?"

‎Silence.

‎No answer came.

‎But that silence was more devastating than any words.

‎Alexander finally spoke.

‎"If there’s nothing else, I’m busy."

‎He ended the call.

‎Then, as the phone rang again moments later, he muted it and turned it face down on the desk.

‎He loosened the collar of his shirt and exhaled slowly.

‎For the first time in days, a strange sense of relief settled over him.

‎As though a truth he had resisted for too long had finally been acknowledged.

‎Maybe it was because he had finally made a decision.

‎On the other end of the line, Lilian stared at the darkened screen in disbelief.

‎Her chest felt hollow.

‎How had it come to this?

‎He had been preparing to divorce Alicia.

‎She had been one step away from becoming Alexander’s wife.

‎One step away from having everything.

‎Yet now, all of it had shattered like glass.

‎Her eyes slowly filled with hatred.

‎Alicia Sinclair.

‎That woman had ruined everything.

‎But beneath the rage, Lilian knew the truth.

‎This was not Alicia’s doing.

‎This disaster had begun with her own choices.

‎And with one man.

‎Daniel Caldwell.

‎If not for him...

‎She and Alexander might have married years ago.

‎But Lilian refused to accept defeat.

‎If fate had cornered her this far—

‎Then she knew she couldn’t let Alicia win either.

Alicia’s POV

The business trip was supposed to last five days.

However, by the morning of the third day, I had already finished all my work, leaving me with nearly two extra days. I gave my assistant some time off and told him to enjoy the city as though he were on vacation.

Then I received a message from Aiden on WhatsApp.

"Got any free time these days? I’m available—let’s grab a meal."

"Haven’t you started filming?" I replied.

"You haven’t seen the news? Because of safety concerns after Lilian’s incident, productions across the industry have been put on hold for a few days."

Aiden had been cast as the male lead in a television drama sponsored by Arclaire Entertainment, and filming had originally been scheduled to begin within the last two days.

A moment later, another message came through.

"I’m in Nevaris City for a publicity event, but I’ll be heading back soon ."

I paused before replying.

"Funny. I’m in Nevaris City too, on a business trip."

"Really? Finished with work already? How about I treat you to dinner?"

"Sure."

"Okay. I’ll find us a place."

Aiden booked a table at an exclusive private members-only club—quiet, discreet, and known for its excellent reputation.

He was already there when I arrived. He had reserved a private room and ordered several simple dishes.

The moment I stepped inside, I announced, "I’m here."

"Take a seat."

As I sat down across from him, I asked, "Why are you in town for publicity?"

"I’m appearing as a guest on a reality show," he said. "Take a look at the menu and order anything else you’d like."

I glanced at the table and shook my head.

"No need. You’ve already ordered all my favorites."

Aiden smiled, then asked casually, "So, how are things with your boyfriend?"

I stiffened for a moment before waving my hand dismissively.

"Don’t mention him."

"Had a fight?" Aiden asked, though I caught the faint trace of satisfaction in his tone.

"We’re probably breaking up soon."