"Why?"Aiden asked

I lowered my gaze.

"I think he still has feelings for someone else."

"Yeah, then you should definitely break up."

"Someone like you? I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard to find someone who likes you."

I looked up at him with narrowed eyes.

He laughed softly.

"And you? When are you going to settle down?"

"Me? I’m not in a rush. If I dared to date now, my fans would tear me apart."

"You can’t stay single forever, can you?"

"I’ll wait until my new show airs."

I chuckled.

"True. If you win an award for it and successfully transition your career, who’s going to stop you from dating? By then, you’ll probably be seeing ten people at once."

Aiden chuckled softly.quickly changing the topic.

"Are you done with work here? When are you going back?"

"It’s all finished. My flight is tomorrow."

"Then let’s go together. I’m flying back tomorrow too."

"Alright."

Since we rarely had free time, we bought tickets to a movie and chose seats in the last row of the theater. Aiden came fully disguised in a mask, hat, and sunglasses, making him almost impossible to recognize.

After the movie, we each returned to our hotels.

The next day, I met up with Aiden again so we could fly back to Velaridge City together.

Our seats were beside each other, and we chatted casually throughout the flight.

Aiden turned to me and asked, "Are you going home after we land?"

"Where else would I go?" I replied. "Aren’t you going home?"

"I have to attend a party. Not sure if you’ve heard about it."

"What party?"

"Lilian’s birthday party."

I frowned.

"Wasn’t Lilian burned?"

"I went to visit her the day after it happened. It’s not serious."

"Oh."

Then why had Michael looked as though Lilian were on the brink of death that day?

Aiden studied my expression before speaking again.

"You seem fine now. How about coming with me?"

"Is that a good idea?"

Alexander would definitely be there for Lilian’s birthday party. I didn’t want to see him right now.

"Why wouldn’t it be?" Aiden said lightly. "The invitation says guests can bring a plus-one. CEO Blackwood is your brother, and she might become your future sister-in-law. Isn’t it natural for you to attend?"

He leaned back in his seat and continued,

"Besides, it’s the same as that press conference. The more you avoid them, the more the media will stir things up. If you’re bold enough to show up, they might think twice before making things up."

I lowered my gaze and pressed my lips together.

Aiden glanced at me before adding with a teasing smile,

"I heard CEO Blackwood spared no expense for Lilian’s birthday party. The venue was designed by an internationally renowned designer, her dress is a specially airlifted limited edition, and even the birthday cake was made by an international sugar artist. It’s a rare sight. Are you sure you don’t want to see it for yourself?"

I listened in silence, but my expression darkened even more.

He truly cared for Lilian.

This birthday party must have been planned for a long time.

On September twenty-fifth, Lilian had managed to make Alexander abandon me for her and even host a grand birthday celebration. She must be thrilled.

Then a thought crossed my mind.

If I showed up, Lilian would be furious.

"Alright," I said at last. "I’ll go with you."

After landing, we quickly freshened up at the hotel where the event was being held, then headed straight to the party.

Lilian had only recently returned to the country and did not have many connections yet, so the guest list was small. Most of those invited were models and actors she had worked with not long ago.

The moment Aiden and I stepped into the banquet hall, I was struck by the sheer luxury of it.

It looked less like a party venue and more like a magnificent palace. Crystal chandeliers glimmered overhead, fresh flowers adorned every corner, and every detail had been arranged with painstaking precision. Elegance seeped from every inch of the room.

Anyone who saw it would have to admire Alexander’s devotion.

It was flawless.

Even though I had prepared myself mentally, my chest still tightened with an ache I could not suppress.

This once-in-a-lifetime display of care... was all for Lilian.

There was a time when I had imagined a grand wedding of my own—Alexander standing beside me, holding my hand as everyone watched us with envy.

But in the end, what I received was only a divorce settlement agreement.

Soft piano music drifted through the hall, smooth and soothing, carrying an oddly familiar melody.

"I didn’t know CEO Blackwood could play the piano this well," Aiden said in surprise, glancing toward one side of the room.

I instinctively followed his gaze.

At the far end of the hall stood a grand piano.

A man in a perfectly tailored suit sat before it, his posture straight, his expression focused. His long fingers moved effortlessly across the keys, coaxing out notes so flawless and tender that the room itself seemed to hold its breath.

The melody flowed like water.

And the reverence in his face made it seem as though every note carried emotion meant for only one person.

I recognized him immediately.

Alexander.

So... he could play the piano.

How romantic.

Playing live at Lilian’s birthday party, serenading her in front of everyone.

Too bad all the romance that should have belonged to me was given away by my husband to another woman.

"Director Holland and some crew members are over there," Aiden said. "I’m going to greet them. Want to come?"

"No. You go ahead."

I walked to the dessert table instead, picked up a plate of sweets, and found a quiet corner to sit in.

Even after six years in high society, I still never truly belonged in places like this.

At gatherings like these, the only thing I knew how to do was eat quietly and wait for time to pass.

Not long after, the guest of honor finally appeared.

Lilian descended the staircase in a breathtaking princess gown, one hand lifting the hem of her skirt. She looked radiant beneath the lights, standing at the center of the hall like a queen born for admiration.

Holding a microphone, she smiled sweetly at the crowd.

"Thank you all for taking the time to attend my birthday party," she said warmly. "The venue is simple, so I hope no one minds."

Simple?

I nearly laughed aloud.

Then she turned toward the piano, her smile deepening.

"And of course, thank you to Alexander for being so thoughtful—organizing this party for me and personally playing Kiss the Rain by Yiruma."

My fingers tightened around my fork.

"This song is our love song. We met because of it. And today, Alexander and I will share the first dance to it."

She looked around brightly.

"Everyone is welcome to join us."

I froze where I sat.

No wonder the melody had sounded so familiar.

Kiss the Rain.

That was the song Alexander once mentioned to me.

So he could play it himself.

And it belonged to them.

Their song.

No wonder he had recognized it instantly that day at the restaurant.

A bitter smile curved my lips.

Then my eyes caught something sparkling beneath the lights.

A ring.

Lilian was wearing a ring on her finger.

Though I was too far away to see it clearly, something deep inside me already knew.

It was the same ring I had seen in Alexander’s car.....