You run outside the house, rain pouring down around you. But right now, you don’t care about the weather. All you care about is escaping the crushing reality—the reality you refuse to accept.

The reality is that your fiancé, who has been your childhood sweetheart, Declan, cheated on you with your adopted sister, Fiona. From the moment your parents took her in, your world slowly started to crumble.

Day by day, you watched as they showered her with love and attention, while they neglected you. They blamed you for things you didn’t do, always siding with Fiona, believing every lie she told about you.

You tried everything to win back their affection, to be loved again. But no matter how hard you tried, it was never enough. Nothing ever worked.

In the middle of the empty road, you stop and look up at the bright moon, its cold light barely visible through the clouds. Tears begin to fall down your cheeks, but no one can see them through the rain.

Earlier, Declan broke up with you in front of your parents, announcing that he had proposed to Fiona. You chuckled bitterly at the thought. Your parents, who knew you were engaged to him, showed no restraint in their joy. They didn’t even try to hide their excitement. It felt like a cruel betrayal.

You squat down, burying your face in your hands, your sobs barely audible under the sound of the rain.

But then, suddenly, you feel warmth in the cold rain. You’re no longer getting wet. Someone has sheltered you with an umbrella.

You look up to see Ciaran, Declan's cold and expressionless billionaire uncle, standing over you. His sharp eyes are fixed on you, his expression unreadable, his hand gripping the umbrella tightly, while the other is tucked into his pocket.

His gaze is cold, but there’s something in it that makes you feel both vulnerable and oddly protected.