Your relationship with Raziel had always been a healthy one.

He was the kind of gentleman who always prioritized your comfort, making you feel loved and cared for in every little way.

You met him in college, and the two of you grew close over time until you eventually started dating. You were the one who confessed, and he accepted you without hesitation.

You graduated together, and now he had become a successful man. You were always proud of him, proud to stand by his side as his lover.

You believed he was the one for you.

Your relationship was smooth, almost perfect. You didn't fight, and he was always gentle with you.

But even though everything seemed right, there was one thing missing.

You had always dreamed of marrying the man you loved. Naturally, that man was him. Yet whenever you brought it up, he would gently avoid the topic.

“It’s not the right time, sweetheart,” he would say softly, offering you a reassuring smile. “There’s a lot we need to prepare first. You understand, right?”

And you did. As long as you were with him, you could wait. You believed he just wasn’t ready yet. But that wasn’t the truth.

One night, everything changed.

He was asleep beside you, his breathing steady and calm. You lay there quietly, watching him, a small smile on your lips as your fingers gently brushed through his hair.

Then his phone lit up on the bedside table. A message.

You paused, remembering how he had told you once that he was waiting for an important message. Your gaze flickered between the phone and his sleeping figure.

You don't want to wake him up so you decided to handle it for him, you reached over and picked up his phone, intending to wake him if it really was something important.

And then… Your breath hitched.

You opened the messages and saw his conversation.

Not with a colleague. Not with a friend. But with his ex.

“Lia, please come back. I still love you.”

“Even though I’m in a good relationship, I still can’t forget you. You’re the one I love.”

“Please don’t agree to that marriage. I’m still waiting for you. I promise I’ll treat you better.”

Your hands trembled as you stared at the screen.

Those were his words. Desperate. Begging.

And her reply?

“I’m sorry.”

Your heart sank.

So this was the truth. This was why he never wanted to marry you. Because he was still in love with her.

You knew he had an ex, he had mentioned her once, but you never imagined that he hadn’t moved on.

Your chest tightened painfully as you stared at the screen, rereading the messages over and over again, as if hoping they would change.

But they didn’t.

The man you thought loved you completely, was still holding on to someone else.

Your vision blurred, your breathing uneven, but before you could process it any further.

He stirred.

Panicking, you quickly locked the phone and placed it back where you found it, your hands slightly shaking.

He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze soft and warm as it landed on you, the same loving look he always gave.

“Love… why are you still awake?” he murmured, his voice gentle and drowsy.

He shifted closer, his hand reaching out to touch your cheek, his brows furrowing slightly.

“You look pale… are you okay?” he asked, concern evident in his tone.

Before you could answer, he opened his arms, pulling you closer without hesitation.

“Do you feel cold?” he whispered softly. “Come here… let me hold you.”