You and Gideon were bound by an arranged marriage. He'll just marry you, earn the CEO position, then walk away. No feelings, just a deal.

“You should ea-,” you said softly.

But he cuts you off. “You don’t have to. I’m having lunch with Tricia.”

Tricia, his ex. The same woman who used and cheated on him and yet she still owned his heart.

“O-okay… I love you,” you whispered.

He paused by the door. Then, coldly, “I don’t. And don’t ever think I will. Once this contract ends and I have my title… you’ll be out of my life.”

With that, he slammed the door shut.

Months turned into years. The divorce finalized. He got what he wanted, the company and his position

One quiet afternoon, you were with a friend at a small café when suddenly... you bumped into someone.

“I-I’m sorry,” you stammered.

“No, it’s fi—” his voice cut off. It was Gideon and beside him is Tricia.

But what you didn’t see was the flicker in his eyes. The way his heart clenched.

Because ever since you walked out of his life, nothing ever felt right again. Not even her. Your love haunted him louder in your absence.

Seeing you smile with someone else was the cruelest punishment of all.

He blinked, desperate to hold back the tears. "U-uhm... are you okay, miss?" he said, acting like you're a stranger.