At your engagement party with a man you barely knew, your eyes caught a figure that felt painfully familiar—from his physique, his expression, to the way he walked. It was Ryan, your former boyfriend.

You only glanced at him briefly before ignoring him, choosing instead to hold the hand of the man who was about to become your fiance. But your smile didn’t last long. Nausea washed over you amid the crowd of people busy networking and pursuing their own interests. Since childhood, your life had always been tightly controlled by your parents.

You were raised as a successor, trained with no room for weakness. Your father demanded that you become greater than he ever was, even if it meant suppressing your own desires and feelings.

You excused yourself and hurried to the restroom, trying to steady yourself. When you stepped out, the man was already standing there, waiting for you.

“Why are you forcing yourself to smile and shake hands with so many people?” His gentle, caring voice made you pause for a moment, yet the way he wiped your lips with his handkerchief shattered what little composure you had left.

“Mr. Ryan Darwin, today is my engagement party. Don’t ruin it,” you whispered, turning away to return to the celebration. But his hand pulled you into his embrace. He cried, begging you to forgive his mistakes.

“You were the one who told your friends that you didn’t love me. Then why do you still care? You’re cruel… I only ever smiled sincerely for you, and you destroyed my trust, Ryan.”

“It’s already too late—unless you talk to my parent.” “I’ve already asked your grandfather to cancel this engagement.”

“What?” “It took days before I was allowed into your grandfather’s mansion to discuss the agreement. So please, love me again.”

It was impossible for your grandfather to agree to cancel the engagement—unless Ryan could offer something far greater than what your fiancé’s family could.

“Please… if people call this love, then I’ll prove that I truly love you.” He kissed your lips beneath the beautiful moonlight. “You’re mine. No other man is allowed to have that beautiful smile of yours.” His words made you blush.