Chapter 1

When Tessa Yates arrived to pick up Zachary Gomez from the party, she paused at the doorway, her steps faltering as she overheard the conversation inside.

"Zachary, Wendy's back in town. What are you going to do about Tessa?"

Zachary's voice was calm, almost detached. "What about her?"

"You've been with Tessa for three years now, haven't you? Now that Wendy's back, who's it going to be?"

Through the gap in the door, Tessa saw Zachary light a cigarette.

Amid the thick haze of smoke, he fell quiet for a moment, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not sure what to do. I don't want to hurt Tessa, but I can't walk away from Wendy."

One of his friends let out a weary sigh. "Wendy was your first love. You two shared that intense, unforgettable connection. It's only natural that you'd still be holding on."

Another chimed in, "But seriously, Tessa's been with you for three years. She's beautiful too. Why can't you let go of Wendy?"

Zachary rubbed his temples, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "Tessa is beautiful, no doubt. I pursued her because she reminded me of Wendy. All these years, I've been chasing Wendy's shadow through her."

"So, Tessa's just a stand-in?" his friend sighed. "Honestly, I'm starting to feel bad for her."

Another friend asked, "When do you plan on breaking up with her, then?"

Zachary casually tapped the ash from his cigarette. "I'm not sure yet. Tessa's compliant and understanding. Honestly, I'm kind of reluctant to end things."

His friend gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. "Zachary, you can't keep playing both sides like this. You need to make a decision."

"What's the big deal? Just juggle both of them," another friend added nonchalantly. "If you feel bad about Tessa, buy her some gifts to make it up to her. Women are pretty easy to win over, you know."

Zachary let out a mocking laugh. "Not everyone is like you, juggling three or four women at once. I'm not that reckless."

Outside the door, Tessa gave a bitter smile before turning away and walking off.

Once she was outside the restaurant, she strolled along the riverside, her mind swirling with memories of the past three years with Zachary.

For three years, she had thought their relationship was built on love, but now, she realized she had simply been a replacement for Zachary's first love.

Standing by the water, Tessa felt torn between two worlds. To her left, the city's busy streets pulsed with life; to her right, the river stretched out, merging with the dark horizon.

A tear quietly slid down her cheek as the strong wind from the water tousled her hair.

In that instant, she made a decision.

Taking out her phone, she dialed a number.

"Hello, Dad. I've made up my mind. I'll come home and go through with the arranged marriage."

The darkness of the night made the faint glow of the streetlights seem even more insignificant, their light drawing swarms of tiny insects that danced around.

Standing beneath the dim light, Tessa stared at the endless night sky, her voice calm, almost detached. "It's nothing. I've had my share of fun. I'm ready to settle down and get married.

"It was my fault back then. I was reckless and immature. I shouldn't have fought with you or run away from home. I realize that now.

"I'll come back to Rivertown as soon as I take care of things here."

…

Tessa wandered alone outside for hours, and by the time she returned to Evergreen Villa, it was well past 10:00 pm.

As soon as she stepped inside, the housekeeper, Emma Grant, greeted her with a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

"Ms. Yates, you're back! This is the soup you made for Mr. Gomez, right? I noticed it had cooled, so I warmed it up again. I was just about to take it upstairs, but since you're here, would you like to bring it to him yourself?"

Without a word, Tessa took the bowl and headed upstairs.

She pushed the door open and found the desk area empty. The computer screen glowed faintly, but Zachary was nowhere in sight.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom, where the light still burned brightly.

Why was he showering so early?

Tessa placed the bowl of soup down on the desk.

Her attention was drawn to the constant pinging of WhatsApp notifications on the computer.

She moved the mouse and clicked to open the app.

It was a message from Wendy Cox.

"Hey Zachary, I'm back. My flight lands at Haverford Airport at 11:30 p.m. Can you come pick me up?"

The message had only been sent ten minutes ago.

That's why Zachary was showering—he was getting ready to pick up his first love.

"Zachary, I've missed you so much these years apart. I could never forget you, and I regret so deeply breaking up with you to focus on my career overseas.

"We were both too stubborn to admit our true feelings. But deep down, I believe you still care about me, don't you?

"Over the years, I've had a few relationships, but none of them ever lasted. Every time I was with someone, something always felt wrong. Now I realize—the one I've always loved is you.

"I've been too afraid to return to Haverford because I feared you still hated me, and I couldn't stand the thought of seeing you with someone else. I was scared you no longer loved me.

"I made a mistake back then. Zachary, can you ever forgive me?"

Tessa stared at the messages in silence, the weight in her chest almost suffocating.

Just as she was about to close the chat and leave, a new reply from Zachary appeared.

"Wendy, there's just one thing I need to ask—do you still love me?"

Even in the shower, he was replying to her messages.

Tessa's heart sank.

Zachary's days were packed with work, leaving him little time to respond to her texts.

She had grown used to it, rarely messaging him anymore to avoid interrupting his busy schedule.

However, Wendy's messages were a different story—Zachary always found time to reply, even while in the shower.

The stark contrast between love and indifference could not have been clearer.

Wendy's reply came almost instantly. "Yes, I still love you. Only you."

"Alright. I'll come pick you up."

In that instant, Tessa felt as if the past three years with Zachary had been nothing more than a cruel joke.

She quietly closed the chat window and set the mouse back in place, pretending nothing had changed.

She then went to the kitchen and served herself a bowl of the soup she had made for Zachary. She ate it slowly, savoring each spoonful.

Zachary had a sensitive stomach, so Tessa had perfected the chicken noodle soup just for him.

She would soak the noodles and vegetables in warm water first, then add them to a pot of boiling chicken broth, letting it simmer over low heat. Near the end, she'd gently stir in tender chunks of chicken.

It was a dish that required effort, but because he had once mentioned liking it, she'd been making it for him for two years.

Once Tessa had finished her soup, Zachary made his way downstairs.

He had finished his shower, dried his hair, and changed into a clean, sharp outfit.

"Where did you go? I didn't see you earlier," he asked.

"I went for a walk," Tessa replied evenly.

"I have something I need to take care of. If you're tired, you can go ahead and sleep. You don't need to wait for me," Zachary mentioned as he headed toward the door.

Tessa lowered her gaze and softly replied, "Okay."

"Will you be coming back tonight?" she asked.

Zachary paused for a moment as he put on his shoes. After a few seconds of silence, he finally answered, "There's an urgent matter at the company. If it takes too long, I probably won't be back tonight."

"Okay, I understand," Tessa replied, not arguing or making a scene.

She had always been considerate.

Zachary didn't give it a second thought. After putting on his shoes, he walked out without so much as a glance back.

Tessa went upstairs and opened the door to Zachary's bedroom. As she expected, the bowl of soup by the computer remained untouched.

All of a sudden, a message from Stephen Jacobson appeared on her phone. He was her fiancé, the one chosen for her in their arranged marriage.

Stephen asked, "Tess, when are you planning to return to Rivertown?"

To Tessa, Stephen felt more like a caring older brother than a fiancé. When he called her "Tess", it didn't feel like a term of endearment between an engaged couple, but rather a familiar, almost sibling-like address.

"Once I finish taking care of things here."

"Let me know if you need any help."

"Thanks, Stephen."

"Rest well. Goodnight."

That night, Zachary didn't come back.

The next morning, Tessa woke to the sound of her phone ringing.

"Hello?"

"Tessa, it's my birthday the day after tomorrow. Don't forget to come to my party!"

Still groggy, Tessa glanced at the caller ID.

It was Jodie Sullivan, a friend from Zachary's social circle with whom she had gotten along well.

"Sure, send me the details," she replied.

After hanging up, Tessa got ready and headed to the mall to find a gift for Jodie. She picked out a necklace from a popular brand that she knew would perfectly suit Jodie's style.

…

On the day of Jodie's birthday, Tessa arrived early at the venue.

"Happy birthday, Jodie," she wished, handing over the gift.

Jodie offered a polite smile and thanked her.

As they chatted, Zachary arrived fashionably late, his arm linked with a woman Tessa didn't recognize.

When their eyes met, he froze, clearly taken aback. "Tessa, what are you doing here?"

Chapter 2

Zachary instinctively shrugged the woman's hand off his arm, and her expression instantly hardened.

"I'm also friends with Jodie. Is it really so odd that I'm here at her birthday party?" Tessa asked, a faint, almost mocking smile on her lips.

"No, it's just that I thought you weren't a fan of parties like this, so I didn't bring it up," he explained.

Tessa couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Was that honestly the reason he hadn't mentioned it?

It felt more like he'd deliberately left her out, planning to bring someone else instead.

Zachary scanned the room, his eyes icy and probing, as if silently asking, "Who let her in?"

Unnerved, Jodie quickly looked away, acting as though it was none of her concern.

"Hi, you must be Tessa Yates. I'm Wendy Cox," the woman who had arrived with Zachary said, stepping forward to introduce herself. "I'm sure Zachary's mentioned me."

So, this was Wendy—the woman who had been Zachary's first love.

Tessa's heart ached, a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. After all, she had been in a relationship with Zachary for three years, and emotions weren't something that could just be erased in an instant.

Luckily, Tessa was good at masking her feelings. She gave a faint, polite smile and nodded toward Wendy. "Ms. Cox, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Wendy flashed a bright smile. "Ms. Yates, has anyone ever told you we look a little alike?"

The moment the words left Wendy's mouth, Zachary's expression soured.

Tessa couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of him. With a subtle smile, she shifted her gaze to Wendy, meeting her provocative stare.

"What? Really?" Tessa blinked her large, dewy eyes, her voice carrying a hint of innocence. "I don't see it. You're just not as pretty as I am."

The onlookers were left in stunned silence.

Wasn't Tessa always the quiet, well-behaved one? Why did everything she said today feel so tense?

Sensing the shift in the atmosphere, Jodie quickly stepped in to redirect the conversation.

"Okay, enough standing—let's sit down," she suggested.

Wendy quickly pushed aside her irritation with Tessa. Forcing a smile, she handed her gift to Jodie. "Happy birthday, Jodie. I got you something."

As Jodie took the gift, she couldn't help but notice the bag was exactly like the one Tessa had given her earlier.

Surprised, Jodie pulled the gift box from the bag and opened it. "Wow, I've been eyeing this necklace for ages. Thank you so much, Wendy."

Tessa's eyes widened. How could this be the same necklace she had bought?

Jodie then reached for the gift Tessa had given her earlier, pulling it from the bag again. "Wow! Tessa, yours is the same necklace too!"

"It must be a fake."

Without even looking at the necklace, one of Jodie's friends spoke dismissively, "This necklace costs over 50,000 dollars. Tessa's just a small-time lawyer—how much could she possibly make in a month? There's no way she could afford something so expensive."

An uncomfortable silence settled over the room.

Suspicious glances began to converge on Tessa from all sides.

It was clear they all shared the same opinion as the person who had just spoken.

After all, Tessa was just an unknown lawyer; they couldn't wrap their heads around how someone like her could afford such an expensive gift.

Zachary's expression darkened. "Tessa, if you're short on money, just tell me. I could've helped with the gift. I don't understand why—"

"Why would you give a fake gift?" was what he wanted to say, but he couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

The unspoken accusation was clear to everyone in the room, though.

Tessa's eyes narrowed as she met his gaze. "Zachary, do you think my gift to her is fake too?"

Zachary remained silent, his expression hardening.

His silence spoke louder than any words could.

Jodie forced a nervous laugh, attempting to ease the tension. "No way. Tessa and I are close friends. She would never give me a bogus gift. Please stop saying things like that—it's really hurtful."

Even as Jodie tried to defuse the situation, Tessa could still sense a subtle disdain in her eyes.

Her heart sank.

She had spent over 50,000 dollars on the necklace, hoping it would convey her gratitude for all the kindness Jodie had shown her in the past.

Three years ago, Tessa had cut ties with her family after refusing to go through with an arranged marriage. She walked away from everything, moving to Haverford on her own.

Her father, Samuel Yates, retaliated by freezing her bank account and cutting off all financial support. With no family connections to lean on, Tessa managed to land a job at a law firm purely through her own perseverance and hard work.

In her first year, she worked as a trainee lawyer, earning only four thousand dollars a month. After passing her licensing exams a year later, her salary improved, but it was still modest. To those in Zachary's social circle, she was nothing more than a penniless nobody.

The heirs and heiresses in Zachary's world had always looked down on her for being "poor". They'd deliberately leave her out when they went out, making her feel insignificant.

While Zachary chose to ignore it, Jodie had occasionally stepped in, even going out of her way to strike up a conversation with her.

Tessa had believed Jodie was different from the others, but it turned out she, too, looked down on her.

In hindsight, it all seemed so absurd.

The night Tessa consented to the arranged marriage, Samuel had reactivated her access to her bank account. 50,000 dollars now felt like little more than pocket change.

"Give me the necklace. I'll replace it with a proper birthday gift later," Zachary interjected. "Tessa didn't know any better. Sorry about that."

Jodie glanced between Tessa and Zachary, clearly torn.

Refusing to hand over the necklace might be seen as disrespecting Zachary.

However, if she complied, it would imply she believed the necklace was fake. On the surface, it would humiliate Tessa, but since Tessa was Zachary's girlfriend, it would also tarnish his reputation in the process.

"If he wants it, just give it to him," Tessa said, folding her arms and glaring coldly at Zachary.

With that, Jodie reluctantly handed the necklace over to him.

Standing off to the side, Wendy suddenly spoke up. "Zachary, don't be too hard on Ms. Yates. She had good intentions."

Zachary remained silent, his face set in a grim expression.

To ease the tension, someone suggested they play a game.

Wendy smiled and walked over, eager to join the drinking and games.

Uninterested in the commotion, Tessa made her way to a quiet corner and sat down on the couch.

Zachary followed and sat beside her, his expression still cold.

Tessa didn't acknowledge him, her attention absorbed by her phone.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, his tone low and measured. "If you were short on money, you could've bought something more affordable. It would've been better than gifting fake goods."

"If you're so sure it's fake, then just give it back to me," she replied flatly, her eyes still focused on her phone.

"You're making me look bad. Don't you realize that?"

Tessa closed her eyes, taking a few deep breaths.

After a moment, she opened them again and turned to face him.

"What exactly did I do to embarrass you? The receipt's in the bag. Can't you check it yourself, or should I take you to the store and have them confirm it for you?"

Zachary froze for a moment before lowering his head to look for the receipt.

After finding it and confirming the necklace was real, his expression softened, and his tone became less harsh. "Why didn't you mention the receipt earlier?"

Tessa let out a cold snort. "I couldn't be bothered."

With that, she turned her attention back to her phone.

After a long pause, Zachary finally muttered an apology. "I'm sorry. I misjudged you earlier."

Tessa pretended not to hear, completely focused on her game.

He sat beside her in silence, though his gaze frequently drifted toward the group playing games.

More specifically, his eyes were fixed on Wendy.

As Tessa finished her game and glanced up, she caught Zachary staring intently at Wendy.

When Wendy lost a round and was called to drink, Zachary hesitated at first.

But when he saw her down a third drink and reach for a fourth, he stood up abruptly. Striding over, he snatched the glass from her hand in one quick motion.

"With your stomach problems, how can you drink so much? Wendy, are you trying to hurt yourself?"

It was clear to everyone that Zachary was seething with anger.

The once lively atmosphere in the room immediately fell silent, and all eyes turned to them.

Irritated, Wendy lifted her chin and met Zachary's furious gaze. "And why do you care?"

"You're done drinking." With that, he turned to the group who had been encouraging her, his cold stare sweeping over them. "Anyone who tries to get her to drink again will answer to me."

The others quickly looked away, too intimidated to meet his gaze.

Sitting on the couch, Tessa observed the scene unfolding before her, a mocking smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Without warning, Wendy stood up and reached for the glass of wine in Zachary's hand.

Zachary raised the glass high, deliberately keeping it just out of her reach.

Refusing to give up, Wendy rose onto her tiptoes, but her balance faltered, and she stumbled straight into Zachary's arms.

Zachary instinctively caught her, his other arm pulling her close. "Careful. After all these years, you're still as careless as ever."

Wendy's cheeks flushed as she leaned against Zachary's chest, tilting her head back to meet his gaze.

"Zachary, you're so annoying," she teased, her voice laced with a hint of affection.

The crowd around them began teasing the two of them once more.

Just as Zachary was about to respond, he looked up and was taken off guard by Tessa's cold, unblinking stare.

Chapter 3

It wasn't until that moment that Zachary seemed to realize Tessa was still there. As if snapping out of a daze, he quickly withdrew his arm from around Wendy's waist and stepped back, distancing himself by a couple of paces.

Noticing the shift in his gaze, Zachary's friends finally registered Tessa's presence. They jumped in quickly, eager to defuse the growing tension.

"Alright, let's keep going. Wendy, if your stomach's acting up, you don't have to drink. If you lose, we'll switch to Truth or Dare instead."

"Great idea. Truth or Dare, it is!"

After steadying himself, Zachary returned to the couch.

He was expecting Tessa to react—perhaps show some jealousy or make a scene, but to his surprise, she said nothing.

Her indifference unsettled him, a nagging unease creeping into his mind.

He couldn't shake the feeling that Tessa was somehow different from how she used to be.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them.

Just as Zachary was about to say something, the teasing voices from across the room interrupted him.

"Wendy, you lost again! Truth or dare?"

Zachary's attention snapped back to Wendy, his eyes locking onto hers.

"I choose Dare."

Wendy turned to face him, her gaze meeting his as she flashed a playful, enigmatic smile.

"Alright, here are the dares," someone called out, holding up a stack of paper slips. "Go ahead and pick one!"

Wendy casually grabbed a slip, and as the person unfolded it, his eyes widened in disbelief.

He shot a nervous glance between Wendy, Zachary, and Tessa.

A curious woman leaned in to take a look. "What does it say? Let me see!"

She gasped loudly, clearly shocked by what was written on the note.

A wave of curiosity spread through the group.

"What did it say?"

"Come on, tell us! What's on the note?"

"Randomly choose someone of the opposite sex and kiss them," the man read aloud, his eyes darting toward Zachary.

The moment Zachary heard those words, his face froze.

A chill seemed to fall over the room as if the temperature had dropped.

Wendy, however, acted as if nothing had changed. With a carefree smile, she stood up and walked over to a handsome man standing nearby.

"Andy, would you mind if I kissed you?" she asked.

Andy Lennon glanced at Zachary, whose face was twisted in a storm of anger. He froze, barely daring to exhale.

Ignoring the tense silence, Wendy leaned in closer, slipping her arms around Andy's neck as if the kiss was inevitable.

"That's enough!" Zachary's voice boomed through the room.

Unable to tolerate it any longer, he seized Wendy's hand and stormed out of the room, pulling her along.

The others exchanged nervous glances, and soon, all eyes turned to Tessa, full of sympathy.

Unfazed, Tessa took a sip of the juice on the table, flashing a casual smile. "What are you all staring at?"

The others quickly turned away, pretending to focus on their drinks or conversations, acting as if nothing had happened.

As Tessa drank her juice, a coldness settled in her heart with each passing moment.

In her mind, Zachary had always been calm and composed, as if nothing could ever disturb him. This was the first time she had seen him lose control so completely.

Once her glass was empty, Tessa stood up and headed toward the restroom.

Through the door, she could hear the voices of several women chatting near the sink outside.

"Zachary's really lost it! I can't believe he left his girlfriend here and took off with Wendy."

"Looks like Wendy's the one he cares about most."

"Yeah, did you see his face? When Wendy was about to kiss Andy, Zachary looked absolutely terrifying."

"I saw it. Her girlfriend is really pitiful, having to watch her boyfriend fall apart over another woman right in front of her."

"Poor thing. It's obvious she's just there to fill the spot."

"Honestly, I think Zachary and Tessa are on their way out. It's pretty clear he's in love with Wendy."

"Yeah, I think—"

Suddenly, the woman froze, her gaze meeting Tessa's reflection as she stepped out of one of the restroom stalls.

The other two women noticed Tessa too. Without another word, they quickly lowered their heads and hurried out of the restroom.

Tessa approached the mirror, washing her hands with an air of composure. Indeed, she and Zachary were likely nearing the end of their relationship.

However, it wouldn't be because he had decided it, or because he didn't want her anymore.

It would be because she didn't love him anymore and because she no longer wanted him.

…

By the time Tessa got back to Zachary's villa, it was already past 11:00 pm.

She was completely drained. After a quick shower, she crawled into bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

Zachary didn't come home until the next afternoon.

When he opened the bedroom door, his gaze immediately fell on a suitcase sprawled open on the floor.

"What's this about?" he asked, confusion flickering across his face.

Tessa peeked out from behind the wardrobe. "You're back. I'm planning to head home for a bit."

Over the past two years, she had collected quite a bit—clothes, shoes, and various odds and ends. While some things weren't worth taking back to Rivertown, everything still had to be sorted, packed, or thrown away.

By the time she left, there would be nothing left of her here.

As soon as she finished speaking, Tessa's gaze fell on the unmistakable red marks on Zachary's neck. She paused for a moment, then quickly averted her eyes, pretending she hadn't seen them at all.

She had already given up on Zachary.

What he did with anyone else didn't matter to her anymore.

Zachary frowned as he processed her words. "Why the sudden urge to go back home? Are you still upset about last night? Is this your way of avoiding me?"

"No, I just miss my parents and want to visit them."

His frown softened at her response. "I guess going home for a visit isn't such a bad idea."

In the three years they'd been together, Tessa had never returned home.

Even during the holidays, she spent them alone.

Zachary had never once skipped the New Year with his family to be with her, nor had he ever taken her home for the holidays.

He knew his mother, Yanis Morgenstern, would never accept a woman without a solid family background.

After a brief pause, he spoke again. "I've been really busy lately, so I won't be able to go with you. When's your flight? I'll have the chauffeur take you to the airport."

Tessa picked out a few of her favorite clothes and laid them neatly on the bed. She folded each piece meticulously before packing them into her suitcase.

"It's okay. I'll call a ride. Someone will be there to pick me up."

At her response, Zachary couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh of relief.

He had been worried she might ask him to go with her to meet her parents.

They had been together for three years now, and for most couples, it would be the time to meet each other's families and start discussing marriage.

Zachary was not like most people, though. He was the only child of the Gomez family and the sole heir to the Gomez Group.

The rift between their families was a gulf too wide to ever be crossed.

Zachary knew there could never be a future for him and Tessa.

With that in mind, meeting her parents was unnecessary.

Thankfully, Tessa understood this as well and didn't press him to accompany her.

With that thought, Zachary couldn't help but silently appreciate Tessa's understanding and composure once again.

Last night, he had left her and gone off with Wendy on a whim, expecting Tessa to be upset and create a scene today.

But to his surprise, she remained calm and didn't cause any trouble, easing the situation for him.

In the three years they had been together, Tessa was never like other women. She didn't monitor his every move, nor did she start arguments when he spent time with other women.

At that moment, his best friend's voice echoed in his mind.

"Just juggle both of them. If you feel bad about Tessa, buy her some gifts to make it up to her. Women are pretty easy to win over, you know."

Maybe he could marry Wendy and keep Tessa as his secret lover.

After all, a man like him—privileged and from a well-established family—was a rarity. An ordinary woman like Tessa might never have the chance to meet someone like him again.

Given how deeply Tessa loved him, there was no way she would walk away.

Nonetheless, Zachary decided it would be best to wait until she returned from her hometown to have a proper conversation.

"Stay safe on your way back. Let me know when you get home, and when you're back in Haverford, just give me a call—I'll come pick you up," he said.

Tessa looked down, her voice barely above a whisper as she replied, "Okay."

However, in her heart, she knew she wouldn't be returning.

Just as Zachary was about to say something else, his phone rang.

He answered the call.

A few minutes later, he ended the call and turned to Tessa. "I need to step out for a bit. About last night, I was in the wrong. I shouldn't have left you there alone. I got you a gift, and my assistant will bring it over soon."

Tessa replied distantly, "Okay."

Without another word, Zachary turned and left.

Not long after he was gone, she received a message from Stephen.

Chapter 4

"Tess, the custom engagement ring I ordered for you from Chaumet has arrived at the Haverford store. Feel free to stop by and have a look whenever you have the chance."

Chaumet was a prestigious, internationally renowned diamond ring brand.

Tessa had only agreed to the arranged marriage just days ago, yet the custom ring had already arrived.

Had it been ordered ahead of time?

Tessa didn't press for more information. "Okay," she replied.

…

When she arrived at the Chaumet store, the staff eagerly presented the ring. "Ms. Yates, this is the engagement ring Mr. Jacobson had custom-made for you."

Tessa picked up the ring and studied it closely.

The centerpiece was a striking five-carat blue diamond, set in a band decorated with tiny pink and colorless diamonds. Its brilliance shimmered under the light, enchanting everyone who looked at it.

"This ring also has the initials of you and Mr. Jacobson engraved inside."

Tessa took a closer look at the engraving, which unmistakably read "SJ TY."

It was evident that a lot of thought had gone into the design.

She slid the ring onto her finger, and it fit perfectly.

"It's stunning," the staff member complimented, clearly impressed.

Just as she admired the ring, Zachary's voice suddenly came from behind her. "Tessa, what are you doing here?"

She frowned and turned around.

As soon as she did, Zachary released Wendy's hand.

A cold glimmer flashed in Wendy's eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly, and her expression settled back into its usual calm demeanor.

Tessa wasn't surprised to find Zachary with Wendy.

She gave him a sweet smile and replied, "I came to try on this ring."

At the sound of her words, Zachary moved closer. The moment his eyes landed on the ring on Tessa's finger, his expression darkened instantly.

With a bright smile, Tessa twirled her hand, letting the dazzling diamond sparkle in the light. "So, what do you think? Isn't it beautiful?"

A flash of anger flickered in Zachary's eyes. "It's not."

Both of them knew exactly what the ring signified.

Zachary had always viewed Tessa as obedient and understanding, never once considering that she might desire something that wasn't hers to claim.

Marriage was something he could never offer her.

And frankly, Tessa wasn't worthy of it.

Zachary's face remained cold, and he didn't say a word.

Standing beside him, Wendy gave Tessa a sweet smile. "What a coincidence, Ms. Yates. Zachary and I are here to look at rings as well."

Tessa couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

So, the call Zachary had taken earlier had been from Wendy.

It seemed the "business" he had to attend to was nothing more than shopping for rings with her.

Zachary didn't feel the need to explain himself and silently accepted Wendy's words.

Meanwhile, Wendy's gaze shifted to the ring on Tessa's finger. The blue diamond at its center had to be at least five carats, and it was surrounded by rare pink diamonds.

This ring must be worth seven or eight million dollars. How could Tessa even think of trying it on? Wasn't she embarrassed wearing something so far out of her league?

Noticing the subtle challenge in Wendy's tone, Tessa merely responded with a disinterested, "Okay," before turning her attention back to admiring the ring on her finger, unfazed by the tension in the air.

She couldn't help but acknowledge Stephen's impeccable taste—she was thoroughly pleased with the ring.

"Ms. Yates, that ring is absolutely stunning," Wendy remarked with a smile.

"Yes, I think it's beautiful too."

Zachary's expression grew dark with frustration. "Tessa, take off the ring."

"Why?" Tessa feigned confusion, tilting her head as she met his gaze.

"What are you trying on the ring for? Are you pressuring me for a wedding?" he snapped, his anger surfacing. "I'm not marrying you!"

A subtle smile curled at the corners of Wendy's lips as she relished the moment.

"Ms. Yates, Zachary and I are only here today because Mrs. Gomez asked us to try on some rings."

The "Mrs. Gomez" she mentioned was Zachary's mother, Yanis.

Wendy's message was crystal clear—"I've been chosen by Zachary's mother. She's already made her decision, so don't even think about becoming part of the Gomez family."

Tessa couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh as she glanced at the couple in front of her.

She was simply trying on the engagement ring her fiancé had designed for her, yet they were acting as if they had just claimed some major victory.

One was lost in his own delusions, convinced she was trying to pressure him into marriage.

The other was eager to flaunt Yanis' supposed approval.

The Gomez family was nothing more than a small, insignificant household in Haverford—Samuel wouldn't even give them a passing glance.

"Oh, I see," Tessa said, her voice calm and indifferent.

Wendy and Zachary both paused, visibly thrown off by her lack of reaction.

Why didn't she seem bothered?

Wendy scrutinized Tessa's face, hoping to detect a hint of jealousy or frustration.

But Tessa's expression remained stoic, leaving Wendy uncertain.

Was Tessa pretending to be unfazed, or did she genuinely not care at all?

Zachary's expression darkened with frustration.

"Tessa, is this some kind of joke? You knew Wendy and I were coming to try on rings today, didn't you? Did you purposely come here just to mess with me?

"Let me make this clear—there's no future between us. Your attempts to pressure me into marriage won't work.

"Marriage is about compatibility and status. With your background, how could you even think we'd be a good match?"

Zachary continued to berate her, "Just look at yourself. You're an embarrassment!"

He was absolutely livid, unleashing a stream of harsh insults.

Tessa, however, remained unfazed.

A sly smile tugged at her lips as she asked, "Am I embarrassing you again?

"Last I checked, we haven't broken up. So, by that logic, Ms. Cox is the mistress—and you're the one cheating. So, tell me, who's really the one embarrassing themselves here?"

Zachary's fury surged, his chest rising and falling as he snapped, "Are you taking it off or not?"

Tessa's voice was calm, almost indifferent. "No."

"Fine. Keep it on if you want. But don't get any ideas about me buying you a ring or marrying you!"

"Right."

Tessa's indifference left Zachary at a loss, his mind racing for a way to react.

With a final glare, he turned and stormed off in a fury.

Wendy quickly followed, calling out, "Zachary, wait up!"

After the two of them left, the staff member stood there, completely baffled. "Ms. Yates, who were they?"

"Just some insignificant people. There's no need to worry about them."

Despite having been together for three years, Zachary had never once considered marrying Tessa.

What he didn't realize was that he wasn't even worthy of marrying her, and she had never thought of marrying him either.

Tessa took a few photos of the ring on her finger and sent them to Stephen.

"How does it look?"

At that moment, Stephen was in the CEO's office at Jacobson Corporation in Rivertown.

As he saw the message from "Tess" on his phone, a subtle smile spread across his face.

He set the document down and quickly typed back, "It looks great. Do you like it?"

"I do."

Stephen's smile deepened.

"I'm happy to hear that."

"Stephen, this ring must have cost a fortune, right?"

"It's not too expensive. You deserve the best."

Stephen's assistant, Gary Waldorf, stood off to the side, quietly waiting for Stephen to sign the papers.

He couldn't help but steal a few glances at Stephen, wondering if he was imagining things.

Was the usually distant, composed CEO actually smiling?

And not just any smile—one so warm and charming, it felt as though a cloud of pink bubbles had surrounded him.

"All set. What are you staring at?" Stephen asked, his icy demeanor returning as he looked at Gary.

Shaking himself out of his daze, Gary quickly grabbed the document from Stephen's hands. "Nothing, sir. I'll be on my way now."

Meanwhile, Tessa took off the ring and walked into the high-end men's watch boutique next door. She had decided to buy a watch for Stephen, a gift she hoped to give him when they met in Rivertown.

Samuel had recently sent her a photo of Stephen.

He exuded an air of sophistication, with sharp brows, piercing eyes, and sculpted features—just as she had imagined.

Tessa carefully chose a stylish black watch, convinced it would be the perfect gift for Stephen.

As she finished swiping her card, a familiar voice called out to her. "Tessa, what are you doing here..."

Chapter 5

The person approaching was Zion Jenkins, one of Zachary's friends.

He was the same man who had shown sympathy toward Tessa during that evening's gathering.

Tessa had known Zion for nearly three years and had always thought highly of him.

"I'm just picking up a few things," she said.

He glanced at the bag in her hand. "Is that for Zachary?"

Tessa didn't feel like explaining, so she gave a silent nod.

"This brand of watch isn't cheap. Even the most basic models cost five figures. You really don't need to get him something so expensive. Zachary..."

"Didn't deserve it" was what Zion wanted to say.

Zachary had openly confessed that he couldn't let go of Wendy and was only using Tessa as a placeholder.

Last night, he even abandoned Tessa and walked out with Wendy in front of everyone.

After leaving the birthday party, Zachary and Wendy spent the night together at a hotel. Tessa had no idea what had transpired, but Zion knew exactly what had happened.

They had a small group chat for their circle of friends, and despite being with Zachary for three years, Tessa had never been added. But as soon as Wendy came back to the country, Zachary added her without a second thought.

Earlier that afternoon, Wendy had shared a photo of herself and Zachary in bed in their group chat, casually suggesting that Zachary keep it as a memento.

However, within minutes, she retracted it, claiming it was sent by mistake.

Zion had caught the message just in time. He had thought about saying something but ultimately decided against it. It wasn't his place, and it felt smarter to stay out of it.

As Zion thought it over, he had initially planned to tell Tessa the truth and urge her to move on. But just as he was about to speak, he hesitated and stopped himself.

"Zachary doesn't need things like this. You really don't have to spend months of your salary on such an expensive gift for him."

Zachary had been his close friend for over a decade, and it was difficult to bring himself to say anything too harsh.

Still, part of him considered telling Tessa that the gift might not even mean anything to Zachary.

Yet, those words seemed too cruel, and Zion couldn't find the strength to say them.

Despite everything, Tessa knew Zachary didn't deserve her love. The gift hadn't even been meant for him. She nodded and gave a polite smile. "Alright, I won't do it again next time."

After a bit more conversation, Zion and Tessa parted ways.

As Zion watched her walk away, he let out a deep sigh. "She's such a good person... How did she end up caught up with Zachary?"

Unable to shake the feeling, he opened WhatsApp and sent Zachary a message.

"Hey Zachary, your girlfriend is really something else. I just saw her buying you a watch that costs thousands, and she did it like it was nothing. That's probably a few months of her salary. You'd better appreciate her."

Zachary was having dinner with Wendy when he received the message.

The frustration that had been building inside him vanished in an instant as he read it, and his expression gradually softened.

Maybe Tessa was trying to make up for things with the gift. If that was the case, he could at least meet her halfway.

He intended to accept the gift, apologize for his earlier tone, and assure her not to take it too seriously. Afterward, he'd throw in a few compliments to smooth things over—Tessa would definitely appreciate that.

"Zachary, what's going on? Who's messaging you?" Wendy asked, looking at him across the table.

Zachary quickly hid his phone and answered casually, "It's nothing."

Wendy didn't push the issue.

A few moments later, he excused himself to the restroom. Seizing the opportunity, she quickly grabbed his phone from the table.

She had seen him enter his password before—it was his birthday, making it easy to recall.

Without hesitation, Wendy typed in the password and opened WhatsApp.

She went straight to Tessa's conversation and saw that the last message was from a week ago. Tessa had asked if he was interested in taking a trip during the upcoming holiday, mentioning that it was her only chance to get away and explore.

She had even shared a few travel guides for places she was excited to visit.

Zachary had taken five hours to reply. "There'll be so many people during the holidays. What's there to enjoy?"

After that, Tessa had stopped messaging him altogether.

As Wendy casually scrolled through the travel destinations, a flash of mockery flickered in her eyes.

It seemed their three-year relationship wasn't as solid as it appeared. He couldn't even be bothered to go on a trip with Tessa.

With no other significant messages from Tessa, Wendy left the chat and absentmindedly scrolled through Zachary's feed, eventually stopping at Zion's message.

She couldn't help but scoff. Reflecting on the times Tessa had seemed entirely indifferent, a sense of contempt bubbled up inside her.

Wendy had assumed Tessa was finally ready to move on, but instead, Tessa was still trying to win Zachary back with gifts.

With that, Wendy exited the app and turned off Zachary's phone. After placing it back where it had been, she took out her own phone and called Yanis.

"Hello, Mrs. Gomez. I was with Zachary at the jewelry store earlier and happened to run into the woman he's seeing. She was trying on rings and pushing him to propose..."

…

With the gift in hand, Tessa returned to the villa and resumed packing her suitcase.

As she carefully placed the gift for Stephen inside, his cold, handsome face suddenly drifted into her mind.

She and Stephen had known each other for a long time.

Their families lived only a few hundred meters apart in the same neighborhood, so they frequently crossed paths when they were younger.

Stephen was four years older than her, and the first time she saw him was at the Jacobson manor.

Tessa's parents had taken her to visit the Jacobson family when she was only ten. By then, Stephen had already become the picture-perfect image of a young male lead from a school drama.

Tessa still remembered the first time she saw Stephen—it took her breath away.

His face was strikingly handsome, with an almost intimidating presence, and his eyes as cold as winter's snow.

When her mother asked her to greet him, Tessa would respectfully call out his name.

Looking back, she remembered how Stephen had kept his distance, offering only a brief, indifferent "Hello."

At the time, she thought he must be hard to get close to.

That misunderstanding had stayed with her for years.

When Tessa was in high school and struggling with math, Stephen's mother, Sophia Jameson, somehow caught wind of it.

With a smile, she turned to Samuel and suggested, "Why don't we have Stephen help Tess with her tutoring? He was top of his class in math and even scored 747 on the math section of the SAT!"

By that time, Tessa's mother had already passed away, and Tessa had undergone a significant change.

In the five years since, she had transformed from a carefree, lighthearted child into a quiet, rebellious teenager.

"I don't need you to teach me," were the first words Tessa said to Stephen when he walked in.

At the time, Stephen was only 21. He stood tall and slender, easily over six feet. He wore a simple white t-shirt and dark grey jeans, and his slightly messy hair added a youthful, almost boyish charm to his look.

"But I'm going to teach you anyway," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.

Tessa braced herself, expecting Stephen to be strict and demanding.

But to her surprise, after a quick glance at her math test, he simply furrowed his brows and patiently walked her through each problem.

As he explained each mistake, there was no trace of impatience.

His voice was deep and smooth, with a slight gravelly tone, and as Tessa listened, she found that math wasn't nearly as dreadful as she had once thought.

For problems with multiple methods, Stephen took his time to explain each approach in detail.

Tessa's initial resistance and dismissive attitude gradually gave way to admiration and respect.

"Wow, Stephen, you're amazing! It's been years since high school, and you still remember all this so clearly."

"Not everything," he replied. "I refreshed my memory by going through the textbook before coming."

After a brief pause, he gently tapped her on the head with his pen. "No need for all the formalities."

During the summer of her sophomore year, Tessa was tutored by Stephen for two months.

At the time, Stephen was a third-year student at Rivertown University. He chose to spend most of his summer at home, focusing on tutoring rather than going out.

His days were filled with helping Tessa—whether that meant tutoring, reviewing her test papers, or grading assignments.

Summer vacation was always short for high school students, and by the time Tessa went back to school, Stephen was still enjoying his break.

Every day after school, she would come home to find him lounging on the couch in her living room, ready to continue their tutoring sessions.

Thanks to Stephen, Tessa's math scores soared, jumping from a failing grade to an impressive 692.

With math no longer a barrier, she thrived in all her other subjects and aced the SAT. She was accepted into Rivertown University, where she eventually became Stephen's junior.

At that time, Tessa viewed Stephen as nothing more than a kind older brother.

She admired and liked him, but there was no romantic feeling.

So, when Samuel told her she was meant to marry into the Jacobson family and wed Stephen, she couldn't bring herself to accept it.

To her, Stephen was family—how could a sister marry her brother?

As she got lost in these thoughts, the bedroom door creaked open. Zachary stood in the doorway, his eyes locked on her. "Have you packed everything?"

"Yeah, almost," Tessa answered.

He leaned casually against the doorframe. "Tessa, is there something you want to tell me?"