Chapter 1

“Summer, I plan to return to my hometown by the end of the month and stay there permanently. Save me a spot at your nail salon.”

As soon as she finished speaking, her best friend Summer's surprised voice came through the phone: "What? You're coming back? That poor little guy you brought home back then is now the youngest professor at Northwest M. University! You supported him for so many years, finally made it big—why wouldn’t you stay in Maple City to enjoy the good life? Why do you suddenly want to come back to our small town instead of staying in Maple City and enjoying life? Is it because he's not treating you well?”

“No, he’s been very kind to me.” Gabrielle Oliver interrupted her, unconsciously rubbing her phone’s edge with her fingertips. “I just don’t want to stay in Maple City anymore.” "

“What about Frederick Grant? Is he coming back with you?”

Gabrielle's breath caught for a moment. The setting sun outside stretched her shadow long and lonely on the wall.

“No, just me,” she heard herself say. “He'll stay here, get married, have children, and start a new life.”

After hanging up, the phone vibrated.

A message from Jacqueline Perkins: “Miss Oliver, have you made up your mind?”

Gabrielle’s fingertips lingered on the screen for a long time before she finally replied, “I’ve made up my mind. I’ll leave Frederick.”

Frederick.

Just the sound of his name rolling off her lips caused a faint, stinging pain in her heart.

She remembered the first time she saw Frederick, at the freshman orientation ceremony.

He took the stage as a student representative, dressed in a neat school uniform, standing in the sunlight, his voice was clear and pleasant.

At that time, he was the secret crush of every girl in school, academically outstanding, and exceptionally handsome—the envy of everyone.

But Gabrielle, however, was a girl who grew up in an orphanage with mediocre grades, didn't even have the courage to speak to him.

Everything changed in her sophomore year.

Frederick's illegitimate status was exposed, and his mother's explicit photos were maliciously plastered all over the school. Overnight, he fell from grace and became the object of everyone's scorn.

He was isolated, humiliated, and even driven to attempt suicide by jumping into a river.

It was she who pulled him out of the river.

That night, he was soaking wet, his eyes vacant as he asked her, “Why did you save me?”

She couldn't find a reason, so she just held his hand tightly, afraid that if she let go, he would disappear again.

Later, they lived in a ten-square-meter rental apartment, relying on each other for survival.

When the college entrance exam results came out, it was clear that the tuition fees would only cover one person, so she voluntarily gave up her chance to go to university.

He asked her, “Why?”

She forced a smile and said, " My grades are average, and I only got into an ordinary university. I’ll definitely let you go. You don’t have to worry about living expenses at school. I’m working three jobs a day now, so I can afford it.”

He remained silent for a long time before finally saying, “Gabrielle, I’ll make sure you live a good life.”

Later, he truly made it happen.

He skipped grades, completed his master’s and PhD consecutively, and became the youngest professor at Northwest M. University at the age of 24, earning the title of “genius scholar.” .

Their life finally improved, and he moved her into a luxurious riverside apartment.

She thought everything had turned out for the best.

Until one day, she accidentally saw his phone.

Jacqueline, the daughter of the university president of Northwest M. University, was beautiful, talented, and radiant.

Such a girl had sent him countless messages.

【Today’s experiment failed again, I’m so upset.】

【I brought you coffee, it’s in your office.】

【Why aren't you replying to my messages? Do you hate me?】

Frederick had always replied coldly, until Jacqueline angrily confronted him, and he explained: 【I don't hate you, I just don't know how to interact with girls.】

The next day, Frederick unexpectedly asked Gabrielle, “What kind of gift would make a girl happy?”

At that moment, Gabrielle's heart ached as if it had been pierced by a needle.

Over the years, she had thought about confessing her feelings to Frederick.

But he was always busy studying and doing experiments, so she kept her feelings hidden.

Now, she finally understood that Frederick only felt gratitude toward her, not love.

Soon after, the girl named Jacqueline approached her.

That day, she brought a folder containing copies of all the bed photos that had driven Frederick’s mother to suicide.

“Frederick’s half-brother wanted to use the same tactic again to destroy him, but he was stopped.”

“Miss Oliver, Frederick and I are in love, but he can’t accept my feelings because he owes you a debt of gratitude. He can only stay by your side.”

“But you can’t protect him. If you insist on staying by his side, these photos will be leaked, and all his efforts over the years will be in vain again.”

“But if you let go,” she said softly, “I will protect him and help him rise to the top.”

That night, Gabrielle sat on the balcony and watched the moon all night long.

By dawn, she had finally made her decision.

She knew that Jacqueline was telling the truth—she couldn’t protect Frederick.

She also knew that Frederick didn’t like her.

So leaving him was the best choice.

Letting go was for the best.

From now on, she wouldn't have to stay up late at night by the lone lamp, counting the minutes until he came home;

she wouldn't have to watch him, a genius scholar, ask others how to interact with girls, then swallow the bitterness by herself;

she wouldn't have to hope day after day that the man who would never love her would glance back at her.

A sharp pain in her stomach interrupted her memories.

Gabrielle curled up on the floor, cold sweat soaking her back. The medicine cabinet was on the coffee table, but she didn't even have the strength to reach for it.

The sound of a key turning in the lock echoed. As soon as Frederick entered the room, he saw her lying on the floor, and his expression changed instantly.

He rushed in, picked her up in his arms, and gently placed her on the bed.

“Where’s the medicine?” he asked urgently, rummaging through the drawers. “Where did you put the stomach medicine we bought last time?”

Gabrielle pointed to the drawer, and he immediately fetched water and the medicine, his movements as practiced as if he’d done it countless times.

He held the warm water to her lips, and Gabrielle sipped it slowly, whispering, “Thank you ,sorry for the trouble.”

“It’s not a trouble,” Frederick frowned. “You know you have a stomach illness. Why didn’t you take your medicine on time?”

Back then, in order to support his education, she worked three jobs and often ate only one meal a day, this eventually damaging her stomach.

Every time her stomach hurt, he would hold her close, gently rubbing her stomach until she fell asleep.

But this time, when he reached out to embrace her, she gently pushed him away.

Frederick visibly startled, his brows furrowing slightly.

“Frederick, I…”

Gabrielle was about to speak when his phone suddenly rang.

It was Jacqueline.

“Hello?” He answered the call, his gaze still fixed on Gabrielle. “Watching shooting stars? Now? … Alright.”

After hanging up, he stood up and took his coat. “I have something to attend to. You’d better have a good rest then.”

He turned and left, his tall, straight figure overlapping with the memory of the young boy she had once taken in.

Gabrielle opened her mouth, but the words “I’m going back to my hometown” never made it out.

The door closed softly, but it felt like a heavy hammer striking her heart. Gabrielle sat alone in the darkness until the midnight bell rang.

There was a birthday cake in the fridge.

Frederick never remembered her birthday, but every year on this day, Gabrielle would secretly make a wish.

This year, she made only one wish:

May Frederick find happiness after I’m gone.

In the flickering candlelight, Gabrielle seemed to see that boy again on that rainy day, his eyelashes damp, his eyes shining brightly.

It was the most beautiful shooting star she had ever seen in her life.

Chapter 2

The next day, Gabrielle went to work at the nail salon as usual.

The salon was located near Frederick's school, and she had chosen this location solely to see him more often.

Later, when he had money, he tried to persuade her several times to quit her job and stay home, but she refused.

He was always busy at school, and if she lost this job, she would see him even less.

Today, she had originally planned to resign, but the manager held her hand and said, “Gabrielle, please help me for a few more days. You can leave once we find a new employee.”

Gabrielle looked into her earnest eyes, thinking of all the care she had shown her over the years, then eventually nodded in agreement.

Soon after, she received an order for an in-home service at the women’s dormitory of Northwest M. University.

As she opened the door, she immediately noticed the photo frame on the desk—a picture of Frederick and Jacqueline.

He was wearing a white shirt, his expression as cool as ever, but the slight curve of his lips was a rare sign of relaxation. Jacqueline leaned against his shoulder, her smile as bright as a little sun.

“You think they’re a good match too, right?”A girl followed her gaze and said excitedly, “They're the famous couple at our school! The aloof professor and the lively campus beauty—the whole school is shipping them!"

She lowered her head, opened her manicure toolbox, and asked softly, “Are they... very close?”

“Of course!” Several girls gathered around and chattered about Frederick's special treatment of Jacqueline.

“Professor Grant is usually unapproachable, but he’s especially patient with Jacqueline!”

“Last time Jacqueline fell asleep in the lab, Professor Grant even covered her with his coat!”

“I heard that the pen Jacqueline gave him, he wears it every day!”

Gabrielle listened to their words, her fingers trembling slightly, almost unable to hold the nail file steady.

Frederick had never done any of these things for her.

“They're perfect for each other!” one girl suddenly sighed. “The only problem is that Professor Grant doesn't come from a family of good background, and I heard he has a savior he needs to repay...”

“You mean that woman?” another girl sneered. “I heard she didn't even go to college, doesn't have a proper job, and just does odd jobs all day. She's not worthy of Professor Grant!”

“Exactly! Clinging to him like that, she’s so shameless!”

“We even asked Professor Grant about it, saying maybe he should just give her some money to get rid of her, so she doesn’t ruin his happiness…”

Gabrielle’s heart felt like it was being torn apart, the pain almost suffocating her.

“Why are your hands shaking?” one of the girls suddenly looked at her. “Are you okay?”

She forced a smile. “I’m fine. I just think… you’re right.”

After getting her nails done, she hurriedly left the dormitory. But when she reached the school gate, she suddenly stopped in her tracks.

Frederick and Jacqueline were walking toward her side by side .

Jacqueline had a red scarf around her neck. As she spoke, she suddenly took it off and tiptoed to put it on Frederick.

She held her breath, watching Frederick, who was usually so particular about cleanliness, not refuse it.

“Last night’s meteor shower was beautiful,” Jacqueline said with a smile.

Frederick nodded, “Yes, we can go see it again next time.”

Passing students glanced over, and someone whispered, “They’re together! They’re together!”

They chatted about experiments, research projects, academic conferences… a bunch of things she didn’t understand.

Standing in the corner, she suddenly realized that an insurmountable chasm had already formed between her and Frederick.

When she returned home, Frederick was pouring water in the kitchen.

He opened the refrigerator and saw the uneaten cake inside, pausing for a moment: “Was yesterday your birthday?”

She nodded silently.

“I've been too busy lately and forgot.” He rubbed his temples, “I'll make it up to you with a gift in a couple of days.”

“It's okay.” She said softly, “You're busy with your own things; don't worry about these little matters.”

He looked at her but didn't insist, only asking, “What wish did you make?”

Just as she was about to speak, his phone rang.

It was Jacqueline again.

“Frederick, I twisted my ankle…” Her voice trembled with tears on the other end of the line.

Frederick immediately stood up: “Send me your location, I’ll be right there.”

He hurried out, not even taking the time to look at her again.

She sat at the dining table and finished the remaining cake alone.

The cream had grown cold, sweet yet bitter.

Chapter 3

Those days, Frederick didn't come home.

When Gabrielle scrolled through her social media , she kept seeing Jacqueline's posts.

Frederick accompanied her to the library, Frederick brought her breakfast, Frederick bent down to tie her shoelaces.

In every photo, his expression was softer than when he was with her.

She watched silently, slowly packing her belongings.

Over the years, her possessions had dwindled to almost nothing.

A few changes of clothes, a pair of sneakers she’d worn for years, and an album filled with secretly taken photos of Frederick.

His profile while reading, his back while cooking, his slightly furrowed brows while sleeping.

When Frederick returned, she was packing the last small box.

“Why are you packing?” he asked from the doorway, his voice calm.

“I don’t need them anymore, so just throwing them away.” ” She didn’t look up, afraid he’d see her reddened eyes.

He hummed in acknowledgment, walked in, and poured a glass of water: “It’s good to tidy up. You said this house isn’t comfortable to live in, right? I bought a villa; we can move in a few days.”

He paused, then suddenly said, “I'll take you to see it today.”

Her fingers trembled, but she eventually nodded.

It would be like taking one last look at his new home before leaving.

The villa area had a great environment, with lush green trees and a quiet atmosphere that felt like it was cut off from the outside world.

As soon as they reached the entrance, they ran into Jacqueline.

She was wearing a light yellow dress, her smile bright: “You’re here? Gabrielle, our houses are next to each other, so we’ll be able to see each other every day!”

She enthusiastically led them inside to tour her villa.

But the moment she opened the door, Gabrielle froze.

The off-white sofa, the natural wood dining table, even the green plants on the balcony were identical to what she had just seen in Frederick's villa.

“Frederick and I picked out the furniture together,” Jacqueline said with a smile. “I never thought our tastes would be so similar—it looks like one house!”

She blinked: “A friend even said that if we knocked down the partition wall, the two houses could be combined into one, and it wouldn't feel out of place at all!”

Frederick stood by, smiling rarely: “She studied design and has excellent taste.”

Gabrielle's heart felt like it had been pricked by a needle, aching intensely.

Yes, once she left, they could confirm their relationship.

Indeed, the two apartments could be combined into one.

As they continued browsing, it was nearing lunchtime, and Jacqueline suggested they go out to eat together.

She chose a high-end Western restaurant with a menu entirely in French.

She deliberately handed the menu to Gabrielle first. Gabrielle took it, her fingers trembling slightly.

She didn’t recognize a single word on it.

Frederick seemed to notice her discomfort and took the menu from her: I’ll order.”

Jacqueline rested her chin on her hand and smiled, “Frederick, don’t just order what I like—consider Gabrielle’s favor too.”

Frederick looked at her, “What would you like to eat?”

She lowered her eyes.

He remembered exactly what Jacqueline liked to eat, but after all these years of relying on each other, he didn’t even know what she liked or which dish she preferred.

“Anything is fine,” she said softly.

When the food arrived, she awkwardly held the knife and fork and accidentally knocked over the plate.

The sauce splashed onto the tablecloth, and the people around them gave her disdainful looks.

She panicked and stood up, intending to go to the restroom to clean up, but she heard someone whispering behind her:

“Where did this country bumpkin come from? She's probably never been to a French restaurant before.”

“How embarrassing. Standing next to those handsome men and beautiful women, she looks like an uncivilized person…”

She rushed into the restroom, turned on the faucet, and scrubbed the grease off her hands frantically.

The girl in the mirror had a pale face and reddened eyes, looking like a disheveled clown.

Yes, she and Frederick were no longer in the same world.

Suddenly, a scream came from outside: “Fire!”

Gabrielle’s expression changed, and her first instinct was to rush out to find Frederick.

But when she ran against the crowd back to her seat, it was already empty.

Frederick had already left with Jacqueline.

She was pushed and shoved by the panicked crowd, fell to the ground, and had her hand stepped on hard, causing her vision to go black from the pain.

When she stumbled downstairs, she saw Frederick carrying Jacqueline in his arms, urgently telling the driver, “To the hospital!”

Jacqueline leaned against him and whispered, “Gabrielle is still inside...”

Frederick glanced back at the crowded restaurant: “The restroom is on the first floor; she should have already come out.”

He paused, “Your foot injury is serious. Go to the hospital first.”

The car door closed, and it drove off.

Gabrielle stood there, her wound burning with pain, but it couldn't compare to the pain in her heart.

She went to the hospital alone, had her wound bandaged, and then went home to book a ticket to leave.

After falling into a daze, she dreamed of many past events.

Sixteen-year-old Frederick stood by the river, asking her why she saved him;

Nineteen-year-old Frederick waited stubbornly at the dinner table late at night for her to come home;

Twenty-two-year-old Frederick held her and said, “Gabrielle, I'll make sure you have a good life.”

At twenty-four, Frederick had found a girl he liked and no longer needed her.

In the dream, she laughed and laughed, and tears fell from her eyes.

When she woke up again, Frederick was standing by her bedside, holding her phone.

“Did you buy a ticket?” he stared at her, his voice as cold as ice, “Where are you going?”

Chapter 4

She tunned for a moment and said softly, “It's my grandfather's death anniversary in a few days, so I'm going back to my hometown to pay my respects.”

Frederick nodded, but didn't offer to accompany her.

She knew that the small town was his lifelong nightmare.

It was where his mother had committed suicide, where he had jumped into the river, and where he had once desperately tried to escape from.

He would probably never return there again.

After they parted ways, they probably wouldn't see each other again.

Frederick's gaze fell on the scrape on her arm, and he furrowed his brow. “How did you get hurt?”

She was silent for a few seconds before telling him the truth. “When the restaurant caught fire, I ran back to the second floor and was accidentally pushed down.”

His expression darkened. “Why did you go back to the second floor?”

“I was afraid something would happen to you.”

His gaze froze, and after a long time, he said softly, “You're still the same as you were years ago.”

She knew he was referring to the time she jumped into the river to save him.

She smiled wryly: “I'm not the same anymore.”

Back then, he was alone.

Now, he had Jacqueline and no longer needed her.

In the following days, Frederick began moving his belongings to the new house.

Gabrielle left her luggage behind, saying she wanted to sort through it before moving.

Frederick didn't think much of it and gradually took all his belongings away.

The house soon emptied out, and she sat alone in the living room, listening to the echo of her own breathing in the empty room.

It reminded her of that dilapidated little house from years ago, when it was just her and him relying on each other for survival.

She got up to throw away some old items, but when she returned, someone covered her mouth from behind in the hallway.

Everything went black, and she lost consciousness.

When she woke up, Gabrielle found herself tied to a chair, with a cloth stuffed in her mouth, surrounded by an abandoned warehouse.

A man stood before her, who looked 80% like Frederick, but his eyes were cold and menacing as he looked down at her.

“You’re the one who saved that bastard Frederick back then?” he sneered. “Did you want him to come back and fight me for the inheritance?”

This was Frederick’s half-brother!

She stared at him intently, unable to speak.

He ripped the cloth from her mouth, and she gasped for breath, her voice hoarse. “Frederick is a man. He shares the same blood as you. You have no right to insult him.”

“He never wanted to fight over the inheritance. It was your father who betrayed his mother!” Her voice trembled, but her words were firm. “His mother was deceived too. She wasn’t a mistress, and Frederick isn’t a bastard!”

The man’s expression darkened, and he slapped her hard across the face.

Her vision went black, and she tasted blood in her mouth.

“Still keeping up that hard talk!” He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up. “Call Frederick.”

Gabrielle knew he wanted to use her to take revenge on Frederick, and she clenched her teeth, refusing to comply.

He sneered, snatched her phone, and dialed Frederick's number.

No answer.

He tried again.

Still no answer.

“So all those years of relying on each other haven't meant much after all,” he sneered at her. “He doesn't care about your life or death, yet you still defend him?”

Her chest ached, but she managed to say in a hoarse voice, " Frederick isn't the kind of person you think he is."

The man was enraged. He waved his hand, and the bodyguards behind him stepped forward, punching her in the abdomen.

She curled up in pain, cold sweat soaking her back.

“Listen, every time Frederick doesn't answer the phone, I'll pull out one of your teeth.” He leaned down and slapped her face. “Let's see how badly he can make you suffer.”

When the first tooth was forcibly pulled out, she felt so much pain that her vision went black, and a painful whimper escaped her throat.

Frederick didn't answer.

The second, the third...

Her mouth was filled with blood, and her consciousness began to fade, but there was still no response on the other end of the phone.

It wasn't until the last tooth was pulled out that the call finally connected.

Chapter 5

It was Jacqueline’s voice on the other end: “Hello? Frederick has been working all night on an experiment and just fell asleep. What’s the matter?”

The man looked at her with pity in his eyes: “Did you hear that? The man you’ve been fighting so hard to protect doesn’t care about you because he’s with another woman.”

“How pitiful!”

Jacqueline sensed something was wrong and her voice grew alert: Who are you? What's going on?"

“Don't ask who I am,” the man sneered. “Tell Frederick to come here immediately, or else you'll be burying this woman.”

He hung up the phone and continued to hurl the most vicious insults at Frederick and his mother, dragging her into it as well.

Gabrielle was in so much pain she was almost numb, but she was even more afraid that Frederick might actually come.

What would happen if he came? Would he be beaten to death? Would he be threatened?

She trembled all over, consumed by overwhelming fear.

After an unknown amount of time, the warehouse door opened, and footsteps approached.

Her heart nearly stopped as she looked up.

Only Jacqueline had come.

She whispered a few words to the man, whose expression changed several times before he finally sneered at Gabrielle: You're lucky today."

After he left with his men, Jacqueline hurried over, untied her ropes, and helped her out.

“I'll take you to the hospital,” she said, her voice trembling.

Gabrielle's mouth was filled with blood, and she couldn't speak, so she let Jacqueline help her into the car.

In the hospital, the doctor treated Gabrielle's wounds and fitted her with temporary dentures.

Jacqueline stood by, unable to bear the sight of her.

“Thank you for taking the hit for Frederick,” she whispered. “I’ve reached an agreement with his brother—he won’t bother Frederick anymore.”

Gabrielle asked hoarsely, “What agreement?”

Jacqueline looked at her silently for a moment, then shook her head. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“But all you need to know,” she paused, “is that as long as I'm here, Frederick won't suffer this again.”

Gabrielle looked at her confident and composed demeanor and suddenly realized,

Yes, she didn't understand.

All she needed to understand was that Jacqueline could easily resolve the troubles she had struggled to resolve.

What Frederick needed was always someone like Jacqueline.

She nodded, her voice barely audible: “Never let Frederick know about this.”

In the days that followed, Gabrielle recovered from her injuries while revisiting the city.

The small restaurant where they had their first taco had closed down, replaced by a high-end Western restaurant;

the alley behind the school had been renovated, and the eaves where they had huddled together to avoid the rain were no longer there;

even the old locust tree by the river had been cut down, and now there was an observation deck there, lit up with beautiful neon lights at night.

Gabrielle stood by the river, looking at the dazzling lights across the water, and suddenly realized that she had never truly belonged in this city.

But Frederick had already put down roots here, growing into someone Gabrielle could only look up to.

Her phone suddenly vibrated—it was Frederick calling.

“Where are you?” His voice was still as cool as ever.

Gabrielle sent him her location, and within twenty minutes, he appeared by the river.

“Why are you here alone?” He stood beside Gabrielle, his gaze fixed on the distant river.

“I was thinking about some things from the past,” Gabrielle said softly. “Do you remember what happened when we first came to this city?”

He remained silent for a moment, then spoke in a faint voice, “Don’t dwell on the past. People should look forward.”

Gabrielle paused, then turned to look at him. “You… don’t miss it at all?”

“I don’t miss it.” His tone was calm, even tinged with a hint of coldness. “I even despise it.”

Gabrielle’s heart trembled violently, and she wanted to ask him: Does your disgust also include the years we spent together, relying on each other for survival?

But the words stopped at her lips.

“You’re right,” Gabrielle forced a smile. “We all have to move forward.”

Each should pursue their own path.