Chapter 1: An Unexpected Breakup

"Lu Yao, let's break up."

"There's ten million in this card. Take it as compensation for being my secret lover for three years. From now on, let's not see each other again."

After a night of passion, the man didn’t reach for a cigarette as usual, but instead placed a bank card into her delicate, fair hand.

Lu Yao was stunned. The flush on her cheeks had yet to fade, and her pale fingers instinctively tightened around the card.

He was breaking up with her?

For the past month, he had completely changed, clinging to her every day and night, unable to get enough. He’d called her an enchanting little siren, claiming she was his addiction.

For the first time in three years, she’d felt the fluttering thrill of young love.

Could it be he’d uncovered her real reason for getting close to him?

Why else would he choose their third anniversary to end things so abruptly?

Besides, he was only an attending physician at a top hospital—how could he possibly have ten million in savings? She prayed he hadn’t done anything illegal just to get rid of her.

Worried, Lu Yao sat up.

Her slender, pale arm reached past Ye Zehong to retrieve her phone from the bedside table. After a few quick taps, another device chimed with a message.

Ye Zehong picked up his phone.

Two million transferred? And the sender—Lu Yao?

His brows drew together, a storm gathering in his eyes as he turned the screen toward her. "Where did all this money come from?"

"Does it matter?" Lu Yao forced a bitter smile, stood up, and with trembling fingers, gathered her scattered dress from the floor. Her throat tightened as she spoke. "I was wrong to approach you three years ago, just to repay you for saving his life. I shouldn't have lingered, indulging in your embrace. I started this, so I should end it. I’ll provide the compensation. If we’re breaking up, let’s do it with dignity. I repay my debt, you take the money, and we owe each other nothing."

"Repay a debt? Whose?" Ye Zehong’s eyes turned cold, his gaze sharp with anger, disbelief—and a dull ache somewhere deep inside.

Lu Yao froze, her lips trembling.

Their intimate relationship had lasted three years, beginning with a meticulously planned encounter. In that time, her heart had slipped quietly into his hands, but now he was the one choosing to let go.

But now, the reason no longer mattered.

What mattered was that he wanted to end it, and she ought to leave gracefully.

When it’s over, there should be no lingering.

Lu Yao forced a smile, her eyes instantly brimming with tears, but she said nothing.

Just as she lifted her foot to leave, Ye Zehong suddenly pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly, as if in farewell.

Abruptly, he let her go and stepped back.

Lu Yao looked up at him, catching a fleeting glimmer of reluctance in his eyes. She blinked, telling herself she’d imagined it.

How could someone who asked for a breakup feel unwilling to let go?

She dared not indulge in wishful thinking, nor did she wish to become the pitiful woman who clings after a breakup.

Grace—grace was all she had left.

She gazed at him one last time, then walked out without looking back.

Ye Zehong stared at the empty doorway as if grasping for something lost, then strode to the window. Through the glass, he watched her cross the courtyard and step out the gate, her small figure unwavering as she left, and his heart hollowed out, as though a priceless treasure had been ripped away.

A sudden thunderclap boomed and rain poured down in torrents.

She was instantly drenched.

His body moved to chase after her, but his foot faltered and fell back down.

His fingers curled into a fist, the light in his eyes dimming until, with a furious roar, he hurled his car keys at the dressing mirror. The glass cracked instantly.

Ten years he had waited. Now the time was finally right—he couldn’t let an innocent person be caught up in the coming storm.

Especially her!