Chapter 2

Leaving Su Corp.

I sat on the curb, clutching Mom's urn.

Mom had asked for her ashes to be placed in the simplest, most unadorned container, just to save every last penny for Scarlett's debts.

Suddenly, Scarlett's face appeared on the giant screen in the plaza.

The news anchor reported:

"Just moments ago, Scarlett, the CEO of Su Corp, who had mysteriously disappeared for three years, attended a gala with her fiancé, Brandon."

I stared at the screen, at Scarlett, radiant with confidence.

Tears streamed down my face.

So all those years Mom and I poured our hearts and souls into working, just to pay off her debts...

It was all just a lie.

I sat there for what felt like ages, until Scarlett called that evening.

Her voice was just as soft and gentle as always:

"It's so late. Why aren't you home yet? Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

I instinctively opened my mouth, but no words came out. Just silence.

Before, I would've probably been a little annoyed,

complaining that she was interrupting my work again.

But now, that intimate tone... I couldn't bear it.

Scarlett's voice held a hint of urgency:

"Kolt, where are you right now?"

"Working."

Scarlett froze, as if just remembering that I'd been working tirelessly until late every night, all to pay off her debts.

She'd promised to marry me once the debts were cleared.

And to settle down, build a real life with me.

Just as Mom had hoped.

Today, she was supposed to reveal her true identity to me.

"I... I have something to tell you. I'm actually the heir to Su Corp."

"I... I'm coming to pick you up right now..."

I hung up, hailed a cab, and left.

I had no expectations left for Scarlett.

When I finally snapped back to reality, my own tears were reflected in the car window.

On my phone, Scarlett's messages popped up, one after another.

I didn't look. I didn't want to.

Today was supposed to be the start of our new life together.

But her lies had turned my mother's suicide into a cruel joke.

Five years of struggle, all for a ridiculous truth.

Scarlett, I'm not marrying you.