Chapter 1

For five years, Ethan Stone spoiled me, making me the envy of every woman in the city.

He remembered I didn't eat spicy food, that I hated noise, and that I preferred simple, understated white dresses.

He even had white noise machines ready in advance, knowing I'd have trouble sleeping on rainy nights.

Everyone said he was madly in love with me.

Until that night, when I saw a list titled "My Dearest" in his notes app.

That's when I realized I didn't actually dislike spicy food, and I was never afraid of noise.

Every single item on that list, which he had memorized by heart, was about his first love.

For five years, he had merely been meticulously carving me into another woman's image.

Now, the dream was over.

Mr. Stone, I'm not going to be your stand-in anymore.

The auction house glittered with dazzling lights.

My eyes were glued to the ruby necklace on stage.

It was the main item of the night, and something I'd coveted for a long time.

"Fifty million."

Ethan Stone, next to me, raised his paddle, his voice deep and cool.

My heart fluttered. I turned to him. "Ethan, are you really buying it for me?"

Ethan didn't even spare me a glance.

He stood up and, from the hostess, accepted not the ruby necklace, but a diamond bracelet.

I froze.

He had just bought that bracelet for sixty million.

Ethan casually handed the ornate box containing the diamond bracelet to his assistant behind him.

"Deliver this to the Willow Creek Estate immediately."

"She's a light sleeper. Don't ring the doorbell. Just give it to the butler."

The assistant nodded respectfully, then quickly left.

I watched the assistant's retreating back, my heart sinking little by little.

The Willow Creek Estate.

That was where Sophia Grey had been staying since she returned to the country.

Ethan finally turned to me, giving me a look.

He looked at my plain white evening gown, completely unadorned, and his brows slightly relaxed.

"That ruby is too flashy. It doesn't suit you."

"Don't you always prefer simple and elegant things?"

His tone was matter-of-fact, as if stating an undeniable truth.

I opened my mouth, but my throat felt like it was stuffed with cotton.

I didn't like simple things.

I loved bold reds, vibrant passion, and anything that sparkled.

But five years ago, the first time I stood before him in a red dress, he frowned and said, "Too garish. Change it."

After that, my closet only held black, white, and grey.

My jewelry box only contained pearls and thin, plain bands.

I thought that was the way he liked me.

On the drive home, the silence in the car was suffocating.

Ethan leaned back, closing his eyes to rest.

Suddenly, his phone automatically connected to the car's Bluetooth.

An obnoxious calendar reminder popped up on the screen.

"Thunderstorm tonight. Remember to remind her to drink hot milk and turn on white noise."

My breath hitched.

I turned to look out the window, and sure enough, a fine rain had begun to fall.

But I was never afraid of thunder.

I slept deeper than anyone during rainstorms. I didn't need white noise at all.

Ethan suddenly opened his eyes, quickly dismissing the reminder on the screen.

He offered no explanation, merely stating, "Just a work reminder."

I looked at his perfect profile, and suddenly felt incredibly estranged.

Was it really just work?