Chapter 2

I'm Hazel, Lucas's first love, his ideal love, the person he cherished for many years.

And Natalie? She's his ex-girlfriend.

Complicated, isn't it?

When I first found out, I was quite shocked too.

Later, I learned that when I wasn't around, Natalie had been there for him, accompanying him through those sad and difficult times.

She shielded him from the wind and rain, cared for him, and never backed down even when faced with his cold sarcasm.

She stubbornly stayed by his side.

When I heard this, I was quite moved. I almost teared up.

If only it wasn't about my boyfriend.

When I found out Lucas had a new girlfriend, I was genuinely stunned.

How could the boy who had sworn and promised to wait for me when I left have someone else by his side?

Later, Lucas explained to me that he had missed me so much that he drank to numb the pain, even drinking until he had a stomach ulcer.

It was Natalie who took care of him tirelessly, working herself to exhaustion without complaint.

Until she fainted in front of him, he finally felt sympathy.

He agreed to her request.

"Hazel, I didn't change my heart. I just felt sorry for her, so... We agreed that when you came back, she would leave."

Lucas held my hand, his eyes red, begging desperately, "I didn't betray you. It's just that the days without you were really hard to bear."

"When I was sick in the hospital, I wished so much that it was you by my side."

Hearing these words, my heart was immediately filled with guilt.

Seeing the caution in his eyes as he looked at me, I finally couldn't bear it.

This was the boy I had loved since I was young. During my six years abroad, I thought about him constantly.

To be able to return and be with him sooner, I put in so much effort.

This relationship had lasted for over a decade. Even if his heart had strayed momentarily, I should forgive him.

Yes, I should forgive him.

At least when I came back, he had ended things cleanly with Natalie.

He only had me in his heart.

That's what I always believed.

But reality seemed to always go against me, pouring cold water on me when I was full of joy.