Chapter 2

Looking at the non-disclosure agreement in my hand, I signed my name without a moment's hesitation.

"Professor Davies, I'm ready to join the Rocket Development Project."

He looked at me with a hint of regret. "Julian, you need to understand, this project is highly classified. Once you're in, you'll need to go off-grid for at least ten years, cutting off all contact with the outside world."

"Aren't you getting married soon? You should at least discuss this with your fiancée."

Remembering Valerie's cold and resolute face, I shook my head with a bitter smile. "There's no need."

Professor Davies was silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Alright. Get ready. We leave in seven days."

When I left Professor Davies' office, it was raining. I didn't bother with an umbrella, walking all the way back to that cold apartment, drenched.

As expected, Valerie still wasn't home.

Brandon had taken Lucky, the puppy I'd raised since it was tiny, and when I confronted him, Valerie had snapped at me. I hadn't seen her for three days since then.

I pulled the ring off my finger and tossed it carelessly into the back of a drawer.

It was "forever," Valerie's own design, symbolizing a lifetime of commitment, a promise of "till death do us part."

I had once been naive enough to believe we would grow old together.

But ever since Brandon came back to the country, everything changed.

Valerie stopped remembering my birthday, stopped caring about my feelings. I became nothing more than a disposable shadow in this house.

I was about to take off my soaked shirt when the doorbell rang.

I opened the door to find Brandon standing outside, a look of disdain and arrogance on his face. He casually nudged something on the ground with his foot.

"Your dog. Unfortunately, it got hit by a car."

I stared in disbelief at his feet—Lucky's tiny body was curled up there, his fur matted with mud and blood.

My heart twisted, and my eyes instantly burned.

Seeing my reaction, Brandon's lips curled into a barely perceptible smirk. "It's just a dog. Why are you crying like someone in your family died?"

I couldn't hold back anymore. I shot up and grabbed his collar. "You did this, didn't you?!"

Just then, Valerie rushed over, drawn by the noise. Her brows furrowed as she saw the scene.

Brandon smoothly brushed my hand away and sighed at Valerie. "I understand he's upset about his pet. But he seems to think this is my fault."

Valerie immediately glared at me, her eyes filled with displeasure. "Brandon was being kind, bringing Lucky back! Julian, you're out of control."

I pointed at Lucky, my voice trembling. "Kind? Look at him!"

Valerie's gaze swept over the tiny body on the ground. A flicker of pity crossed her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by irritation. "It was just an accident! Julian, can't you be more mature? We're sad about it, but life goes on. Grandma's trust fund for you is more than enough to handle this."

"A 'dog'?" I stared at her, barely able to breathe. She knew what Lucky meant to me – he was the last gift my mother gave me before she died.

She had once stood by my mother's hospital bed, solemnly promising to take care of Lucky and me.

Now, to defend Brandon, she casually dismissed him as "just a dog."

Valerie's heart had clearly strayed beyond return. I was tired, too tired to argue anymore.

Thinking of my impending departure, a sense of relief washed over me.

Valerie ignored me, turning to Brandon, her tone softening. "It's pouring outside. Let me walk you out."

Brandon nodded. As he turned to follow Valerie, he glanced back at me, a provocative glint in his eyes.

Watching them walk away side-by-side, I smiled bitterly.

It turned out the Valerie who had fallen for me at first sight, who had pursued me so passionately, had never truly loved me.

I was just a comfort during her loneliness, and Brandon, he was her heart's true desire.

Now, her true love was back.

It was time for me, the placeholder, to make my exit.

But none of that mattered anymore. I locked the ring and the unsigned pre-nuptial agreement in the drawer.

Valerie would never know that the agreement her grandmother had forced her to sign, stipulating that half her assets be transferred to me, I had never even taken to a lawyer for notarization, nor had I signed my name.