Chapter 1

That year, the one where we were practically broke, I followed Alexander to Germany for his studies.

He casually mentioned Christmas was coming.

I washed dishes at a local diner for half a month, then spent twenty euros on a small Christmas tree.

He glanced at it and called it pathetic, practically trash.

That very evening, Alexander maxed out all my credit cards to get Vivian a whole farm of German firs.

The next day, they returned home together. Their high-profile union became the talk of the town.

Meanwhile, I was penniless, evicted by my landlord, and nearly froze to death in the heavy Munich snow.

Six years later, we met again. Alexander stood at the entrance of my temporary apartment, lugging a luxurious Christmas tree, his eyes red as he wished me a Merry Christmas.

I firmly stated, "Mr. Alexander, I absolutely despise Christmas."

Chloe's POV

Alexander clearly froze at my words, a flicker of bewilderment crossing his usually playful eyes.

He probably hadn't expected such a blunt rejection.

After all, when I was sixteen, I'd been so thrilled by a ring he’d woven from grass that I couldn't sleep for three days.

"Chloe," he said, setting down the priceless Christmas tree. His voice was laced with a hint of caution, completely lacking the demanding, high-status CEO image he usually projected in the media. "Don't be mad. I know you're blaming me."

"Back then, I truly had no choice. If I didn't play along, we'd both starve."

He tried to reach for my hand.

"I'm free now. My grandpa handed the Alexander family over to me."

"I've taken care of Vivian too."

"Chloe, look, I still remember you once saying you wanted a Christmas tree covered in crystals."

The tree he brought was adorned with all sorts of expensive crystals, shimmering beautifully in the sunlight. It was stunning.

"You suffered so much with me back then. I can make it all up to you now."

"Chloe, let's start over, okay?"

But my heart felt strangely calm.

If it had been the Alexander from six years ago standing here, saying these things, I probably would have joyfully leaped into his arms, screaming and kissing his face.

Now, though, as I looked at the opulent Christmas tree, I only felt a sense of absurdity and a bitter laugh welling up inside.

What was the point?

Could it take me back six years, so I wouldn't have to rummage through restaurant dumpsters for food on freezing nights?

Could it prevent my landlord from throwing my luggage onto the street because I couldn't pay rent?

"Mr. Alexander," I said, taking a step back, avoiding his touch. My voice was soft. "I'm doing perfectly fine now."

"Fine?"

Alexander frowned as if he'd heard a joke.

"Living in this hundred-square-meter apartment is 'doing fine'? Chloe, stop being childish. Come back with me to..."

"Mommy."

A timid voice interrupted Alexander mid-sentence.

A tiny head peeked through the crack in the door.

Lily, in her pink bunny pajamas, clutched a worn-out teddy bear, her eyes wide with fright.

She had a tendency to be very shy, fearful of strangers and loud noises, and only truly comfortable with me.

Seeing me confronting a strange man at the door, she was clearly terrified, but still bravely ran out to find me.

The little one clung tightly to my leg, trembling all over, but wouldn't let go.

Alexander's voice died in his throat.

He looked down, his gaze falling on Lily.

The little girl, around five or six years old, had fair skin and dark, shiny eyes like grapes.

They were red-rimmed from fear, and her pressed lips showed a stubbornness that was heartbreaking.

The soft, warm glow of the apartment lights fell on Lily's face.

Anyone could see the striking resemblance between the child’s features and my younger self, and that defiant expression was so much like his from back then.

Before he left Germany six years ago, despite our many conflicts, we hadn't slept in separate rooms.

Alexander's hand trembled as he pointed at Lily in disbelief, his voice hoarse. "Chloe... this child... who is she?"

Just as I was about to pick Lily up, Alexander suddenly crouched down, staring intently at Lily's face, his eyes instantly turning alarmingly red.

"She's my child... isn't she?" He stammered, the wild joy of rediscovery almost overwhelming his reason. "Back then... back then you were already pregnant? Why didn't you tell me? Chloe, how *dare* you wander around all these years with *my* child!"

I ignored Alexander's accusations, quickly trying to soothe Lily, who was trembling with fear.

"Lily... you named her Lily..."

Alexander's wild joy intensified.

"I knew it! Chloe, you still care about me! I used to fantasize about it, and even told you, if we ever had a daughter, we'd name her Lily! You remembered!"

By the end, his voice was choked with tears.