I found out my boyfriend, Edward Ferguson, had just married another woman While we were making love.

"I can't believe you actually married the woman who dumped you back then. What about Esme? She's been so good to you. She loves you!" his friend shouted.

"I'll stage a fake marriage with her later. She'll never find out." Edward's voice was cold and impatient. "You guys just need to keep my marriage to Eliza quiet, don’t let Esme know it."

I swallowed back my tears. When Edward turned to look at me, I pretended I hadn't understood his Italian and forced a smile.

After he left, I took out my phone and dialed a number.

"Mrs. Ferguson, I'll accept the eight million dollars and leave Edward forever."

***

Inside the Maybach, Edward kissed Esmeralda Wallace until she was breathless.

Her clothes were stripped away, while Edward remained perfectly composed in his suit. The stark contrast between them made her cheeks flush with embarrassment.

He pulled her close, chuckling softly by her ear. "The partition's up. The driver can't hear, and he wouldn't dare listen. What are you so shy about, hmm?"

The elegant man who had always been calm and distant was now rough and unrestrained. Esmeralda wrapped her arms around him, her eyes brimming with love. Just as the wave of pleasure was about to peak, a sudden ringtone shattered the moment.

Annoyed by the interruption, Edward frowned, but when he saw the caller ID, he still picked up.

Gasping for breath, Esmeralda glanced at the name. It was his closest friend, Owen Vazquez.

"Eddie, have you lost your mind—"

Edward's brows furrowed slightly. In flawless Italian, he cut Owen off mid-sentence. "This isn't the right time. Speak in Italian."

There was a pause, then Owen's voice came through in Italian, tense and disbelieving. "You really married Elizabeth? What the hell are you thinking? She dumped you when you went blind trying to save her. She left you for another man and nearly drove you to ruin! And now you're taking her back?"

The words were foreign, but Esmeralda understood every one of them.

When she finally grasped their meaning, a chill swept through her as if she had been plunged into ice.

Edward, oblivious to her reaction, replied flatly, "If I don't marry her, her family will force her to wed an old man. I can't let that happen."

"What about Esmeralda? Back when you lost your sight, she was the only one who stayed by your side. She's loved you for years. She practically gave you her heart. All of us have seen it!"

Hearing the barely restrained anger in his voice, Edward remained composed. "I'll handle it. She'll never find out."

"How long are you going to hide it from her? Forever? She's been waiting for you to marry her!"

The more he listened, the more irritated Edward became; his voice quickened. "Keep my marriage to Eliza quiet. Don't breathe a word. I'll stage a fake marriage with Esme later."

After hanging up, he didn't bother listening to another word from Owen.

He dropped the phone, pushed it aside, and turned his full attention back to Esmeralda beneath him.

She trembled in his arms. Even after they were done and redressed, she couldn't stop shaking. Just as she was about to speak, his phone chimed again.

It was a message notification from a special contact.

He glanced at the screen, then called to the driver.

"Esme, something urgent came up at work. I'll drop you off here. Take a cab home, okay?"

She didn't say a word. She simply nodded in silence and opened the car door.

The black Maybach shot off down the road, leaving her alone on the curb.

Esmeralda's tears finally spilled over as she watched the traffic blur past.

No one knew that to get closer to Edward, Esmeralda had secretly learned Italian long ago.

So she understood every word he and Owen had exchanged.

Each sentence still echoed in her mind like a thousand sharp blades, piercing deep into her heart.

And with that shattering realization, the memories she had buried for years came flooding back.

Edward was the heir born into privilege, while she was only the daughter of a maid.

That year, she followed her mother into the Ferguson family's grand manor and saw him for the first time. He sat under a shaft of sunlight, playing the piano with effortless grace.

She had never heard such beautiful music, nor seen anyone so breathtakingly perfect.

From that single moment, the name Edward was carved deep into her heart.

She never told anyone about the boy she secretly loved.

It wasn't just because of the vast gulf between their worlds, but because she knew Edward already had someone he liked.

His childhood sweetheart's name was Elizabeth Burton.

He cherished her and protected her like a precious jewel.

At 17, he lost his sight in a car accident while saving her.

But after that, Elizabeth vanished from his life completely. She never visited the Ferguson's manor, never called, and soon appeared on someone else's arm.

The Fergusons had other kids, and his parents, always tied up with work, had little time to look after their now-blind son.

So Edward was sent to live alone in the Ferguson's villa.

And it was Esmeralda who volunteered to go there and care for him for seven long years.

When she was 23, she knelt outside a renowned doctor's home for three days and three nights before finally convincing him to come out of retirement and cure Edward's blindness.

The fallen star regained his brilliance.

Within a year, he reclaimed his position as the heir to the Ferguson Group.

Through winter and summer, it was she who stayed by his side. It was she who kept vigil from dusk till dawn. It was she who endured those seven bitter years with him.

She was the one who kissed him, who held him, who shared his bed.

But she never imagined that the first thing he would do after regaining power was to marry the very woman who had once abandoned him—Elizabeth.

For years, she had worked relentlessly to keep up with his pace, to be worthy of standing beside him.

But no matter how much she changed, his parents never accepted her. They kept thinking she wasn't good enough for their son and even tried to pay her to leave.

Every time, Edward fought with his family for her sake. And because of that, she never thought of leaving him.

But it wasn't until today.

Today, Esmeralda no longer wanted to stay by his side.

She wiped her tears away, pulled out her phone, and dialed a number.

"Mrs. Ferguson, I'll accept the eight million dollars and leave Edward forever."

On the other end of the line, Georgia Ferguson's voice trembled with excitement.

"You finally came to your senses? Good. A maid's daughter like you was never worthy of my son—the heir to the Ferguson family. Where are you now? Come over right away. We'll sign the contract."

Staring at the address Georgia sent moments later, Esmeralda gave a bitter, mocking smile and hailed a cab.

At the café, Georgia questioned her about everything.

Esmeralda answered each question calmly, and when she was done, Georgia's expression turned satisfied. She took out a document and slid it across the table.

"It's all in writing. Once you sign, I'll transfer half of the money to your account immediately. The remaining half will be sent the day you leave. You must promise that once you take the money, you'll never show your face in front of Eddie again. Ever. Do you understand?"

Esmeralda's eyelashes trembled as she looked at the astronomical compensation figure.

She would never show up again.

In this life or the next, she never wanted to see Edward again.

Without hesitation, she picked up the pen and signed her name cleanly and decisively.

Georgia finally relaxed, putting the contract away as she stood up. Before leaving, she gave one last reminder.

"I'm giving you two weeks. I don't care if you can change your identity or move abroad. Just make sure Eddie never sees you again."

"I understand, Mrs. Ferguson. You have my word."

After watching Georgia leave, Esmeralda went home.

Ensuring Edward would never see her again was simple.

The Ferguson family had a long military and political lineage—none of their descendants were allowed to emigrate.

All she had to do was move overseas, and Edward would never be able to reach her.

She spent most of the night researching immigration options and finally decided on Australia.

After making up her mind, she picked up her phone to check the time, only to notice a new post notification on her social feed.

When she opened the post, it was a nine-photo collage from Elizabeth.

The top row showed her holding a bouquet of roses, the middle displayed three marriage certificates, and the bottom showed intertwined hands with matching rings.

Esmeralda knew that since Edward wanted to keep his marriage a secret, he would never have allowed Elizabeth to post it.

But she still did, and she had even set the audience to "visible only to Esmeralda." A deliberate show of triumph.

Esmeralda smiled faintly and gave it a like.

The moment she exited the app, a message from Edward appeared.

"Esme, I'm going on a business trip. I won't be home for the next few days."

She replied with a simple "Okay," put down her phone, and went to wash up.

The next morning, she got up early to start her immigration paperwork.

Since she was in a hurry, she applied for the expedited process.

The clerk assured her it would be completed within two weeks, and only then did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Once she got in the car, she scrolled through Elizabeth's social feed again.

This time, half of Edward's figure appeared in the photo.

The two of them were holding hands, touring a new house, and in the end, they had settled on a villa in South Bay Estates.

Just like yesterday, Esmeralda hit the like button.

On the third day, she went to her company and handed in her resignation.

After packing up her things and returning home, she saw yet another update—Elizabeth in a wedding gown, the diamond on her ring finger sparkling brilliantly.

As always, Esmeralda gave it a like, then buried herself under the covers.

The fourth day came, and when she woke up, her feed had another update.

This time, the photo was of the framed wedding portrait hanging in the couple's new home.

Esmeralda stared at it for a long while before snapping out of it.

She liked the post again, then put on makeup and went out to have a farewell dinner with a few close friends.

That evening, she returned home carrying several boxes and began throwing away everything connected to Edward.

All the gifts he had given her, their matching toothbrushes and cups, the photos they had taken together—every trace of him went into the trash.

By the time she finished, it was past midnight.

She was about to turn off the lights when Edward suddenly came home.

He froze at the sight of the half-empty apartment, his brow furrowing.

"Why does it look like half the stuff in here is gone?"

"I didn't like them anymore, so I threw them out. We can always buy new ones later."

Edward nodded, tossing his jacket onto the couch, but his gaze landed on the boxes stacked nearby.

"You quit your job?"

He paused, then noticed the Social Security card sitting on the coffee table.

"Why did you take that out?"

"I've been tired lately and need a break, so I resigned. The card is for some paperwork I need to handle."

She answered calmly, packing her things as she spoke.

Seeing how composed she was, Edward didn't suspect anything. Pulling her into his arms, he spoke softly. "I've been swamped these past few days and haven't had time for you. Your birthday's coming up in a few days. How about I take you to the auction house tomorrow and let you pick something you like?"

Esmeralda didn't refuse.

The next day, as soon as they took their seats in the grand hall, she spotted Elizabeth.

Elizabeth sauntered up confidently and sat down right beside Edward.

All night, Edward kept his attention solely on Esmeralda, never sparing a glance to the side.

When the auction ended, he didn't linger. He simply took her hand and led her downstairs.

Before heading home, Esmeralda stopped at the restroom.

When she came out, she saw Elizabeth cornered on the staircase by a group of arrogant young men. Their mocking laughter echoed through the hall.

"Well, well, isn't this Ms. Burton? The one who dumped Edward after he lost his sight. Looks like retribution finally caught up with you, huh?"

"I heard your father's marrying you off to some dying old man. You're still decent-looking, though. How about you come with us instead? We'd take good care of—"

The rest of his words were cut short.

Edward appeared at the top of the stairs, his expression dark as thunder. Without hesitation, he kicked the men aside with ruthless force.

Then Edward grabbed the man who had been leading the group, pinned him to the ground, and punched him over and over, mercilessly. Blood splattered; the men cried out, begging for mercy.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Ferguson! Please forgive us and let us go!"

"Get lost! If I ever see you near her again, you'll deal with me personally!"

His furious roar sent the men scrambling away.

A crowd had gathered on the staircase, watching the scene unfold.

Edward ignored the stares and helped Elizabeth to her feet. "Are you hurt?"

She fell into his arms, tears streaming down her face. "My ankle hurts a lot."

His expression darkened. Without hesitation, he scooped her up and pushed through the crowd, holding her close.

In the process of shielding her, his arm brushed hard against Esmeralda, knocking her backward.

Her head struck the sharp edge of a marble step with a sickening thud. Blood began to pour from the wound, making the onlookers gasp.

"She's bleeding! Someone call an ambulance!"

The pain was excruciating. Esmeralda's face twisted as cold sweat covered her skin.

Warm blood seeped between her fingers, dripping onto her eyelashes.

Through the haze, she saw Edward's back as he walked away without even turning around.

Once upon a time, when she had cut her finger while making soup for him, he had fussed for half a day. He insisted on calling a doctor as he was terrified it would scar.

She had teased him for overreacting, and he had lowered his head, kissed her hand, and said softly, "Esme, you're the person I hold closest to my heart. When you get hurt, it hurts me more. Things are getting better now. You don't need to do all this yourself anymore. You will still have to wear the ring I'm going to give you. It wouldn't look right with a scar."

Now she was bleeding in front of him, and he didn't even glance her way.

And that ring he had once promised her? It now glittered on another woman's hand.

The ambulance took Esmeralda to the hospital.

She registered herself, saw the doctor, picked up her medication, and went home alone. It was long past midnight when she was done.

That night, the pain kept her awake. She tossed and turned until dawn.

Edward never came home.

The next morning, she dragged her aching body out of bed to change her dressing and saw a new post from Elizabeth.

It was a video of Edward kneeling on one knee, gently massaging her ankle, and applying medicine.

Esmeralda watched it over and over, her eyes reddening before she eventually drifted into a restless sleep.

When she woke, the sky outside was already dark.

Her phone buzzed nonstop beside the pillow. She answered, and Edward's voice came through.

"Come to private room 703 at The Pavilion now."

Esmeralda hesitated for a moment before getting out of bed.

After washing up, she quickly headed out.

When she pushed open the door, the first person she saw was Elizabeth.

Her eyes were red, her expression pitiful as if she were a fragile little rabbit.

Edward sat across from her, his face unreadable, the air around him heavy with tension.

Silence hung thick in the room until Esmeralda finally spoke.

"Why did you ask me to come here?"

Edward straightened in his seat, clasping his hands together with the poise of someone used to being in control.

"Esme, did you send those men from last night to harass her?"

Esmeralda froze.

Her eyes flicked to Elizabeth, catching the faint glimmer of satisfaction flashing in them.

In that instant, she understood everything. This was all Elizabeth's doing.

She gave a weary, ironic smile. "No. I don't know those people, and I wouldn't waste my time doing something like that."

Her calm explanation didn't change the darkness on Edward's face.

He lowered his gaze, his voice even but cold. "Esme, when Elizabeth left me years ago, I let her go completely. You've been with me for seven years. You should know who's in my heart now. The Burton family has fallen on hard times, and everyone's eager to kick them while they are down. But you shouldn't be one of them. You don't need to make things harder for her because of me."

His words hit her like a blade twisting deep inside.

Memories of him breaking down in the middle of the night, chasing after doctors, fighting for his sight, and the hopeless diagnosis that he would never see again flooded her mind.

The man, who was born with every advantage, had lost his sight completely for the sake of one girl.

Seven years of devotion, gone with a few indifferent words, as if they'd meant nothing.

She thought of the marriage certificate stamped with both his and Elizabeth's names. Her eyes burned with tears. "You're right. We've been together seven years, and I'm only now realizing who you truly have in your heart."

Edward frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

Esmeralda shook her head with a bitter smile. "I mean, I'm just a maid's daughter. Do you really think I'd have the money or the connections to hire people like that to humiliate an heiress?"

Even with her words laid bare, he still didn't believe her.

She was too tired to explain any further.

She took a deep breath and asked softly, "If you don't believe me, just tell me what you want me to do."

Edward rubbed his temple. "Apologize. Esme, when you've done something wrong, you should say you're sorry."

At that moment, Elizabeth, who had been sitting meekly to the side, finally spoke up in a soft, trembling voice.

"No need to apologize. If you truly feel sorry, drink these."

The table was lined with glasses of amber-colored whiskey.

Esmeralda's gaze lifted to Edward, searching his face for a clear answer.

But the lighting was dim, and his expression was unreadable in the shadows.

The silence was suffocating; every breath felt like it was draining the air from her lungs.

Her breathing quickened, and a flood of memories surged through her mind.

When she first moved into the Ferguson's villa, Edward, who was blind and bitter, had drowned himself in alcohol every night.

Worried about his health, she had tried to stop him, again and again, but he never listened.

One night, drunk beyond reason, he had sneered at her and pushed several bottles toward her.

"Even a maid's daughter dares to lecture me now? I really have fallen low. Fine. If you drink these, I'll do as you say."

She had wanted to tell him that she wasn't trying to control him and that she was just worried.

But instead, despite being allergic to alcohol, she had picked up the bottle and drank without hesitation.

Minutes later, she was rushed to the hospital.

When she woke, he was sitting by her bed, his face dark and cold. "I'm the one who was drunk, not you. You knew you were allergic, so why would you risk your life like that?"

She had only whispered, "Because I care about you, Mr. Ferguson. Your eyes will heal someday. And even if they don't, I'll still stay with you. So please, don't give up."

From that day on, Edward quit drinking.

For years after, there wasn't a single bottle of alcohol in the house.

Thinking of that now, Esmeralda smiled faintly, though her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Without explaining herself, she reached for the small packet of chili powder beside her and emptied it into one of the glasses. Her tone was steady, final.

"These few glasses hardly prove anything, do they? I'll take this as punishment. Will that be enough for you?"

Before anyone could react, she lifted a glass and drank it down, one after another.

The burning bitterness spread from her tongue down her throat, searing its way through her chest, stomach, and heart—everywhere he'd once lived inside her.

By the seventh glass, Edward finally lost his composure.

"That's enough!"

Esmeralda looked at the untouched glasses left on the table and let out a hollow laugh.

"Enough? So that means I've apologized properly? Have I pleased the woman you love now?"

At that, Edward stood up abruptly and grabbed her wrist.

His usually emotionless face was dark with fury.

"You know that's not what I meant! Esme, I told you that there's nothing between me and Elizabeth anymore. My family doesn't want you marrying into the Ferguson family, and if you keep acting like this, they'll use it against you. I just don't want you to get hurt or be talked about!"

His words sounded righteous, even protective.

But to Esmeralda, they were nothing but excuses.

If the Ferguson family couldn't accept a maid's daughter like her, how could they possibly accept Elizabeth—the woman who had abandoned him?

And yet, despite everything, he had still married her.

Because when it came to love, he had always chosen her.

Esmeralda no longer wanted to argue. She yanked her hand free and turned toward the door.

But before she could take two steps, her body swayed, and everything went black.

"Esme!"

Edward's heart stopped. He lunged forward, catching her before she hit the ground.

As he lifted her into his arms, Elizabeth's trembling voice rose behind him. "Eddie, I feel dizzy..."

He froze for a second—but only a second.

Then he strode out without looking back.

"I'm taking Esme to the hospital. Call your assistant to take care of you."

When Esmeralda opened her eyes again, she was in a hospital ward.

Edward, who hadn't slept all night, finally exhaled when he saw her open her eyes.

Their gazes met and lingered for a long time, neither of them saying a word.

He finally poured her a glass of warm water, tucked the blanket around her, then called the doctor to run another check and carefully noted every instruction.

He even canceled all his meetings, despite Donovan Nicholson waiting anxiously outside the door.

Watching that, Esmeralda finally spoke. "You should go to work. I can take care of myself. This isn't something you need to do."

His hand paused mid-motion, his voice soft but heavy. "I should do it, Esme. Don't you remember? You were the one who used to take care of me like this."

A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes.

Back then, when he had lost his sight and been cast aside by his family, she had stayed.

She had learned Braille to teach him, helped him read, took him for walks in the sun, and cooked all his favorite dishes.

It felt as if she had stolen a piece of the moon for herself. The once-dim world around her was filled with light.

Those seven years had been the happiest of her life.

But the moon was never hers. Now, she couldn't go back.

That afternoon, the doctor escorted her to the examination room.

Half an hour later, a nurse helped her back to her ward.

As she pushed the door open, she saw Edward holding her phone, his brow furrowed and his voice cold as he spoke to Georgia.

"I've told you before that Esme and I love each other. I don't care about her background. You can stop interfering. I'm going to marry her, and she's not leaving me."

Hearing the sound, he looked up at her, and a moment later, Georgia's puzzled voice came through the phone.

"What do you mean she's not leaving? Didn't you know? Esmeralda already agreed to leave the country a few days ago..."

The conversation on the phone cut off abruptly.

Esmeralda stumbled forward on unsteady feet, snatched her phone from Edward's hand, and ended the call.

Startled, he stared at her, unable to understand why she looked so shaken.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing his confused expression, she realized he hadn't heard what Georgia said at the end.

She breathed a sigh of relief. She looked away and forced her voice to stay calm. "It's nothing. I just don't want you arguing with your family over me anymore."

The Ferguson family had been in constant turmoil over their relationship, doing everything they could to break them apart. He had fought with them more than once because of her.

Her words soothed him enough that he didn't press further. Instead, he asked about her test results.

"The doctor said it's nothing serious. I can be discharged."

In the days after they returned home, Edward barely went out at all. He stayed by Esmeralda's side the entire time.

But she was no longer the cheerful, lively woman she once was. She often sat in the corner in silence, staring into nothing, her spirit dimmed.

He couldn't figure out what was wrong. When he tried to hold her and comfort her, she quietly stood up and said, "I don't feel well. I'm going to rest for a bit."

Her distance caught him off guard.

He assumed she was still upset about what had happened that night, so he decided to surprise her.

For her birthday, he organized a grand celebration.

Out of respect for Edward, nearly everyone in his circle attended.

In his presence, they were polite to Esmeralda.

But the moment he stepped away, their words turned sharp and cruel.

"If it weren't for Mr. Ferguson, I'd never come to a maid's daughter's birthday party. Just being here feels beneath me."

"I can't imagine what he sees in her. She reeks of cheapness and small-town air."

"Mr. Ferguson's loyal, I'll give him that. But if it were me, I'd pay her off and be done with it. Marrying her would disgrace the entire Ferguson family!"

Even though she was the guest of honor, Esmeralda stood alone at the party, unnoticed and forgotten.

Their whispered insults pricked at her from every direction, and exhaustion pressed down on her like a weight.

If not for the fear of making Edward suspicious, she would never have come.

Every minute of that evening felt unbearable.

Around 7:00 p.m., the atmosphere suddenly shifted.

All at once, the guests turned toward the entrance. The disdain on their faces vanished, replaced by eager smiles.

News traveled fast in their circle. Everyone knew about Edward's public fight over Elizabeth. Seeing him now, it was obvious he still cared, and so they rushed to flatter him without hesitation.

"Mr. Ferguson, so you stepped out earlier to pick up Ms. Burton! After all these years, your bond is still strong!"

"Of course it is! They're childhood sweethearts. Just look at her. She's elegant and graceful. She and Mr. Ferguson make the perfect pair."

As the crowd murmured approvingly, Esmeralda turned and saw Elizabeth walking in, arm linked with Edward's.

She wore a luxurious designer gown, her diamond necklace glittering under the chandelier. Her delicate features and poised demeanor exuded the kind of effortless refinement that only wealth could cultivate.

Even beside Edward's commanding presence, she stood her ground flawlessly.

A pang twisted in Esmeralda's chest. She suddenly remembered the faceless sketch Edward had once drawn after regaining his sight.

He'd said it was just something he'd drawn for fun. She hadn't thought much of it then, only that it was beautiful.

But now, seeing Elizabeth, she finally understood who the woman in that sketch had been.

It had never been about rekindling a lost love. He had never stopped loving her in the first place.

Lowering her gaze, Esmeralda turned to leave, but Elizabeth's voice rang out behind her.

"Ms. Wallace! I heard that it's your birthday today. I hope you don't mind me crashing the party. I brought you a gift."

She motioned to someone, who led over a small, snow-white puppy on a leash.

"His name is Ralda. Isn't he adorable?"

The playful puppy bounded toward her, tail wagging. Esmeralda instinctively stumbled back, bumping into the table behind her.

Her face went pale, panic flickering in her eyes.

"Please take it away. I don't like dogs."

At her words, Elizabeth's smile faltered.

"Eddie, is Ms. Wallace still upset about what happened last time? Maybe I should go. I don't want to make things awkward."

She turned to leave, but Edward quickly stopped her, frowning at Esmeralda.

"She meant well, Esme. Don't you love animals? Just take it."

Seeing the faint irritation in his eyes, Esmeralda clenched her hands so tightly her nails dug into her palms. She turned toward Donovan instead.

"Mr. Nicholson, I'm wearing heels. Would you mind holding the dog for me?"

The people around her started whispering again, their tones dripping with mockery, saying she didn't know her place and loved to put on airs.

Edward seemed to think the same—that she was deliberately giving Elizabeth the cold shoulder—so he led her inside, his expression dark and unreadable.

Soon the hall emptied, and she was alone.

She poured herself a glass of water, trying to calm her trembling hands and the panic rising in her chest.

Once, she really had loved dogs.

But five years earlier, during a violent storm and blackout, Edward had fallen dangerously ill with a high fever. She'd run through the rain to find a doctor.

A neighbor's dog had chased her down the street and bitten into her leg, tearing away flesh.

She endured the pain until she was sure he was safe before getting her wound treated.

Since then, she had been terrified of dogs. But she never told him because she didn't want him to worry.

Even through the thin fabric of her dress, she could still feel the scar beneath her skin.

The guests, ever quick to take cues from power, now treated her with open disdain after seeing Edward's indifference.

When it came time for the celebration, everyone gathered around Elizabeth as if she were the one being honored.

When Edward's mood finally lightened, he called Esmeralda over to blow out the candles.

She walked over quietly, just as Elizabeth let out a delighted exclamation.

"Oh wow! What a coincidence! Ms. Wallace, the puppy shares your birthday. Why don't you two celebrate together?"

Laughter rippled through the crowd, muffled behind hands.

Esmeralda's nails bit deeper into her palms when she caught the taunting glint in Elizabeth's eyes.

She drew a slow breath and said coldly, "In that case, let the puppy blow out the candles. Everyone can sing to it instead. I'll excuse myself."

As she turned to leave, Edward's jaw tightened.

"Esme! This is your birthday party. What will others think if you walk out now?"

She ignored him and kept going.

Losing patience, Edward caught up to her, gripping her wrist and murmuring sharply in her ear before guiding her back to the cake.

"Be reasonable. Everyone here moves in the same circles. If you storm off now, the gossip will get back to my family, and they'll be even more against us."

Against us? What us?

He had already married Elizabeth. What was there left for them to oppose?

All around her, the cheerful tune of "Happy Birthday" began to play.

Esmeralda's lips curved slightly, but her face was frozen like a statue carved from ice.

Someone suddenly picked up the puppy and placed it in her arms. Goosebumps prickled across her skin.

Midway through the song, the puppy squirmed free, leaping out of her hold.

It barreled straight into the towering champagne display. The tower collapsed toward Esmeralda and Elizabeth.

Screams erupted around the hall as glass shattered and liquid splashed everywhere.

Through the chaos, Esmeralda saw one clear image—Edward shielding Elizabeth with his body, pulling her out of harm's way.

The falling glass struck Esmeralda instead, slicing her shoulder open.

Blood streaked down her arm, staining her white dress crimson.

She collapsed to the floor with a stifled groan, cold sweat beading across her forehead.

Hearing the commotion, Edward turned around. Seeing her injured, he took a step forward, but then Elizabeth shrieked.

"Eddie! The puppy scratched me! What if it has rabies?"

He glanced at the faint red mark on her ankle, hesitated for a moment, then gave a curt order to Donovan.

"Take Esme to the hospital to treat her wounds."

And with that, he left with Elizabeth.

The guests began to file out as well, each one tossing in a parting jab before they left.

"Ralda, Esmeralda—Ms. Wallace really does know how to pick a name, doesn't she? She's just like a stray dog that's lost its home."

"Don't insult the puppy! Ralda's adorable—unlike certain mangy dogs who think they can climb too high."

Every word cut deep, echoing painfully in Esmeralda's ears.

She looked down at her torn, bloodstained dress and the chaos around her. Her throat burned, her nose stung, and tears welled up uncontrollably.

The "Happy Birthday" sign above the cake came loose and fell, landing right at her feet.

She picked it up, staring at the empty, wrecked hall as the last of the guests disappeared. Finally, her tears fell freely.

Her 23rd birthday had ended in ruins.

It was nearly dawn when Esmeralda finally dragged her exhausted body home.

The moment she turned on the lights, her phone buzzed several times.

It was a series of messages from Elizabeth.

"You've been liking all my posts lately, so I'm sure you already know that Eddie and I got our marriage certificate, right? He even promised me a wedding in the Maldives. I've seen the plans, and they're magnificent. Every single detail is just like what we dreamed of when we were young. I can't believe he still remembers after all these years.

"I really should thank you. If it weren't for you, he would still be blind. You took such good care of my husband for seven whole years. I owe you for that."

The taunting words flashed across the screen, bold and unrestrained. Esmeralda didn't even have the strength to be angry anymore.

She set her phone aside, lay back on the bed, and drifted into a deep, heavy sleep.

That night, Edward still didn't come home. He only sent a short message.

"Esme, I still have some things to handle. Are your injuries bad? If they hurt too much, tell me and I'll come back right away."

She stared at the message for a long time, her expression unreadable, before typing a single reply.

"Don't bother."

She thought, "Edward, from this moment on, I'll never need you anymore."

When her shoulder wound finally scabbed over, Esmeralda went alone to the Ferguson's villa.

It was the place she and Edward had lived together when he was blind.

She picked up a shovel and walked to the old tree in the courtyard.

Beneath it was something they had buried on his 18th birthday—their "shared wishes."

She dug carefully until a small iron box appeared. The metal was rusted, the glass jar inside fogged with moisture.

She opened it, unfolded a star-shaped slip of paper, and saw her own handwriting.

"I hope Eddie can see the world again. I hope his life will be peaceful. I hope I can stay by his side forever."

Every wish she had made was about him.

Some had come true.

Some never would.

She then unfolded the paper he had written.

"I wish to see again. I wish Eliza a lifetime of happiness."

Every word was about him and Elizabeth, not her.

So he truly had never blamed Elizabeth for abandoning him. He had risked everything for her, suffered blindness for her, and had never once regretted it.

A bitter smile touched Esmeralda's lips. She tore up her own note and tossed the pieces down the drain. Then, she reached for the necklace around her neck.

It was the first gift he had ever bought her—with the money he earned from his very first deal after returning to the Ferguson family.

She had scolded him for spending so much, but he had just held her close, kissing her forehead with a smile.

"Esme, they say it's cold at the top, but as long as you're with me, I'll always have the strength to keep climbing. It's just a necklace. One day, everything I have, including me, will belong to you."

Now, she buried that necklace, along with everything else that had ever tied her to him.

When the dirt was leveled, she turned to leave, but just as she reached the door, she ran into Edward and Elizabeth.

His expression flickered with surprise.

"Esme? What are you doing here?"

She looked at him calmly and asked, "What about you? What are you doing here with her?"

Before he could answer, Elizabeth smiled sweetly and spoke first. "It's been so long since I heard Eddie play the piano. He said the one he used is still here at the Ferguson's villa, so we came to pick it up. Ms. Wallace, you know this place best. Why don't you show us the way?"

Without waiting for permission, she linked her arm through Esmeralda's and started leading her toward the manor.

The moment she pushed open the door, countless memories surged into Esmeralda's mind.

The furnishings and arrangement in the room were exactly the same as the day they left, unchanged in the slightest.

Perhaps because he had lived here for so long, returning to this familiar place stirred something in Edward as well. He turned to look at Esmeralda.

"Esme, do you still remember when we..."

"I don't remember."

Esmeralda lowered her head, her voice barely audible.

Edward paused, then pointed to the Lego model in the corner: "Didn't we put it in the study after we finished building it? How did it end up here?"

Esmeralda didn't follow his gaze, answering him calmly, "You can't see, so many memories are like illusions, all jumbled and confused."

Just like how she once thought Edward loved her.

But in reality, his feelings for her were nothing more than a mirage born out of desperation.

Because he couldn't see and had to rely on touch, she was like a cane guiding him, which was why he thought she was important.

But once he regained his sight and could do anything he wanted, she no longer mattered.

And she, too, had believed that the support of their youth could carry them through all the storms.

In the end, it was all just an illusion, a dream that vanished into nothingness.

Seeing the fleeting loneliness on Esmeralda's face, Edward felt a tightness in his chest.

He wanted so much to ask her what was wrong, but she turned away and went to the balcony.

"The piano is in the last room at the end of the hallway. You can go yourselves."

Listening to the sound of footsteps fading away, Esmeralda sat in the rocking chair and slowly closed her eyes.

Before long, the sunlit sky suddenly turned gloomy, and raindrops began to fall.

She got up and returned to the living room, only to hear the sound of a piano coming from nearby.

It was the first piano piece she had ever heard in her life, "Liebestraum."

As she listened, she felt as if she had returned to that summer when she was ten, unconsciously following the sound.

Through the window, she saw Edward and Elizabeth sitting at the piano, playing a duet.

Even after all these years, their tacit understanding had not faded in the slightest. Just as before, and after seven years, the look in his eyes when he gazed at her was still filled with endless affection.

So it turned out Edward loved Elizabeth so deeply that even though she had abandoned him for seven whole years, he had never forgotten her.

Yes, they were both born to privilege, while she was just the daughter of a housekeeper. Why did she insist on barging into a world that didn't belong to her, foolishly dreaming of having someone who was never hers?

If time could start over, she would not have fallen in love with Edward at first sight, would not have secretly liked him, and would never have run out to care for him during his blindness for seven whole years.

The sound of the piano gradually faded, and finally fell silent.

At some point, Elizabeth's hand rested on Edward's, slowly sliding upward.

Through the window, she saw Elizabeth climb onto his shoulder and offer him her red lips.

"Eddie, I know you still love me..."

At that moment, Esmeralda could no longer hold back and turned to leave.

The rain fell harder and harder, drenching her completely.

Her mind was a blur; at times she felt like a withered blade of grass on the edge of a cliff, at others like a lonely boat overturned by the waves.

Rootless and drifting, floating wherever the wind took her.

Even her tears were lost in the rain.

No trace of them could be found again.

After arriving home, Esmeralda took out her suitcase and began packing the last of her belongings.

She was busy until midnight, and Edward still hadn't returned. She no longer cared.

The next day, Esmeralda went to the immigration office and retrieved all her documents.

On her way back, she booked a plane ticket for a flight departing that afternoon.

When the car stopped at the gate, she saw the Maybach parked in the yard and quickened her pace.

As soon as she entered the bedroom, she saw Edward walking over to the suitcase, seemingly about to open it.

In her panic, she could only blurt out, "Weren't you with Elizabeth? Why are you back?"

Edward froze completely.

He slowly turned around, and in the instant he lifted his head, there was anger in his eyes.

He walked up to Esmeralda, his tone filled with deep helplessness: "Esme, what are you imagining again? I told you, I will never have anything to do with Elizabeth again."

Never have anything to do with her again?

But to protect her, you even went so far as to get a marriage certificate.

Esmeralda laughed through her tears, still choosing not to expose him.

"Then I must have misunderstood."

Seeing that there was nothing unusual on her face, Edward finally breathed a slight sigh of relief: "Tonight the Ferguson family is having a family dinner. My family has agreed that I can bring you with me."

Hearing this, Esmeralda was stunned.

His parents agreed?

Seeing her dazed expression, Edward gently rubbed her head and handed her a card.

"Esme, don't worry. One day, I will make sure you are accepted by them and can stand proudly by my side. I'm a bit tired now and want to rest for a while. Let Donovan accompany you to pick out a few suitable dresses, alright?"

Esmeralda stared at the card for a long time before taking it.

"You rest. I'll go by myself."

Edward rubbed his temples and nodded.

Esmeralda put the documents she had just retrieved into her bag.

Edward lay down on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.

Looking at the face that hadn't changed much since he was seventeen, Esmeralda was slightly lost in thought.

For the last time, she raised her hand and gently traced down from his brow.

Perhaps sensing her small movement in his sleep, Edward grabbed her hand and murmured softly.

"Eliza, stop fussing."

Hearing this sleep-talk, Esmeralda smiled silently.

She withdrew her hand, picked up her luggage, and went downstairs.

The villa was very quiet; the servants were all taking their lunch break.

No one knew she had left.

On the way to the airport, Esmeralda blocked and deleted all of Edward's contact information.

Then, she deactivated all her social media accounts.

In the bustling airport, people came and went. She looked at the flickering display screen and made one last phone call.

"Mrs. Ferguson, I have arrived at the airport as promised. I am about to board and leave."

On the other end, Georgia was very satisfied, her tone barely concealing her delight.

"Good. As long as you don't show up at tonight's family dinner, the remaining money will be transferred to your account. Then, goodbye."

Listening to the boarding announcement over the loudspeaker, she gently shook her head.

"No, Mrs. Ferguson, it's goodbye forever."

After that, Esmeralda hung up the phone, tossed her cell into the trash, and walked into the boarding gate.

With long, determined strides.

Without looking back.