I gave Carlo Neller seven years of my life—and all of my heart.

When he lost the family power struggle and ended up paralyzed, even his glamorous fiancée walked out on him.

But I stayed.

Against my grandfather’s wishes, I took a leave from school just to be by his side.

I cooked his meals, pushed his wheelchair, rebuilt his shattered career from scratch. I even paid for the world’s top surgeons to attempt his recovery.

And every time he looked at me, he’d say,

"Kathryn, I swear—I'll never let you down."

The day he stood up again without assistance, I cried with joy.

I bought flowers. A ring.

And I was going to propose.

But outside the hospital entrance, I froze.

There he was—holding Monica Basom in his arms, the same woman who left him when he was broken.

His voice was clear:

“Kathryn? She’s just a maid. How could I ever love her?”

“You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

My fingers went cold. My chest tightened. But I didn’t cry.

I tossed the flowers and ring into the trash.

Then I picked up my phone and dialed the doctor.

"Cancel Carlo's final surgery, please."

***

"Ms. Fermor, the most important thing in life is to know your place. With your status, you're still far from being able to get into the Neller family."

Monica gracefully swirled the red wine in her glass, her words dripping with condescending superiority.

"You're clinging to Carlo for money. After all these years, you must have made a fortune. Take my advice—a smart person knows when to quit while they're ahead."

I looked at Monica with amusement.

She had left Carlo without a backward glance when he was paralyzed. But as soon as he stood up, she rushed to find him.

"How dare someone like her accuse me of being after money?" I thought to myself.

"Ms. Basom, this is a matter between Carlo and me. I don't think it's your place to interfere."

Monica's expression shifted as she forcefully placed the wine glass on the table.

"Kathryn, you should understand your position. Carlo loves me, and we're tying the knot soon."

That's how things stood.

My heart tightened, and I nervously curled my fingers.

Noticing this, Monica grinned with satisfaction.

"If you doubt me, I'll show you. Just wait and see."

When she departed, she brimmed with confidence and arrogance, leaving me utterly unsettled.

Once back home, I nestled into the couch, scrolling through countless photos on my phone as silent tears fell.

They captured moments from my college years to the recent days spent with Carlo during his rehabilitation in the hospital.

Each picture encapsulated seven years of my youth and love. How could I let go so easily?

When Carlo arrived home, the house was completely dark.

He switched on the light, puzzled, and his expression shifted to a frown as soon as he spotted me.

"Didn't I mention I'd be back for dinner? It's so late, and you haven't turned on the lights or cooked anything. Are you trying to let me starve?"

He removed his coat, clearly displeased, and headed toward the bathroom, only to return shortly after.

"Why didn't you even get the bathwater ready?"

I gazed vacantly at the man I had cherished for seven years, a part of my heart crumbling in an overwhelming collapse.

I used to be a high-born lady from New York's elite circle, never having to do any household chores.

To win Carlo's affection, I taught myself how to cook and care for others. Countless blisters had formed on my hands, and my palms were covered in calluses.

Yet now it feels as though my hard work not only failed to resonate with him but led him to take it all for granted.

Carlo finally picked up on my unusual demeanor.

"Are you okay? Are you ill?"

When his hand met my forehead, I involuntarily shivered a bit.

"Carlo, what am I to you? Am I only your maid?"

He seemed taken aback but then offered me a tender smile.

"What's going on with you today, silly? You could never be just a maid. You're my favorite person."

I gazed at him in silence, tears starting to form in my eyes.

Until today, I had never questioned Carlo's sincerity.

I was the only one who remained by his side after his paralysis.

He had explicitly promised never to let me down, yet the moment he regained the ability to stand, he planned to marry Monica, the one who had left him.

With a raspy voice, I tentatively asked, "Did you hear the news? You don't need a household register for marriage registration anymore. Why don't we go get our license?"

Carlo hesitated for a moment before getting up, his smile not quite genuine.

"Kathryn, let's be practical. My legs have only just healed, and our business is just beginning to stabilize. Considering these matters now would only divert our focus. We can discuss it at another time.

"Hey, since you didn't cook today, let me treat you to a meal. How about we go to that restaurant you talked about earlier?"

A heavy sadness settled in my heart as Carlo helped me up from the sofa and led me out for dinner.

The exclusive restaurant he chose had been immensely popular when it first opened, with reservations almost impossible to secure.

I once asked a friend to reserve two seats and enthusiastically invited Carlo, only for him to decline, citing work commitments.

Unexpectedly, he was now bringing me here willingly.

Unfortunately, nearly every dish he chose conflicted with my allergies or dietary needs.

My heart sank further and further.

I knew his likes and dislikes as if they were my own, but Carlo seemed to have forgotten mine completely.

After placing his order, Carlo continued to text on his phone, a faint smile on his face, appearing quite cheerful. He didn't even realize when all the dishes were served.

I observed him quietly, not saying a word.

Eventually, he abruptly put his phone down. "Kathryn, go ahead and start eating. I need to use the restroom."

Suppressing my sadness, I nodded. As soon as he left, I discreetly followed him.

Carlo didn't go to the restroom. Instead, he headed toward the elevator lobby.

The elevator came to a stop on the floor with the VIP private rooms.

I clenched my teeth and tiptoed up the stairs. I just so happened to see him go into one of those rooms.

As the door shut, I caught a glimpse of Monica's face through the crack.

"Carlo! You made it!"

Monica's voice was all excited, and then I heard a gross, wet sound.

I stumbled back downstairs and leaned against the wall in the hallway. I threw my head back, trying my best to keep the tears from falling.

"So that's why he brought me to this restaurant today..." I thought, the realization dawning on me.

He wasn't content with seeing her during the day. He had to hook up with her at night too.

My phone buzzed. Carlo had sent a message.

"Kathryn, something came up at the office. I gotta go. Head home after dinner and be careful."

Then a weird message came from Monica.

"Kathryn, why can't you make Carlo happy? He's so into it!"

She sent a picture of them kissing in a car.

In the dim light, they were kissing super passionately, with drool hanging between their lips.

I felt like throwing up, so I hunched over and started bawling my eyes out.

It all started seven years ago when my parents died in a car crash. I was just walking around like a zombie every day.

Then, at my college welcome ceremony, I saw Carlo giving the freshman speech and my heart started beating again.

I thought he was my whole world and I loved him like crazy for seven years. But look where it got me.

I tried to chill out and get a grip on myself. But just as I was about to leave, a worker stopped me.

She handed me the bill. "Your table hasn't been paid yet. You gotta take care of the bill first."

I was just standing there, feeling totally embarrassed and humiliated.

This place wasn't cheap, and with all the food Carlo ordered, I didn't have enough cash to cover the bill.

After using my grandpa's connections to get doctors for Carlo, my brother got mad and cut off my credit cards and allowance.

And since I spent all my time taking care of him, I didn't have a job or any money.

When I really thought about it... I realized how funny it was in a weird way.

Looking back, Carlo hadn't spent any money on me in the past two years.

When I didn't say anything, the worker's attitude changed a little.

She pressed, "Do you want to scan the code or pay in cash?"

My face turned red as I hesitantly asked, "Can I put it on the tab? Charge it to Mr. Neller who came with me?"

"Sorry, miss. We don't do credit here." The staff member looked me up and down, her eyes full of judgment and scorn.

"Then please wait a moment. I need to make a call." I called Carlo's number—once, twice, three times—but nobody answered.

The thought that he was ignoring me while messing around with Monica made my heart hurt.

A few more staff members gathered around, talking quietly.

"Can you believe people still eat without paying these days?"

"Who knows? She looks nice, but I can't figure out why she'd come out to eat without money."

"Should we call the police? She doesn't seem like she can afford this."

This was the first time I'd ever been in a situation like this, and I felt super embarrassed.

With everyone around staring at me like I was some joke, I finally called my grandpa.

"Hello? My darling granddaughter finally remembered me!"

Hearing his voice made me feel like crying.

"Grandpa..." My voice shook, and I started to cry. My grandpa got serious right away. "Who's being mean to my little girl? Tell me."

"Grandpa, I miss you. I want to go back to New York..."

"Don't cry, sweetheart. I just sent you 80,000 dollars. Go ahead and buy a plane ticket and come home now.

"Wait. Tomorrow I'll have Cedric come pick you up himself!"

That night, I stayed up in the living room till morning, but Carlo didn't show up.

I'd hoped that after all this time, we could at least say goodbye nicely and part ways in a decent manner.

But even that, Carlo wouldn't give me.

I gave a bitter laugh and thought about packing my suitcase.

But after wandering around the house, I realized I didn't have anything to take with me.

Since I had some time, I turned on my computer and got in touch with my grad school advisor.

Two years ago, I left New York in a rush and took a break from grad school.

My advisor said I could come back to campus whenever I wanted.

After sending the email, I felt super relieved, like I was finally getting back on track.

Just then, my phone rang. It was Carlo.

"Kathryn, there's a file in the study drawer. Bring it to my office at noon.

"Oh, and could you whip up two dishes and make some soup? Bring them along. I'm craving your cooking."

"But I..." Before I could say no, Carlo hung up.

I stood there, holding my phone, feeling kind of stunned.

It had been two years, and doing whatever Carlo said felt like second nature.

So for the past two years, I'd been running around doing whatever Carlo wanted.

I swallowed the pain in my chest, found the file in the study, and caught a cab to Carlo's office.

Maybe this was my last chance to see him.

As I got to his office building, the doctor called.

"Ms. Fermor, are you sure you want to cancel your boyfriend's surgery?

"His legs need one last fix. He can stand now, but if he skips it, they'll be permanently messed up soon."

My heart skipped a beat. After a moment of trance, I shook my head.

"Dr. Daebel, thank you for your help before, but please cancel the surgery. We've broken up, and I won't interfere in his affairs anymore."

Hanging up, I made my way upstairs with familiar ease.

This office had been my choice for him not long ago.

When Carlo was cast out by the Neller family, he wallowed in despair like a heap of mud.

I'd cared for him while networking to secure investments. Several major clients had only agreed to partner with his company out of respect for my family.

Yet once the business was established, I held no stake in it whatsoever.

As I reached Carlo's office door, his secretary blocked me in a fluster. "Ms. Fermor, please don't..."

It was too late. Monica's coquettish voice drifted out.

"Carlo, when are you going to get rid of Kathryn? I'm telling you, I won't marry you as long as she's around!"

Carlo panted heavily, interspersed with muffled groans. "What are you afraid of? She's just a powerless maid with no family or connections. What trouble can she cause? Besides, how can she compare to a distinguished young lady like you from the Basom family?"

My head started spinning, and everything went white for a second.

Then I just couldn't hold back my anger anymore.

If that's how they wanted it, I didn't have to be nice about it.

I turned on my phone's camera, took a deep breath, and kicked the door open.

Monica and Carlo were all messy and tangled up on the desk, and it felt like a knife in my eyes.

For a second, the air felt like it froze.

Carlo was the first to move. He grabbed a water glass and threw it at the door.

"Close that door!"

The broken glass cut my hand and it started bleeding.

I just stood there at the door, keeping quiet and still recording like I didn't feel the pain.

His secretary quickly closed the door and stepped back.

Monica took her time to tidy her clothes, then stood there with a smug smile.

Carlo frowned and glared at me, annoyed.

"Kathryn, why are you here right now?

"Kathryn, turn off the phone. Be a good girl and listen to me."

I saved the recording and uploaded it to the cloud before I looked at him.

"Carlo, I'm asking you one last time. After all these years, what did you really think of me?"

Carlo didn't say anything.

After a long silence, he sighed and said, "Kathryn, I do like you. But the truth is, I can't marry someone of your background. My partner needs to be from a high-class family. You... just don't fit the bill."

I thought, "My background isn't good enough? Would Carlo still act this way if he knew who I really was?

"The Fermor family keeps a low profile, but that doesn't mean I can be pushed around."

Right then, all I felt was relief.

Thank goodness I saw Carlo's true colors in time.

Thank goodness I wasn't too far in to get out.

Carlo kept talking to himself. "Kathryn, I appreciate that you were there for me when things were tough, but I can't marry you.

"If it helps, I'll send you abroad to study. How about that?"

I snorted and laughed. "I guess I should thank you for such a small reward."

Monica leaned up behind Carlo and put her hands on his shoulders.

"Ms. Fermor, don't you remember what I told you? Carlo is going to marry me. It's not right for you to keep bothering him!"

As she spoke, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed Carlo on the lips. He automatically put his arms around her waist.

Seeing them get all cozy, my heart still hurt a lot.

"Carlo, remember what you said today. We're done. No matter what, don't come to me. If you do, I'll let everyone online see Mr. Neller's 'heroic pose'."

"Nonsense! Kathryn, I think you're way out of line!"

Carlo lunged forward, grabbed my phone in a rage, and smashed it on the floor.

With a "crack," the screen shattered and went dark.

He pointed at me, spewing a bunch of mean insults and harsh words.

Monica's soft whispers of comfort just made my nerves even more frayed.

Just as I was about to lose it, Carlo's secretary knocked on the office door.

"Mr. Neller, the reps from New York's Fermor family are here. Do you want to..."

Carlo's anger vanished in a second.

The Fermor family of New York, with their deep roots and three generations of success, now controlled half of New York's business scene.

Even the powerful Neller and Basom families could barely get close to them.

Carlo totally forgot about me and rushed out to greet the visitors, almost stumbling over his own feet.

I casually grabbed a tissue to clean the blood off my hand, then followed Carlo outside.

"Mr. Dacre, what brings you here today?" Carlo's overly eager smile made me feel sick.

Cedric Dacre glanced at Carlo, then looked at me and smiled warmly.

"I'm here to pick up Ms. Fermor."