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When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
Eloise secretly dated her brother’s best friend, Samuel, for two years—believing she was finally chosen over the girl who had always outshined her. But one night, she overhears the truth: to him, she was nothing more than a passing distraction, a relationship born from pity while his heart still belonged to someone else. As old wounds resurface and illusions shatter, Eloise is forced to confront a lifetime of being overlooked. When the past and present collide, she must decide whether to keep chasing love that was never hers… or finally walk away from the boy who never truly saw her. When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"
When I went to pick up my drunk brother, Rhett Minsley, I overheard him asking his best friend, Samuel Horan, "So when are you going to let us meet your secret girlfriend?" My heart raced. Rhett and the others had no idea—I was the girl Samuel had been dating for two years. The next second, Samuel's tipsy voice drifted over. "Why should I? It's just a fling, nothing serious." Stunned and heartbroken, I knocked on the door. *** Everyone turned to look at me. "What are you doing here?" Rhett stubbed out his cigarette and patted the seat beside him, motioning for me to sit. "The driver is on leave today, so Mom and Dad asked me to come and get you." Rhett nodded and said to everyone in the room, "Put out your cigarettes. My sister can't stand the smell." One of them teased, "Whoa, you're so protective of your sister. What will you do if she gets a boyfriend?" Rhett chuckled, swearing under his breath as he affectionately ruffled my hair. "Don't get any ideas. Ellie is pure and sweet. She belongs to a completely different world from trash like you." A man I didn't recognize spoke up. "Ouch, that hurts. Are you saying there isn't a single one of us here good enough for her?" Rhett looked around, his gaze finally landing on the silent Samuel. "Well, if I had to pick, Sam might barely pass. But after what he just said, forget it. I'm not letting him break Ellie's heart." He was just joking, his tone casual, but Samuel seemed uncomfortable. He looked at me, then quickly looked away. "Cut it out. I only see her as a sister." Sister? That was a bit much. I stared blankly at his tense, troubled profile, my eyes stinging. "Ellie?" Rhett's voice pulled me back. "Why are you staring at Sam like that?" I quickly looked away, biting down hard on my trembling lips. Someone teased, "Don't be fooled by Sam's looks. He's not a good man." "That's right, Ellie. He just lost a game, and when we asked what he liked about his girlfriend, he said she's young, easy to control, and so gentle and nice she won't cause any trouble. What kind of answer is that?" "We used to think he really liked her. But guess what? He said he'd let his pity get the better of him, seeing how completely she was smitten with him. Unbelievable, right?" "Also, he refuses to introduce her to us. When a guy does that, there are only two reasons—either he's too possessive and afraid his friends will take an interest, or he figures they'll break up anyway, so there's no point in introducing her. And he just admitted—" "That's enough!" Samuel cut in sharply. He slammed his glass onto the table with a loud thud, and everyone fell silent. The atmosphere turned tense and awkward. Rhett, who was closest to him, frowned. "Why are you getting so worked up? Is it about Maura returning?" My heart skipped a beat. Maureen Mortimer was coming back? Samuel lit another cigarette irritably and took a few drags. Then, remembering I was there, he glanced at me and tossed it into the ice bucket. "Don't mention her." Rhett smiled like a seasoned veteran in romance. "Stop pretending. You just said you don't like your secret girlfriend. Is it because you're still in love with Maura?" Everyone knew Samuel was dating someone, but no one knew it was me. Whenever he was out with friends, he would answer my calls and patiently tell me where he was. No matter how busy he was, he never forgot to send me flowers and gifts every week. Even Rhett once said to me, "It seems like Samuel's fallen in love with someone." I might have looked calm, but inside, I was over the moon. Over the past two years, he had been attentive and romantic. I couldn't have asked for more from him. The only problem was that he insisted on keeping our relationship hidden. He explained that Rhett, being overprotective of me, would go ballistic if he knew about us. I had believed him—until I heard what he said moments ago. To him, I was just a fling—not even worth bringing around his friends. ###Chapter 2 I panicked, my eyes stinging as tears threatened to spill. I quickly made an excuse to go to the restroom and got up to leave. The moment I closed the door, my tears fell uncontrollably. Thankfully, the bar was loud enough that no one could hear my suppressed sobs. My phone chimed with a message from Samuel. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It had only been ten minutes since I arrived here happily. Yet it felt like I had been dragged into icy seawater, my whole body freezing as my hands trembled uncontrollably. In such a short time, I couldn't process any of this. How could I deal with knowing the person I thought I shared a bond with was never serious about me? He only dated me out of pity. In truth, his heart had always been with someone else. A sharp pain stabbed my chest. I took a long time to steady myself before grabbing some tissues to wipe my tears. Then, I walked out. Samuel was leaning against a wall nearby, waiting for me. I looked at him, my tears threatening to fall again. We hadn't seen each other for a month. He had gone abroad on a business trip and only came back today. We initially agreed to meet tomorrow, but I couldn't resist and wanted to see him sooner. That was why I ended up coming here. He slowly walked toward me, staring at my reddened eyes. After a long pause, he said, "I'm sorry." I found those words rather strange. Any girl would want to hear that when her boyfriend made a tiny mistake—this simple sentence could smooth things over. But when things went wrong in a relationship, those words were useless. No explanation needed, just a direct sentence declaring this love dead. "Samuel, aren't you going to explain what you said earlier?" He avoided my gaze without answering me directly. "Why are you being so sensitive? It was just casual talk between friends. Why take it seriously? I think I've been a pretty decent boyfriend." Was I being too sensitive? Perhaps sensitive people got hurt much more easily. I tried holding back, but my tears fell once more. He reached out to wipe them away, but I turned my head to avoid him. I took a deep breath and continued, "You still like Maureen. Then why did you agree to be with me?" At her name, his expression finally darkened. "Haven't you always known? Why pretend now?" he said coldly. The heater was on, and my breathing hitched. I couldn't seem to catch my breath. My chest hurt as if it were being squeezed, and my head felt dizzy from the heat. It was our first time talking about Maureen, and he immediately dropped his usual warmth, becoming so distant that it felt suffocating. As expected, Maureen was his Achilles' heel. I felt like yelling at him, but my throat felt stuck. Samuel's phone rang at the worst possible moment. The screen showed a foreign number with no name saved. However, my intuition told me it was Maureen. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked past me to answer the call. It hadn't even rung for ten seconds, as if he was afraid to keep her waiting. Through the noisy music, I heard his gentle voice fading away. "Maura..." Indeed, my intuition was right. It just never warned me that Samuel didn't love me. When I returned to the room in a daze, Rhett and the others were talking about Samuel. "He doesn't even blush, no matter how much we tease him. Why did he get so worked up today? Could it really be because of Maura?" Rhett took a sip of his drink and said slowly, "What else could it be? For years, whenever he got drunk, he'd call out Maura's name. When she first went abroad, he secretly went to see her. I don't know what happened, but when he came back, he was so depressed. No matter how I asked, he wouldn't tell me. "He started dating someone else, and I could tell he was starting to care for his girlfriend. I thought he'd moved on, but did you see his expression when he heard Maura was coming back? I called him several times before he even heard me." *** I had never seen Samuel drunk, never heard him call someone else's name, and never knew he had gone abroad to visit her. They kept talking about the love letter he never gave Maureen at her coming-of-age party, or how he bought every album she released... It turned out I knew little about him. I stood there blankly, listening as they praised how he loved in silence, how worthy and sincere it was. I forced myself to stay calm, but my nails dug deep into my palm. Even the notorious playboy we knew clicked his tongue and remarked, "His girlfriend is rather pitiful, though. Two years down the drain..." I pretended to rub my eyes, wiping away the tears at the corners. Just then, Rhett turned to look at me. Dropping his usual careless attitude, he said seriously, "Don't ever trust men, Eloise." Samuel seemed like such a good man—even Rhett almost fell for it. He coaxed me into the beautiful illusion he wove, only to shatter it with a mere apology. I nodded and whispered in a barely audible voice, "Yeah, I sure as hel won't ever again." ###Chapter 3 Samuel never came back. Worried something might have happened to him, Rhett gave him a call. After hanging up, he cursed, "That idiot got a call from Maureen, saying she's coming back. Now he's off planning a welcome-back party for her. Isn't he crazy, doing this in the middle of the night?" Everyone burst out laughing. I was the only one who didn't. Perhaps my presence made everyone hesitant to speak freely, and the gathering ended sooner than usual. Rhett was pretty drunk, and it took me a lot of effort to get him into the passenger seat of the convertible. He was unusually talkative tonight, mumbling about our childhood. "You were so tiny when you were little. Since when did you grow up so much? You can even drive me around now." I had just gotten my driver's license and wasn't very skilled yet, so I gripped the steering wheel with both hands and focused on driving. Seeing me not respond, he kept muttering, "Why aren't you talking? You've always been so quiet. You and Maura are the same age, had the same upbringing, and yet your personalities are completely opposite." Hearing her name, my grip tightened instinctively. "Ellie, you're my sister. You can be willful, you can act spoiled, and you can do whatever you want." From the corner of my eye, I watched as Rhett tilted his head, falling asleep after saying all that. But my memories drifted uncontrollably back to our childhood. I was never willful or spoiled. People said Rhett was overly protective of his sister, but we weren't like this all along. I couldn't really blame him—after all, I wasn't very likable. Especially with someone like Maureen around—so cheerful and lovable—I was overshadowed, and everyone favored her more. Both Rhett and Samuel felt the same way, too. They often took Maureen to play games, catch fireflies, climb trees, and pick fruit, never asking if I wanted to tag along. Even the way they addressed us was different. She got affectionate nicknames, while I was always called by my first name. Maureen would ask the boys to play pretend with her—she was the princess, and they were princes, knights, and dwarfs. Meanwhile, I was stuck being her maid since there could only be one princess. I would always blend into the background, but Samuel noticed me. When I was ten, Maureen was obsessed with dramatic fantasies and insisted on having everyone write wish notes, burying them so we could dig them up years later. They helped her buy paper, handed her pens, and dug a hole. I stood behind them with my head lowered, saying nothing. I wanted to write one too, but no one offered me. They pinched Maureen's cheeks and teased her for being childish, yet their shovels never stopped digging. Even Rhett assumed I stood so far away because I wasn't interested. But I was just afraid that even if I got closer, no one would notice me. That would hurt even more. But Samuel noticed. While crouched on the ground, he looked up and saw my red-rimmed eyes. Realizing I was too shy to ask, he suddenly called out, "Eloise, would you like to write one too? "Girls like these things, right? I'll dig a hole for you as well." Maureen had a natural charm that made people like her, and she enjoyed everyone's affection without much thought. But I was different. I knew I would never forget the way Samuel looked at me when he asked that question. Throughout our youth, those bits of kindness and care slowly gathered into a love I couldn't put into words. He was right—I knew he liked Maureen. The cello solo he loved to listen to was from her recital when she turned eighteen. He took ages to master her favorite dish. From what I remembered, he always had eyes for Maureen. And I stood behind them, watching quietly. But he was a gem. Whether as the kind boy I remembered or the confident man he had become, I couldn't help liking him. After Maureen went abroad, he was always in a bad mood. To cheer him up, Rhett often invited him to our house for meals and games. I used excuses like bringing fruit or asking math questions to go into Rhett's room, and that was how I started interacting with him more and more. I slowly grew greedy, hoping that one day he might come to love me. Perhaps my sincerity moved fate, for he started looking at me in a different light. Two years ago, he blushed and softly asked, "Ellie, should we give it a try?" Suddenly, the gentle look from my memories overlapped with the cold expression from just now. "Haven't you always known? Why are you pretending now?" My vision blurred. I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but when I could see clearly again, it was already too late. I crashed straight into the car in front. ###Chapter 4 Lately, Rhett had been bossing me around. "Peel me some grapes and get me a cup of coffee." Riddled with guilt, I did everything obediently. I only had minor scrapes after the accident, but Rhett had a fractured forearm. He winced in pain as he complained, "You're a menace on the road, just like Samuel!" Samuel had been in a car accident before. Not long after Maureen went abroad, he was so distracted that he crashed into a roadside tree and had to be hospitalized for two months. Thinking about what Rhett said yesterday, I asked casually, "Why did he get into that accident back then?" Rhett tried waving his hand—his plastered arm lifted stiffly instead, which looked a bit ridiculous. "Don't even mention it. It was all because of Maura—he secretly went abroad to visit her, and when he came back, he was like a lost soul. "What a pathetic guy. I haven't even seen him lately, and I have no idea what he's busy with. He knows I got into an accident, but he hasn't come to visit." So Samuel knew, yet he didn't even send a message to check on me. Since that night, our conversation ended with his last message to me. "I'll be waiting for you outside." It seemed he couldn't care less about me. Seeing me sitting there in silence, Rhett glanced at the hydrangeas on the coffee table. "Aren't these your favorites? Why haven't you put them in a vase?" Even though Samuel hadn't contacted me, the weekly flowers still arrived at my house on time. I stood up and threw them all into the trash. Rhett looked confused. "They're blooming just fine. Why throw them away?" In truth, I didn't even like hydrangeas. I only cherished them because they were from Samuel. That was why I used to trim and water them, taking great care of them. But no matter how one cared for them, flowers cut from their roots would always wither quickly. I smiled and said, "If they're destined to wither, I won't be able to preserve these flowers no matter how much I like them. Throwing them away sooner or later makes no difference." Rhett was indeed my brother—he could tell I'd been in a bad mood and said he'd take me out. It wasn't until we arrived that I realized we were at Maureen's welcome-back party. All of us had grown up together. Maureen was pretty, gentle, and soft-spoken—the darling of everyone. Even with his arm in a cast, Rhett insisted on coming. The Mortimer family truly lived up to its reputation—this party was incredibly lavish. The venue was filled with freshly imported lilies of the valley. It must have cost a fortune. As soon as we arrived, Rhett's friends dragged him away to play poker. I sat alone in a corner, my eyes drifting as I searched for Samuel. Just then, a figure in a long white dress appeared in my line of sight. It was Maureen. After three years apart, she had grown even more beautiful. The childish innocence she once had was gone—she was poised and graceful now, her smile befitting of a rich young lady. When she saw me, she greeted me excitedly, "Ellie! Long time no see!" My feelings were complicated. I didn't actually dislike Maureen. Among the families we grew up with, we were the only two girls and the youngest of the bunch. She treated me fairly well. But she was just too likable—every adult praised her for being smart and cute, and the boys preferred to play with her, making me seem like a dull, gray little duckling. And on top of that, Samuel liked her. I couldn't quite describe how I felt, but it wasn't anything good. It was like a thorn lodged in my heart, sending a dull ache through me. After a bit of small talk, maybe because it had been too long or because I wasn't good at conversation, things turned awkward between us. I looked around for something to say. "The lilies of the valley are beautiful." She casually picked one and said, "Sam got them from Finland. I don't know how he found out they're my favorite flowers—they're pretty rare here. I didn't expect him to get so many." It was my favorite flower too—short-lived, delicate, and fragile. More than half usually get damaged during shipping, yet he managed to get so many of them. It must have taken a lot of effort. He had never given me lilies of the valley, but that was partly my fault. After all, I never spoke about what I liked. I suddenly remembered going to his office once, where his assistant smiled and asked what kind of flowers I liked. Lost in that illusion of happiness, I didn't read between the lines and said I liked anything he gave me. Now that I thought about it, he had probably gotten his assistant to choose the flowers. Most of them were blue, and the assistant always wore blue suits. The flowers hadn't stopped coming either—maybe he forgot to tell the assistant to stop. I realized he hadn't even been willing to put in that small bit of effort for me. Yet, he was willing to go out of his way to learn Maureen's preferences, doing everything he could to make her happy. Every time I texted him, saying the flowers were beautiful and I liked them, he would reply, "I'll give you everything you like." In reality, he didn't even know what color the flowers were. People could lie, but the little things didn't. That was where one saw love—or the absence of it. ###Chapter 5 At the entrance, Samuel finally arrived late, wearing a slightly wrinkled suit. He had always been a neat freak, yet there was mud on the soles of his shoes—completely out of character for him. After scanning the room, his gaze settled firmly on Maureen. He didn't see me at all. Only when he came within five meters of us did he finally notice me, his steps faltering for a moment. "You're here, Sam!" Samuel truly lived up to the high praise from Arthur Mortimer, Maureen's grandfather. He was a seasoned businessman who controlled his emotions well, immediately masking the awkwardness as he walked over with a smile to greet us. Only then did I notice the gift box in his hand. Avoiding my gaze, he handed the gift box to Maureen. "It took me a long time to find this, which was why I was late." Maureen had spent years abroad. The moment she received the gift, she tore it open and gasped, "Ah! It's the wish bottle we buried when we were kids! "I actually said I wanted to become the happiest little princess in the world. How childish of me!" Samuel's gaze lingered on her face, his eyes filled with love and affection. She had always been a princess, loved and adored by everyone. Samuel was no exception—he not only prepared flowers with great effort, but even dug up the wish bottle buried more than ten years ago himself. However, he forgot it was our two-year anniversary today. To be precise, we hadn't broken up yet. Maureen smiled brightly, the dimples on her cheeks deepening. "This is my favorite gift you've ever given me!" Hearing that, Samuel shot me a wary glance. His gaze made my blood run cold, yet I still asked, "Does Sam give you gifts often?" "Yeah. Even though we haven't seen each other for three years, he sends me gifts almost every month. I received a necklace last month, and a cello the month before." It turned out I wasn't the only one receiving gifts—just that her gifts were tailored to her interests. Meanwhile, I received a pair of earrings last month, but I didn't even have pierced ears. The month before that was a piano, yet I had no musical talent at all. Perhaps I was just a casual afterthought. Still, I was foolish enough to pierce my ears and take piano lessons. Looking at everything before me, I didn't know where I found the courage, but I spoke with a hint of sarcasm. "Does your girlfriend know you treat Maureen this well?" Samuel's expression stiffened, and he couldn't pretend anymore. However, Maureen was distracted by a tall figure in the distance. "My uncle's back. Please excuse me while I head over." After she left, Samuel pulled me into the empty backyard. It was winter, and I was only wearing a thin cardigan, shivering from the cold. If it were before, he would have immediately taken off his coat, draped it over my shoulders, and pulled me gently into his arms. But he didn't. He frowned, his mind entirely on what I'd said earlier. "Ellie, what are you doing?" The cold wind made my eyes sting. I closed them to hold back the ache and asked softly, "Do you remember what day it is today?" He froze, clearly not remembering. I continued, "It's our two-year anniversary. Samuel, you once promised that we'd make our relationship public on this day." He looked down at me, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry. I've been so busy with Maura's welcome-back party," he said hesitantly. Busy people forgot things easily, but only the things that didn't matter to them. Welcoming her back was more important than our anniversary—how ridiculous did that sound? "Were you that busy to even break up with me properly?" In truth, I had already calmed down over the past few days. If he apologized sincerely, I would end things calmly with him. Rhett would've rushed over to give Samuel a beating if he found out. But for the sake of our childhood ties, I didn't want to go that far. Perhaps he thought my question was too forward—his expression darkened, and he frowned tightly. "You used to be so gentle and obedient. What's with your attitude now? I never said anything about breaking up!" A sharp pain struck my chest. What did being gentle and obedient have to do with this? Was that why he chose me—just because he needed someone to ease his loneliness? My voice trembled in the cold wind. "Since I'm only the hidden, casual girlfriend, I'll make things easier for you. Let's break up." ###Chapter 6 Samuel let out a sigh of relief. He seemed like he was about to say something, but held back. Still, I knew he had no plans of saving our relationship. He was probably relieved that he didn't have to be the bad guy. My heart aching, I continued, "One more thing. What right do you have to pity me? That's just absurd. Stop sending me flowers. I really hate the ones you always send." A flash of confusion crossed Samuel's eyes before he quickly looked away. As expected, he hadn't been the one who actually sent me those flowers. The cold wind scattered my thoughts into disarray. Time seemed to freeze as I stared blankly at the man in front of me, who didn't know what to say. His phone rang at the worst possible moment. Judging by Samuel's expression, I knew who was calling. At once, he seemed to forget our argument about the flowers. "What's up? Are Rhett and the others asking for me? I'll head over now." His tense brows eased, and his voice softened. After hanging up, Samuel seemed to be in a better mood. He cleared his throat and said, "Let's talk later, Ellie." With that, he left in a hurry. Looking at the freshly turned soil in the garden, a wave of emotion washed over me. Twelve years ago, he helped me bury a message in a bottle. But just moments ago, he dug up Maureen's bottle for her. He was a clean freak who needed fresh bedsheets daily, yet he didn't mind getting his hands dirty with soil. Did he even remember my message in a bottle buried nearby? I realized I was a fool all along. His kindness and tenderness made me foolishly believe my one-sided love had finally come true. A dull supporting character would never shine, nor make him fall in love. He only enjoyed the way I looked at him with humble admiration when he was heartbroken. Perhaps it was pity, or perhaps he saw himself in me. Either way, it wasn't love. I slowly crouched down and broke into uncontrollable sobs. The villa was brightly lit, but the garden lights seemed dim by comparison. No one could hear my cries against the harsh, cold wind. Just like when I was younger, no one ever noticed me trying to catch up from behind. I didn't know how long I cried, but my voice was hoarse by the end of it. All of a sudden, I heard Maureen's voice from afar. "I'm losing badly, Declan! Come and help me out!" I followed the sound and saw a tall, slender man standing on the second-floor balcony. From where he stood, he could view the entire garden at a glance. Backlit, I couldn't see his expression. I didn't know how long he had been standing there, or whether he'd overheard our conversation. "Declan, what are you doing standing there?" Maureen slid open the balcony door and called out to him. I wiped my face hastily and was about to hide when the man's voice rang out. "It's cold, so don't come out. I'm coming." He turned and gently guided Maureen back inside. Just then, Rhett called. "Where are you? Once you've had something to eat, head upstairs and greet Mr. Mortimer." Outside the game room, a crowd had gathered. A man with sharp features sat at the table, looking both refined and effortlessly aloof while dressed in a dark suit. He raised a hand, and the people crowding the doorway quickly dispersed. Rhett sat across from him, urging me to talk to him. I said softly, "Hello, Mr. Mortimer." Declan Mortimer looked up and glanced at me with a hint of scrutiny, saying nothing. I figured he didn't remember someone as insignificant as me. I had always been a little afraid of him, and I instinctively shrank behind Rhett. Fortunately, he didn't mention seeing me in the garden earlier, so he probably hadn't heard my conversation with Samuel. That eased my mind a little. Rhett played terribly, with barely any chips left. Declan was equally bad at the game, and Maureen lost all her winnings from earlier. Meanwhile, Samuel had a mountain of chips in front of him. Frustrated, Rhett used his arm injury as an excuse and pushed me into the seat. "I can't do this anymore—Ellie, take over for me." I was forced into the seat opposite Declan, meeting his gaze. His eyes were striking—deep, cold, and dark like a bottomless pit. I tossed in a 50,000 chip. Samuel called, matching my bet. Declan revealed his hand and pulled in the 100,000 pot. Samuel forced a laugh. "Mr. Mortimer, you folded last time—so why take mine now?" Declan's lips curved slightly, though his smile didn't reach his eyes. "Sorry, that was the last of it." Samuel pushed his cards forward for everyone to see. "I deliberately broke my hand to match you, just to avoid giving you the win." Declan replied curtly, "You gave up a good hand yourself, so what did you expect?" He didn't look at the chips, nor at Samuel. Instead, his gaze fell on me. My mind buzzed, and I immediately looked away. My instincts were telling me Declan had seen everything. ###Chapter 7 Since then, I continued playing absentmindedly. Within a few rounds, Declan won almost all the chips. Maureen was thrilled, calling for the game to end and inviting everyone out for a late-night meal. But no one dared to move. With Declan there, no one joked around like usual—everyone sat quietly and behaved. He was Maureen's uncle and Arthur's chosen heir. Naturally, he had been the center of attention since childhood. While Rhett and I were still playing in the dirt at ten and five, Declan was already sitting by the window, reading financial newspapers. Back then, he was thirteen. He was only a few years older than us, but he shouldered the family's future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. Because of that, all the kids were afraid of him and called him "Mr. Mortimer" respectfully. Without his say-so, no one dared to stand up. I stretched lazily. My back, strained from the last car accident, was starting to ache from sitting too long. Declan glanced at me without a change in expression and said softly, "Let's end it here." Hearing that, Samuel immediately folded his cards and eagerly asked Maureen, "Are you hungry? What would you like to have?" Rhett teased, "Geez, you only ever think about Maura. Why not ask the rest of us what we want to eat?" Maureen's face flushed instantly. She met Samuel's eyes, and he smiled at her shyly. He never once treated me that way. In the two years we were together, Samuel was cautious whenever our parents or Rhett were around. He wouldn't even risk a glance at me—let alone show his affection so openly. The bitter feeling in my chest rose again. I lowered my head and stared at the table, not daring to let anyone see my expression. Suddenly, a well-defined hand appeared in my line of sight, and Declan pushed all the chips toward me. I looked up in surprise, and our gazes met. He said in a deep voice, "Here, spend this however you want. Consider it my gift to you. "Long time no see, Eloise." He brushed off my greeting before, yet now he was talking to me as if nothing had happened—even giving me chips worth nearly seven figures. Everyone could tell something was going on, and they glanced back and forth between us two. My cheeks burned. Meanwhile, Declan looked at me like he'd done nothing, a faint smile on his lips. It was Maureen who broke the tension. Pretending to be upset, she said, "I thought you were playing on my behalf, Declan. You ignored me when I asked for a car, so why are you pampering Eloise instead?" Declan leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-closed. "Just pick whatever you want and put it on my tab." She cheered, smiling as she shook Samuel's arm, asking him to go car shopping with her tomorrow. However, Samuel didn't move. His hand hung stiffly at his side. He stared at me, something strange and unreadable churning in his eyes. It was the first time he had lost his usual composure in front of others. "Don't you think Mr. Mortimer and Eloise seem pretty close?"