I made an excuse about needing to read and slept in the study.

Lying in bed, sleep wouldn't come.

My phone vibrated.

A message from my best friend, Chloe.

[I heard you accepted the modeling offer from that designer in Paris?]

I smiled and typed back: [I did. Just accepted it.]

[You're finally willing to leave Xavier?]

[Don't worry. I won't let myself become such a wreck this time.]

Ten years ago, to become Xavier's exclusive muse, I had broken a contract with a major agency and was brutally blacklisted.

That period was dark and hopeless.

But what broke me wasn't my failing career; it was Xavier's emotional state.

His prolonged lack of success had twisted him, leading to a severe bout of depression.

I stayed by his side, protected him, willing to burn myself to ash just to be his light.

Many people said I could have had a much brighter future.

I didn't care.

Xavier told me I was his only light.

I was willing to give everything for that.

Later, his talent finally blossomed, and he became famous overnight.

Even after his depression was treated, I remained his only muse.

At the peak of his career, he proposed to me in the most public, grandest way possible.

But neither of us expected that ten years would pass between that proposal and now.

I had asked him back then, “What if you regret proposing so early?”

He shook his head. “Impossible. The people I hate most are those who start something and abandon it. My own mother abandoned my father and me. My depression started with her.”

Did he ever imagine back then that he would one day become the very person he despised most?

A relationship that peaks at the very beginning can only go downhill.

Chloe had seen us at our most in love, and she knew how strained things were now.

Her chat bubble kept showing “typing…”

After a long moment, she finally replied.

[A straight line drawn from a single point might briefly cross others, but it only ever moves toward its own endpoint.]

[Girl, I’ve got your back.]

I tossed and turned.

I kept refreshing my social media feed.

Many people had liked my post. The comments were a mix of clueless congratulations and advice to cut my losses.

Everyone, it seemed, had liked the post. Except Xavier.

I got tired of scrolling and went to the living room for a glass of water.

There, Xavier was making handmade velvet flowers.

He was so focused he didn’t even notice me. He picked up his phone and took a picture.

A moment later, that picture appeared on Sophie’s feed.

[I can’t believe I only mentioned it once, and someone stayed up all night to make these for me. Is this what it feels like to be cared for?]

How sad that I had to learn about my fiancé’s new hobbies through someone else.

I refreshed again and saw Xavier’s reply under her post.

How long had it been since I’d gotten that kind of attention?

Probably three or four years. Xavier had stopped replying to my posts long ago.

When I asked him why he didn’t even like my photos, he’d say, “Babe, my career is taking off. I’m just too busy.”

Now I see. He had just muted my feed and was selectively replying to others.

No wonder he still hadn't seen my post.

I poured my water and walked to the dining table. He finally snapped out of his trance.

His smile vanished instantly.

He held out a small velvet flower. “I just made this. Do you want it?”

The flower was clumsily made. There was even a speck of dried blood on one of the petals.

I picked it up, then set it down. “Is this sad little thing just an accessory for the rose you’re making for her? It’s the kind of thing they give away for free at a store. I’m not that cheap.”

Xavier froze, then quickly recovered. “What are you talking about? If you like them, I’ll give them all to you.”

I shook my head faintly. “No, thanks.”

Xavier’s reaction was explosive, and I knew why he was so defensive.

Sophie had just posted a picture of a new ring, and by sheer coincidence, the ring Xavier had given me earlier was a free promotional item from that exact same brand.

As I headed back to the study, he grabbed my arm.

“Why are you angry? Is it because I broke our promise to retire together and held a secret show?”

“I’m a man, Sienna. I need my own career. Besides, isn’t all the money I make for you?”

“You never used to be like this.”

Wasn't I?

He was right.

I used to believe his every word, convinced that everything he did was to build a better home for us.

Until Sophie entered his world.

Then I discovered that the money in our joint account could be freely spent on gifts for her.

The passenger seat of his car, where I wasn't allowed to eat even if I was starving, could be filled with another person’s snack crumbs.

His principles could be broken for someone else. Just not for me.

I stared at the clock on the wall as it ticked past midnight.

With my last ounce of gentleness, I spoke softly. “It’s been ten years. We’ve both changed.”

“Xavier, let’s break…”

My words were cut off by his ringing phone.

He answered it instinctively.

A cheerful voice chirped on the other end: “Open up, your super adorable protégée is here~”

He didn't even notice how the deep frown on his forehead had relaxed.

“It’s Sophie. She’s dropping something off. I’ll just go get it.”

What needed to be dropped off in the middle of the night?

A cold smirk touched my lips. “It’s cold out. Why don’t you invite her in?”

A flash of delight crossed Xavier's face. He quickly straightened his shirt and opened the door.

His voice was unconsciously doting. “You waited long. Come on in.”

Sophie peeked in, her movements faltering for a second when she saw me.

She quickly recovered. “It’s Xavier’s birthday, and Sienna must have been too busy to get a cake, so I had to do the honors.”

“I didn’t expect you to be awake, Sienna. I bought a portion for two, but if we eat small bites, it should be enough for three.”