Love, As Fleeting as the Breeze

"Hi there, I'd like to emigrate."

Christina stood at the counter and handed over the neatly prepared documents to the clerk on the other side of the glass.

The clerk quickly stamped each page. The red ink spread like tiny ripples on still water. Then, without looking up, he pulled out another form and passed it back to her.

"Ma'am, your paperwork will be processed in fifteen days."

Christina nodded, turned on her heel, and headed for the exit. But before she could step outside, whispers trailed after her.

"Did I see that right? Mrs. Waldorf is applying for emigration? Did she have a squabble with Mr. Waldorf?"

"Even if they argued, would it go this far? Mr. Waldorf practically worships her. What could possibly make her leave so decisively?"

"Exactly. Five years ago, their wedding was the event of the century. Even someone like me, who barely goes online, heard about it. And three years ago, after her car accident, the blood bank ran out of stock. Mr. Waldorf ignored everyone's objections and nearly drained himself to save her. Then, just last year, when she disappeared for an hour, he mobilized every media outlet worldwide to find her. Now she's leaving without a word—won't that drive him insane?"

The murmurs swirled and lingered, but Christina only smiled faintly. Her expression was calm, but her eyes darkened with a bitterness that deepened with every step.

Yes, she thought. Everyone knew just how much Lucien Waldorf loved her.

Everyone in the circle knew that Lucien Waldorf, president of the Waldorf Group, was ruthless and decisive in business. In his private life, he was famously indifferent, cold, and distant from women. No woman dared step within three meters of him.

Until that fateful gala, where he met Christina.

He fell for her at first sight and began pursuing her relentlessly.

He showered her with mansions, luxury cars, and jewelry. Fireworks lit up the sky for three nights straight as he declared his love. When she casually mentioned craving a chestnut cake that had been discontinued, he drove through a snowstorm late at night, crossing three cities to deliver the still-warm dessert to her.

But what truly made her accept him was the day her parents died in a car accident.

He was in another city at the time but had abandoned a billion-dollar deal to rush back. When he arrived, disheveled and bloodshot, he pulled her into his arms.

"Christina, don't cry. You still have me. I'll always be by your side."

Looking into his eyes, so full of love, her heart skipped a beat.

'He's the one for me.'

That's what she told herself.

But the man who had once loved her so wholeheartedly had succumbed to temptation three months ago. He had tangled himself with his best friend's sister, who had been staying in their home.

Traces of their affair stained the sofa, the kitchen, and their bed.

Lucien thought he had hidden it well, but he forgot—there were no