Love Ends at Christmas: A Holiday to Say Goodbye

On Christmas Day, I put on a reindeer-themed lingerie set, ready to spend an unforgettable night with my CEO boyfriend. Noah Levine eagerly unbuttons my top, kissing my body with feverish intensity.

Just then, his phone rings. He answers impatiently. "What is it?"

A sweet voice comes through from the other end, speaking in Farylian. "Noah, what time are you coming tonight? I have a Christmas present for you."

Hearing those words, my eyes fly wide open. That woman is my younger sister, Heidi Miller.

Noah's expression turns serious, like he's handling a work call. He responds in Farylian. "What present?"

The voice on the other end laughs softly. "The present is me, wrapped head to toe in red ribbon. Come over and help me unwrap it. I can't wait anymore."

That night, Noah doesn't touch me. He helps me dress, kissing my cheek with reluctance.

"Work call. Something urgent at the company I need to handle. We'll pick this up another time.

"Remember to wear this outfit next time, though. It's very enticing."

His lie sounds calm and natural. He clearly assumes I don't understand, but I know Farylian. I hear everything crystal clear.

I pretend to nod calmly. After he leaves, I accept the company's overseas assignment. In three days, I'll vanish completely from his world.

When Noah Levine came back, Christmas had already passed. I'd thrown that reindeer lingerie into a street trash bin.

"Babe, I left in such a rush last night that I forgot to give you your Christmas present."

He pulled out a sapphire necklace and swept my hair aside to fasten it around my neck. Because he leaned in so close, I could clearly see the red marks on his neck and smell the sickly sweet perfume that obviously wasn't his.

Knowing the scent belonged to my own sister made my stomach turn.

I grabbed Noah's hand. "You don't need to put it on me. Just leave it on the table."

Hearing the coldness in my tone, Noah pinched my cheek. "What's wrong? Are you still mad that we didn't finish what we started last night?"

I looked up at him coldly and said quietly, "No. I'm just curious why you suddenly left last night, and why you suddenly started speaking Farylian."

Noah smiled. "It's just a client from Farylia. You know my clients are all over the world."

As if trying to dodge the topic, he patted my shoulder. "Don't overthink it. Get ready. Your parents are already on their way to the restaurant. We can't be late."

"After all..."

He crouched down and kissed my lips. "Today is our engagement party."

Looking into his affectionate eyes, my heart only grew colder. Noah and I had been together for five years. I'd always hoped we'd get married, but he kept refusing, claiming he was too busy.

Until three days ago, when he finally got down on one knee and proposed.

That night, fireworks bloomed across Rivershore City all night long. Every burst