Love Lost Never Returns

After my family went bankrupt, my fiancé, Thaddeus Blackwood, firmly broke off our engagement and chose Vivienne Winters instead.

It was Sterling Knight who helped me clear my debts and arranged my father's funeral, rescuing me from financial ruin. For the next three years, he remained steadfastly by my side.

Just when I believed I had found my salvation, I overheard a conversation between Sterling and his friend the day before our wedding.

"Do you really plan to marry Arabella Frost? Aren't you afraid she'll eventually discover that you orchestrated her father's death and her family's bankruptcy?"

"Vivienne has already married Thaddeus," Sterling replied. "I might as well marry her. And if she finds out, so what? I paid off her debts and gave her father a proper burial. I've done right by her."

Only then did I realize that Sterling had deceived me too. From beginning to end, I was the only one truly invested in this relationship.

I stood outside the door, catching every word of the conversation between Sterling Knight and Cale Fabian. The fruit platter in my hands trembled as my body shook slightly.

"Don't you have any regrets?" Cale asked.

Hearing Cale's doubtful tone, a flicker of hope unexpectedly ignited in my heart.

"Everything was for Vivienne. I have no regrets," Sterling replied.

Upon hearing this, Cale rubbed his forehead in frustration and tried his best to persuade him.

"So what if you helped Vivienne secure her position in the Winters family? She still chose Thaddeus Blackwood! Do you really want to hurt someone who loves you for the sake of someone who doesn't?"

Sterling's face remained expressionless as he looked at Cale seriously. "Regardless of who Vivienne chose, that's her freedom. I only wanted to help her.

"As for Arabella, she loves me so much that not marrying her would be the real harm. She won't get hurt as long as she doesn't know the truth. I'm protecting her here."

Cale was left speechless by Sterling's twisted logic. As for me, I could not help but force a smile.

I smiled at my own blindness, my own stupidity, and at the past three years of my life. During those three years, I had seen Sterling as my savior, my redemption.

Only because he had stood by me when the entire Oceanview City mocked me. He not only helped me clear my debts but also arranged my father's funeral.

I found a new shelter in my downfall because of him. And because of him, I harbored no resentment when Thaddeus abandoned me.

Yet now, his conversation with Cale told me that everything was a lie. I had actually planned to marry the man who destroyed my family.

Footsteps sounded inside the room. I could not think of anything else; I could only flee back to my bedroom.

After Cale left, Sterling returned to the room and stood before me, taking my hands in his.

"Your hands are so cold. Are you sick?" he asked, placing