Chapter 4

Vincent rushed Ella to the hospital to wash off the paint.

Mira Saunders gathered all the paint-stained items, including their shared household goods, and had the staff take them to the dump.

Watching the flames consume everything, a fleeting thought crossed her mind.

This was better. It saved her the trouble of sorting through it.

Mira packed her belongings into a suitcase and left the villa where they had lived together for three years without looking back.

The next evening was a bachelor party their mutual friends had planned for them.

Mira decided it was the perfect chance to tell everyone about their breakup, so she arrived on time.

As she entered the private room, friends greeted her warmly. "Mira, where's Vincent? Didn't he come with you?"

She gave a faint smile. "We broke up."

Vincent's friend, shocked, stepped closer and lowered his voice. "What happened? Are you two... fighting again?"

Mira shook her head calmly. "It's not a fight. It's a breakup."

His friend's face fell, and the others nearby erupted in disbelief.

"Why? You two are Crestwood's legendary couple!"

"Vincent's such a cold guy, but with you, he actually shows emotions."

"Exactly. He turned down a Clinford offer just to stay with you."

"Every New Year's, he'd plan a month ahead to surprise you."

"If you two split, I'm done believing in love."

Hearing her friends recount their past, Mira felt like it was yesterday.

They were Crestwood's golden couple, destined to be together in everyone's eyes.

She had believed it too, unshakably.

That was why she forgave him time after time.

But the wounds she endured never vanished. They piled up over time.

Until they collapsed entirely.

She snapped back to reality and said softly, "It's over."

The door to the room swung open again.

Vincent appeared.

Everyone started to tease him but froze when they saw Ella at his side.

Mira glanced at them briefly before looking away.

Vincent's chest tightened at her reaction.

The next moment, he took Ella's hand and led her to the sofa.

The atmosphere turned painfully awkward.

His friend glanced at Mira, who sat calmly sipping a drink, then at Vincent, whose eyes were fixed on her, and sighed.

Leaning in, he whispered, "Are you two fighting or actually broken up? I can't tell anymore."

Vincent's voice was icy as he chugged a beer. "We're getting engaged in a few days."

His friend, confused, spoke earnestly. "Don't keep fighting with Mira. You've come so far from campus to marriage. It's not easy. You're the guy-swallow your pride, apologize, and make it right."

Vincent gripped his can so hard it crumpled. "Every time, she gets mad at me for no reason, and I'm always the one begging. Why can't she be the one to make it right this time?"

His friend glanced at Ella beside him and muttered, "Fight or not, this party is for you two. Why'd you bring her?"

Vincent's expression stiffened, and he snapped irritably, "She insisted on coming. I couldn't stop her."

His friend said no more.

Thankfully, the group's efforts livened up the mood.

Someone suggested playing spin the bottle for truth or dare.

The first spin stopped at Ella.

Her dare was to confess to any guy in the room. If she failed, she'd have to drink a row of shots.

She looked at Vincent with pleading eyes and said slowly, "Vincent, I like you. Will you accept me?"