After years of chasing after my guardian, Julian, I finally gathered the courage to confess my feelings on my birthday. But his face darkened with anger. "Sarah, don't forget your last name." Yet, three years ago, at a gala, he had pulled me into his arms, whispering in my ear, "When you grow up, let's get engaged, okay?" I took his drunken words to heart, but he forgot them. On the day he publicly announced his engagement to his long-lost "white moonlight," I showed up with a suitcase. Someone smirked, looking between us, asking how I felt. For the first time, I broke character. "I wish my uncle all the happiness in the world. From now on, I'll be studying abroad." He crushed the glass in his hand, his eyes darkening for the first time. Later, he canceled the engagement and stopped me on a street in Paris, bowing his head in defeat for the first time. "It was my mistake. Please, come home with me." 1 "Thank you, Professor Miller. I've decided not to pursue the dance program abroad. The opportunity should go to someone who needs it more." After replying to the text, I exhaled deeply, the heavy burden in my heart finally lifting. Professor Miller at NYU had been recommending me for an exchange program in London to study dance. But my current physical condition could no longer support my dream of becoming a dancer. A cold wind blew past, and I couldn't stop coughing. When I pulled the tissue away, it was soaked in blood. Before stepping into the elevator, I crumpled the tissue and threw it into the trash can. Today was my nineteenth birthday. I couldn't let Julian see this. Three years ago, at a charity gala, he held my hand tight and said he would wait for me to grow up. I had waited for this day for too long. My phone buzzed. It was Julian. "Sarah, are you home yet?" Julian is my guardian, my "uncle" in name only. I couldn't help but smile, my voice lightening. "Not yet, I'm just unlocking the door." His voice sounded unusually tired. "Happy Birthday. I have something to do tonight, but I'll be back before midnight." I understood. I opened the door. The lights turned on, revealing pink flowers and blue balloons filling the room. On the table sat a high-quality blue velvet box, containing the blue agate necklace I had pestered him to buy last month. It was exactly as I expected. My mood lifted, and my courage grew. "Uncle Julian, I... I want to tell you something." "I've kept this in my heart for a long time." Before I could confess, the line went dead. I lowered my eyes, quickly adjusting my emotions. Still full of anticipation, I put the necklace back in the box, waiting for him to come back and put it on me himself. When the clock struck twelve, Julian didn't come. This was the first time he had completely missed my birthday. I felt a moment of daze. He must be too tired, that's why he didn't make it back. Counting carefully, this was my tenth year living with Julian. When my parents died, rumors swirled that they had crossed the wrong people, leading to their gruesome ends. The once-pampered daughter of the Cloud family fell into the mud overnight. My father's life work was devoured by the "uncles" and business partners he once drank with. I knocked on door after door, begging for help. But no one in New York dared to take in an orphan girl left with nothing but massive debt. On the day of the funeral, only Julian came to pay his respects, dressed in black. I had never seen him before. Rumor had it his family was long gone, and he was a dangerous man from the underworld. He reached out his hand, his eyelashes lowered. "If you're willing, you can come with me." And so, he raised me for ten years. 2 The coughing returned. I swallowed a pill with warm water and drifted into sleep as the medicine kicked in. As dawn broke, I was woken by rustling sounds. "Sarah, long time no see." The woman in front of me was wearing Julian's shirt, busy setting the table with plates. Her pale shoulder was exposed, covered in red marks. I was stunned, instinctively clenching my sleeves. It was Elena, the woman Julian held in his heart years ago. Seven years ago, she left without a word when Julian was in trouble. Why was she back now? My gaze shifted, and my breath hitched. I saw the necklace on her neck. It was the birthday gift Julian gave me yesterday. I pointed at the necklace. "That's mine." Meeting my confused gaze, Elena looked at me mockingly. Without surprise, she yanked the necklace hard. "Ah!" A scream pierced the air. She lunged towards me, whispering in my ear with a laugh: "Sarah, you haven't improved at all in all these years." Before I could react, she fell heavily to the ground. The necklace was flung far away. "Sarah, I didn't mean to wear your necklace." I narrowed my eyes, walked over to pick up the necklace, and dusted it off. I suddenly remembered that seven years ago, I had fallen for her tricks often, causing many fights with Julian. I walked up to her, my tone cold. "It's been seven years. Why do you still like framing people? There's no one else here. Who are you acting for?" The next second, I was shoved aside. Julian bypassed me and helped the tearful Elena up. "Sarah, where are your manners?" I froze. "She did it herself..." My words were cut off by Elena. She looked up stubbornly, her eyes red, looking like she was about to shatter. "I know you blame me for leaving your uncle seven years ago without saying goodbye, for abandoning him when he needed support the most." "But back then, I had my reasons." She cried breathlessly, leaning into Julian's embrace as if I were about to eat her alive, a hint of triumph in her eyes. I stood there, unable to react for a moment. Since living with Julian, I had never been treated like this. I couldn't help but sneer: "Miss Elena, save the acting for the stage. Do you think this soap opera routine will frame me?" The air was terrifyingly quiet, save for Elena's sobbing. Julian looked up, his gaze sweeping sharply over Elena. His expression was unreadable. I stood there, watching their gazes meet, and silently clenched the necklace in my hand. 3 Elena wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, glancing between Julian and me. Her tone was utterly aggrieved, shifting the topic away from our confrontation. "If I had known you and Sarah were together, maybe I shouldn't have come back to disturb you." Having my secret exposed, I forced myself to remain calm. After all, my feelings for Julian weren't exactly a secret these past years. Hearing this, Julian raised an eyebrow, his gaze cooling. "What nonsense are you talking about?" Elena's tears fell silently. Without a word, she moved to take off the apron and leave, but Julian grabbed her arm. A stack of photos spilled from her apron pocket. Seeing what they were, I froze. They were candid shots I had taken of Julian, the backs of the photos filled with words of my hidden love for him. But I had kept these on my bookshelf, unknown to anyone. A sense of shame at having my secret discovered washed over me. I instinctively looked at Julian. He looked at the pile of photos on the floor, his brows furrowing deeply. A moment later, he picked one up and threw it into the fireplace. "These are just childish games. They don't count." I panicked, grabbing his sleeve. "How can this be a game? I'm nineteen. I'm not a child anymore." "Uncle Julian, do you remember... three years ago at the Plaza Hotel gala, I came to pick you up. You said... you said you'd wait for me to grow up and..." "Impossible." Julian cut me off coldly, his eyes darkening. "Sarah, I've indulged you too much." "I've always treated you as a child. You shouldn't have such thoughts." I closed my eyes, my face pale, realizing the worst outcome had arrived. It was just a drunken remark from years ago. I was the one who took it seriously. Julian's voice came from ahead, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I bought a house in the suburbs. The deed is in your name. Pack your things and move out tomorrow." I heard myself give a soft, disappointed "Okay." He was probably angry. I always thought I was special to Julian. That he liked me. The kitchen window was open, and the wind blew the photos across the floor. I sniffled, squatting down to pick them up one by one. The cold wind hit my nose, feeling like blades scraping my throat. I couldn't stop coughing violently, sensing the taste of iron rising. I frantically searched my pockets, turning my back to wipe the tears from my face. Julian glanced at me coldly and walked around me. "If you're sick, go to the hospital. The Huo family isn't short on money." Elena followed him closely. I stood up, calling out to Julian, unwilling to give up. "Uncle, you said last time you'd go to the hospital with me. I want to go tomorrow." Julian stopped. I stared at his back, stubbornly speaking again. "I'll wait for you tomorrow." 4 The weather had been dreary lately. It rained heavily in New York. I waited alone at the hospital for a long time, watching the heavy rain turn to a drizzle, my heart sinking. In the end, only his assistant, Wang, came. "Mr. Huo says he's accompanying Miss Elena shopping today. Here's a card, spend whatever you want." I pulled my coat tighter, asking stubbornly: "Did he say anything else?" Wang lowered his head, hesitating. I urged him. "Say it." "Mr. Huo said he hopes you remember your place." "In a month, he will be engaged to Miss Elena." Engaged? I took the card expressionlessly, realizing my relationship with him was gone. He was eager to start a new life, and my feelings were something that couldn't see the light of day. He was reminding me constantly to remember my identity. In this moment, I suddenly felt that holding onto a drunken sentence from years ago was utterly pointless. Fortunately, the results showed no cancer, but I needed surgery. The doctor suggested I transfer to a specialist in Boston or go abroad. After hesitating, I decided to talk to Julian personally. When I arrived at the company, it was already evening. The lights were still on in Julian's office. Just as I was about to walk over, a woman stepped out of the shadows. It was Elena. She furtively adjusted her clothes, took photos of the documents in her hand, and hid them behind her back. Her phone screen lit up, and she quickly found a quiet corner to make a call. It was past working hours, and the office was empty. I followed her to the stairwell, listening to her cheerful report: "Don't worry, I got it. This information is enough to bring down Huo Corp." "Of course. He loves me so much, getting the key to his safe was easy." I clutched my phone in panic, quickly pressing the record button. The voice faded. Elena turned abruptly. The sound of heels approached. I could sense her walking towards me in the dark. I stood up quickly, trying to calm myself as I backed away. I was still shaken when I exited the stairwell. Elena was not simple. I had to tell Uncle Julian immediately. Backing up, I bumped into a broad chest. "Looking for me?" My uncle was behind me, stepping back to keep his distance. I was almost crying from panic, playing the recording on my phone. "Uncle, I saw Elena searching your office. She was on the phone saying she'd destroy Huo Corp..." Julian's face froze. To my confusion, he snatched the phone. His face was dark as he pressed delete without hesitation. "Since I've chosen to marry her, she will be your sister-in-law. I don't want to see this again." "When did you become like this? Using such underhanded tactics?" Disbelief filled my eyes. I realized this was the first time I truly knew him. I used to think my uncle was just distant. I chased after him regardless. Rumors said he was ruthless and never soft on his enemies. Could such a man lose his judgment over love? I tried to hold back my tears, looking up into his eyes. "Is that the kind of person I am in your heart?" He turned away, lighting a cigarette. I took a deep breath, wiped my tears, and gave up completely. "I came here to clarify things. I was immature before and had thoughts I shouldn't have." "From now on, I wish you and Elena a lifetime of happiness." As he wished, I moved out overnight. I waited in the small house for two weeks, finalizing my surgery abroad for the end of the month. While packing, there was a knock on the door. "Delivery for you." I took the package and opened it. It was a gold-embossed engagement invitation. The names were Elena and Julian. Inside was a photo of them. Elena held Julian's arm, smiling brightly. I vaguely remembered today was their engagement party. After packing everything, I went to the venue. Before entering the hall, I heard waves of celebration. "Congratulations!" "What a perfect match!" "Kiss! Kiss!" The moment I walked in, the atmosphere silenced. Everyone's eyes were on me.
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