She had once believed her love could seep into his world like a gentle spring rain, melting the ice around his heart.


    But reality hit her like a resounding p, leaving her dizzy and disoriented.


    She struggled on the edge of love and despair, like a moth drawn to a me. She knew it meant destruction, but she charged ahead without hesitation.


    This time, she didn''t dare. She wouldn''t get a second chance at life.


    Natalie put down her book, went to the bathroom, and after a shower, she slipped into bed and went to sleep.


    ***


    That evening, Sebastian was drinking with Julian, his other good friend Adrian, and a few other acquaintances.


    Sebastian didn''t drink much. He often attended such gatherings for business matters.


    But he checked his phone countless times. There were no messages from Natalie.


    Sean couldn''t drink as he had to drive Sebastian home, so he sat to the side ying on his phone.


    He deliberately tried to avoid the trending topics about Joanna, but as soon as he opened his browser, they were all over the page.


    He was disgusted by Joanna. He opened his chat with Luna.


    [Luna, when is this Joanna news going to die down? It''s pretty disgusting to look at.]


    Luna: [Isn''t she your boss''s first love? What are you disgusted about?]


    Sean: [What first love? She''s ancient history.]


    Sean and Luna chatted back and forth happily, oblivious to the people and surroundings.


    Julian and Adrian were deep in conversation.


    Across from them sat several rich heirs, beautiful women in their arms, drinking intimately.


    Adrian took a sip of his red wine and looked at Sebastian sitting beside him.


    An oppressive aura surrounded him. He sat with a naturally straight posture, but his


    handsome face was grim as he stared down at the phone in his hand.


    Adrian was cut from the same cloth as Julian-a yboy who lived a life of indulgence.


    But when it came to work, he was mature and steady.


    Tonight, Adrian wasn''t in a suit. He


    wore a casual, beige sweater, his


    posture rxed. Every move


    made was filled with


    he


    confidence and


    elegance, like a noble prince.


    Adrian gestured toward Sebastian and asked Julian with a yful smile, "What''s wrong with Sebastian? Did he have a fight with Joanna He''s been gloomy ever


    since he got here, constantly


    checking his phone."


    In Adrian''s eyes, Joanna was the apple of Sebastian''s eye. He had seen the news,


    but he didn''t believe Joanna would cheat on him with another man.


    He guessed Sebastian was probably upset about the whole Joanna situation.


    Julian nced at the downcast Sebastian and smiled. "Who knows? Maybe he''s just in a bad mood."


    Adrian nudged the man next to him. "Sebastian, are you stressing over this Joanna business? She''s pregnant. It''s your kid, right?"


    Sebastian froze at his words.


    He thought the same thing. Was the child his?


    He warned in a hoarse voice, "Don''t talk nonsense. No one will think you''re a mute if you keep your mouth shut."


    Adrian let out an exasperatedugh. "What''s with the attitude? I was just worried you were upset."


    "Besides, what''s there to be upset


    about? Just divorce and marry Joanna, and all your problems are solved. Is that Natalie woman refusing to sign the papers? A


    County in who doesn''t know..


    anything really thinks she can be thedy of the Griffith family?"


    "If she can, so can my sister. And my sister is so much more outstanding."


    Adrian beamed with pride whenever he mentioned his sister.


    Sebastian shot him a cool nce. "Who told you Natalie was a country bumpkin?"