"You're at the age where you should be dating. It would be good for you."

I couldn't accept Julian’s reasoning.

"Is it just because of that? Or is it because you can't wait to push me onto someone else?"

I stared intently at Julian’s face, trying to see the truth in his expression.

Julian’s eyes were completely transparent. "I just want you to be happy."

The statement was so sincere and open that I hung my head weakly, exposing the back of my neck.

"You don't understand what happiness means to me."

Julian’s movement of drinking water stopped abruptly. There was a flicker of complexity in his eyes as he looked at me.

I didn't see it. I marched past him and went straight to my room.

Julian looked at the locked door and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. When he opened them again, they were cold.

In my room, I threw myself onto the bed, staring at the ceiling light until my eyes ached, just to hold back the tears.

...

After that day, I didn't speak to Julian again.

Until Saturday, when Julian suddenly insisted on taking me to a gathering with his colleagues.

I didn't want to go, but before I knew it, I was sitting in the restaurant.

Beside me, Julian was deep in conversation with the woman on his other side.

The people around them couldn't help but tease, "Look at Prosecutor Julian and Yara. They've been friends for so many years, but they’re like a little couple, inseparable!"

Julian didn't deny it.

And Yara simply looked at Julian with a shy smile.

Watching this, I felt as if someone was clutching my throat, making it hard to breathe.

"I’m not feeling well. I'm going out for some air."

I threw out the excuse and hurried away.

Julian saw this and stood up to follow. "I'll go check on her."

The cold wind on the balcony swept into my collar.

Hearing the footsteps behind me, I easily recognized them as Julian’s.

Thinking of everything I’d heard at the table, I turned around. "Miss Yara seems to like you very much."

Julian wasn't surprised at all. "You noticed."

How could I not?

The love in Yara’s eyes when she looked at Julian was practically overflowing—just like my own!

I asked the fear in my heart: "And you? Will you respond to... her feelings?"

Julian pushed up his silver-rimmed glasses. "No."

I felt a wave of relief, but then I felt a pang of pity for both Yara and myself.

"Just like you won't respond to mine, right?"

Julian said solemnly, "One day, you will meet someone who returns your love, but it won't be me."

My throat tightened, and I couldn't say another word.

Just then, Yara pushed open the balcony door. "Julian?"

Julian looked back, then ruffled the top of my head. "If you don't want to stay, go home and get some sleep."

With that, he turned and walked toward Yara.

I wanted to chase after him, but my feet felt glued to the floor.

I could only watch as the man who never belonged to me walked further and further away...

Late at night.

The only source of light in the room was the phone screen, which read 1:00 AM.

Julian hadn't come home.

I turned off the phone and tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, the phone chimed with a text from an unknown number.

When I opened it, an intimate photo of Julian with his arm around Yara came into view.

My breath hitched. Then, the phone vibrated again.

I swiped down, and a line of text appeared: "Miss Sienna, I know you like him, but he’s mine now."

Chapter 4

In the silence of the night, there was a sudden loud crash.

I stared at the phone I had smashed onto the floor, and fighting back tears, I rushed out of the bedroom to find Julian!

I didn't want to wait hopelessly anymore. I wanted to see him, to ask him clearly...

My thoughts suddenly stalled.

I crouched there in a daze, realizing a moment too late: I had no right.

Julian’s constant rejections and attempts to push me away had exhausted almost all my passion and courage.

I was too cowardly to face the humiliation of him asking, "By what right?"

While I was lost in a trance, I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock.

I looked up to see Julian entering.

The moment our eyes met, he frowned slightly. "What are you doing here?"

He reached out to pull me up, but his touch felt cold.

Before I could answer, a strong scent hit my senses, freezing me in place.

That scent... it was Yara’s perfume.

I instinctively wrenched my hand out of Julian’s grasp. My heart felt colder than my body.

"I have plans to go out with friends," I said, faking composure and heading for the door.

Julian slammed his hand against the door, blocking my exit.

"It’s this late. Who are you going with?"

"What does it have to do with you?" I snapped, regretting the tone the moment it left my mouth.

I didn't dare look at Julian. "You don't know them."

I hurried out and shut the door behind me.

Julian stood there, his empty hand still hanging in the air...

The next day, at the firm.

Foster walked over to my desk with a document. "There’s an advanced study opportunity at the University in the City. It starts in a week. I’ve recommended you."

The law department there is nationally renowned. I was tempted, but if I left, I likely wouldn't be back for two or three years.

That would mean Julian and I...

Foster saw my hesitation and urged gently, "It’s a rare opportunity. You really should think it over."

I clutched the document, my heart full of uncertainty.

Over the next week, despite my repeated hesitations, I packed my bags.

But I wanted to gamble one last time.

I approached the man sitting on the sofa reading files. I briefly explained the opportunity to study away and waited for his answer.

Julian didn't hesitate for a second. "It's a rare chance. You should go."

I was prepared for this answer, but it wasn't the one I wanted.

"If I go, I probably won't be back for a few years. We might not see each other at all during that time. Do you still think I should go?"

"Compared to your future, this bit of time is nothing. For your own sake, you should go."

Julian’s words placed me in the position of "logical choice."

No ordinary person would turn down such an opportunity, but I wasn't ordinary.

I had chosen the law because of Julian—because he was a prosecutor, and a lawyer was the closest position to him in the courtroom.

But in the end, that choice was the very thing pushing me away from him.

My heart slowly grew cold as I made my final decision.

My voice trembled. "I’ll ask you one last time. In all these years, have you ever once thought about accepting me?"

"No. You’re just my friend's sister," Julian replied bluntly.

"Fine. I understand."

I couldn't feel anything anymore. Numbly, I went into my room and brought out my packed luggage.

I had already guessed this outcome, yet I still wanted to try once more.

The result was the same total defeat.

Julian, who had followed me, was momentarily stunned by the sight. Eventually, he only asked, "You’re leaving now? I’ll drive you."

I didn't have the strength to refuse.

The entire way to the airport was spent in silence.

When the boarding announcement finally came, I pulled my suitcase toward the gate.

Just as I stepped forward, I suddenly turned around. Under his startled gaze, I pressed my lips against his—

Chapter 5

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, I had already been at the University in the City for half a month.

Outside the window, the autumn leaves were bleak and drifting.

I sat by the window, watching them, while my friend’s voice came through the phone: "And then? You really just left like that? Julian hasn't reached out to you at all?"

"Mm," I replied, steadying the rasp in my throat. "After things were said so plainly, I didn't know what else to do but leave."

"You’ve loved him for over a decade! Are you really willing to give up just like that?"

I didn't even need to think to know the answer was no.

How could anyone be willing to let go of someone they loved so much? But...

I looked down at the bracelet on my wrist and said hoarsely, "What if I’m not? If I keep clinging to him, we might not even be able to stay friends."

"I’m more afraid of losing the right to even contact him than I am of not being together."