After a few more minutes of mothering her, Weston reluctantly hung up.

Natalia returned to the apartment. She scrubbed the feeling of the day off her skin in the shower, then sat at the coffee table with a blank sheet of paper. She began to write a list:

Get rid of things. Pack. Resign. Say goodbye to friends. Delete the videos.

Her pen lingered on the last item for a long time. Her fingers began to tremble.

Thinking of the "birthday surprise" planned at the club, she knew she had to be gone before that date. She picked up the calendar and drew a heavy, red circle around the day.

"Circling it so I don't forget?"

The front door opened, and Sebastian’s voice drifted from behind her, laced with a lazy charm. Natalia’s hand stiffened, the pen leaving a long, jagged streak across the paper.

She turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, his jacket hooked over one finger. His collar was open, revealing the sharp line of his collarbone.

His gaze fell on the calendar, his lips curving upward. "How could I forget my baby's birthday? I’ve prepared a massive surprise for you."

Natalia gripped the pen tight. She looked into his eyes and forced a smile. "I’ve prepared a big surprise for you, too."

Sebastian blinked, then laughed. "It’s your birthday. Why are you getting a surprise for me?"

He walked over and ruffled her hair affectionately. "By the way, did you invite your brother?"

Natalia’s heart skipped a beat. Her fingers gripped the edge of the table. She looked up, feigning composure. "Do you want me to invite him?"

Sebastian looked down at her, a complex emotion flickering in his dark eyes.

He smiled, his voice dropping to a low hum. "Invite him. It’s time we buried the hatchet. I’ve fought him for years and I hate losing, but what can I do? I’m far too fond of his little sister. Swallowing my pride for love... there's no shame in that."

Natalia felt as if something were choking her. She couldn't speak.

Sebastian leaned down to kiss her, but she turned her head away. "I’m not feeling well today. Not tonight."

Sebastian paused, then let out a light chuckle. He kissed her forehead instead. "Alright. Get some rest then."

With that, he headed toward the bathroom.

Natalia stood frozen, listening to the sound of the shower. Her eyes drifted to his phone, which he had carelessly tossed onto the sofa. Her heart hammered against her ribs.

She moved silently to pick it up. She tried several passcodes, but it remained locked.

A wave of helplessness washed over her as her hands shook. Finally, she put the phone back exactly where she found it, forcing herself to stay calm. She would find another way.

The next morning, when Sebastian woke up, he found Natalia packing.

The floor was piled with their "couple" items—matching mugs, matching slippers, matching pillows...

Sebastian frowned, walking over to her. "Why are you throwing all this out?"

Natalia didn't look up. Her voice was flat. "I’m bored of them. I’ll buy new ones later."

Sebastian didn't push. He simply smiled. "Leave it. I’ll have the maid organize it for you later. It’s getting late—should I drop you off at the dance studio?"

Natalia shook her head. "No need. I called and resigned this morning."

Sebastian froze, his brows knitting together. "You love dancing. Why would you quit so suddenly?"

Natalia looked up, her gaze steady. "I’m tired. I want to rest for a while."

Sebastian was silent for a few seconds before reaching out to stroke her hair. "Maybe it's for the best. Dancing is exhausting, and besides..."

His fingers grazed her waist, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Your waist is so soft, baby... I don’t really want anyone else seeing it anyway."

Natalia dodged his touch, her tone cold. "You should get to work."

After Sebastian left, Natalia spent the better part of the day purging the apartment of every trace of their shared life.

Standing in the empty living room, she felt a suffocating weight in her chest.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. It was a message from an unknown number.

3:00 PM. Blue Mountain Cafe. Let’s talk. I am Sebastian’s fiancée.

Natalia’s grip tightened on the phone until her knuckles turned white.

Chapter Three

Natalia pushed open the cafe door, the wind chime letting out a crisp ring.

Her gaze swept across the room and quickly locked onto a woman sitting in the corner. The woman wore a perfectly tailored Chanel suit, her makeup was flawless, and every gesture exuded an innate sense of superiority. Natalia walked over, pulled out a chair, and sat down without a trace of emotion on her face.

"I’m Chloe, Sebastian’s fiancée," the woman said, getting straight to the point with a provocative edge to her voice.

Natalia remained silent, merely looking at her with eyes as calm as a pool of stagnant water.

Chloe, clearly not expecting this reaction, frowned. "You’re Sebastian’s girlfriend. He suddenly has a fiancée popping up—don't you have anything to ask?"

A faint, cold smirk touched Natalia’s lips. Ask? What was left to ask? Ever since she had overheard those conversations at the club, her heart had died where Sebastian was concerned. Nothing he did could surprise her anymore.

Seeing her silence, Chloe’s expression darkened. She had revealed her identity expecting Natalia to become hysterical or heartbroken, but the girl before her was like a block of ice—cold and impenetrable.

She gritted her teeth, her tone turning sharp. "The union between the Sebastian and Chloe families is imminent. Sebastian has already agreed. No matter who you think you are, he’ll be breaking up with you immediately. I suggest you leave with some dignity. I can even give you some money; otherwise, you’re just looking for humiliation."

Natalia looked up, her gaze steady. "When will the news of your engagement be announced?"

Chloe blinked, then smiled triumphantly. "Early next month. The exact date isn't set yet, but it won't be long."

Early next month. Exactly after her birthday.

It seemed Sebastian had planned it all along: release the videos on her birthday to dump her, then proceed with the high-society marriage.

Sebastian, oh Sebastian, you truly have no heart.

Natalia’s voice was flat. "Did you bother to investigate me? If you had, you’d know I don’t lack money. If you came here today to humiliate me, you’ve miscalculated."

Chloe’s face instantly soured. Natalia glanced at her and added, "And a word of advice: Sebastian has no heart. He loves no one but himself. A marriage of convenience is fine, but if you actually fall for him, you’re finished."

With that, she stood up to leave. Chloe lunged upward, grabbing Natalia’s wrist, her voice shrill: "What right do you have to talk about him like that?!"

Before Natalia could react, Chloe grabbed the coffee from the table and hurled it at her. The warm liquid streamed down her hair and cheeks, staining her clothes. Not satisfied, Chloe shoved Natalia with all her might.

Natalia’s back hit the corner of a table hard as she crashed to the floor. Her head struck the ground with a sickening thud. Pain flared, her vision blurred, and when she reached up to touch her forehead, her fingertips were covered in blood.

At that moment, the cafe door was kicked open.

"Chloe! What the hell are you doing?"

A cold voice thundered from behind, vibrating with suppressed rage.

Natalia looked up to see Sebastian striding toward them, followed by his circle of friends. His black trench coat made his grim expression look even more terrifying. He shoved Chloe aside, grabbed another cup of coffee from a nearby table, and threw it at her without a second thought.

He then stripped off his coat to wrap it around Natalia, his voice trembling slightly. "Nat, are you hurt?"

Chloe looked at him in disbelief. "Sebastian! I’m your fiancée! You’re throwing coffee at me for her?!"

Chapter Four

Sebastian ignored her, looking down at Natalia with a voice that was uncharacteristically gentle. "Be good. Go wait for me in the car. I’ll handle this and be right there."

Natalia didn't say a word. She let him help her up and walked toward the door, step by step. Her mind was a blank, a ringing sound filled her ears, and it wasn't until she was sitting in the car that she began to come back to her senses.

A short while later, Sebastian’s friends came out first. One of them approached the car and tapped on the window.

"Sister, don't get the wrong idea. This engagement is just family politics. Sebastian didn't tell you because he wanted to handle it himself, but he never expected Chloe would have the nerve to provoke you. He likes you so much; there's no way he’d be with anyone else."

Likes her?

She found it hilarious, but her eyes remained downcast. She sat there without expression, like a lifeless statue.