The listener on the line questioned: "Isn't that good? It means the male lead still cared deeply for the female lead at the time."

"Yes, at the time, he did."

Clara said softly, "Later, the elders of both families intended to play matchmaker and intentionally led Clara away."

"Julian remained unmoved, even telling Melody quite seriously: 'I will only ever love Clara in this life. Please give up.'"

"Clara, who had hurried back and overheard this, finally felt her heart settle."

"Because from the first moment she saw Melody, inferiority had coiled around her like vines."

"Julian had been naturally gifted in music since he was a child. He played the violin well in his student days, but that hobby had been shelved while he struggled for a living."

"Once his career stabilized, he suddenly felt something was missing from his life. He picked up the interest again, attending operas and studying classical music."

"Clara knew nothing about these things. But to keep up with him, she forced herself to learn and memorize, learning the biographies of Bach and Mozart by heart. Yet, in the end, she lacked that spark of talent, that genuine passion."

"Although Julian always said 'it doesn't matter,' Clara could see the disappointment in the depths of his eyes."

"And Melody Sterling happened to fill that void."

Clara paused, her eyes lingering on the comments scrolling on the monitor:

[I get it! Intellectual and spiritual resonance is so important!]

[But the male lead is hurting her so much; she gave everything for him...]

[So it was a lack of spiritual compatibility?]

"They 'ran into each other' at the opera house."

Clara continued the narration, the words "ran into each other" laced with hidden meaning:

"The proximity of neighboring seats allowed Melody to precisely capture the passion for music in Julian's eyes."

"During intermission, she took the initiative to start a conversation: 'Baroque music is the most enchanting. I find new insights every time I hear The Art of Fugue, as if it washes away the vanity of the world.'"

"Julian, who had already stood up to leave, froze instantly. A spark of surprise flashed in his eyes: 'You like Bach too?'"

"Melody nodded: 'His music always resonates with my inner self.'"

"In that moment, Julian’s eyes lit up, as if he had found a soulmate."

"Once the conversation started, it couldn't be closed. Clara stood to the side like a complete outsider, unable to interject a single word."

"When the show ended, Melody gracefully suggested exchanging contact information: 'Even if we aren't partners, we can be kindred spirits and friends.'"

"She carried herself with such poise and transparency that Julian looked at Clara and, in the end, politely declined."

"Melody wasn't angry; instead, she smiled and wished them 'a long and happy life together'."

The listener couldn't help but interrupt: "So far, I feel like this Melody sounds like a very classy woman. She doesn't seem like the type to destroy a relationship?"

Clara smiled faintly. "Because I am telling you about the Melody Sterling seen through Julian Vance's eyes."

"But stories in this world rarely escape clichéd plots."

"Someone who appears gentle and generous on the surface may have another face that is horrifyingly cruel."

"Whether it was true fate or a human arrangement, after that, Julian seemed to 'run into' Melody at every musical event. As it happened more often, they eventually added each other's contact information."

"It wasn't that Clara lacked a sense of crisis. After the first encounter, she worked even harder to learn things she had no interest in, even enrolling in classical music appreciation classes. But she could never compare to Melody, who had been immersed in music since childhood."

"The other woman’s beauty, elegance, and erudition made Clara feel like an ugly duckling that had stumbled into a flock of swans."

"And while she was being consumed by her inferiority, Julian was gradually falling."

"The look in his eyes when he saw Melody slowly gained a spark, and their private communications became more frequent."

"Clara told him clearly that this behavior had crossed a line. But Julian would always hold her and coax her: 'We're just ordinary friends, don't overthink it. I only have eyes for you.'"

"Once or twice, Clara chose to believe him. But as it happened more often, Julian gradually lost his patience, even growling: 'Can you stop being so suspicious! I’d give my life for you; what else are you worried about?'"

The comments in the studio exploded:

[The male lead's words are so hurtful!]

[This kind of moral kidnapping—'I'd die for you'—is so suffocating.]

[I have a feeling it gets worse. Stay strong, Host!]

Clara paused and continued her calm narration:

"Heartbroken as she was, Clara chose to believe him. But she never, ever expected that Melody Sterling would take the initiative to seek her out."

"That day, Melody shed all her disguises. Her eyes were sharp as she looked Clara up and down, sneering: 'The daughter of a murderer and a cripple—how do you have the face to cling to Julian?'"

"She took out her phone and played a video: 'To tell you the truth, his heart moved toward me a long time ago. Last time, he wasn't in Vienna for a business trip at all; he was accompanying me to the opera. We even held hands.'"

"In the video, several foreign friends teased them about being a couple. Julian didn't deny it."

"Clara couldn't accept it. She confronted Julian immediately, had a massive row, and proposed a breakup."

"Julian, usually so proud, knelt before her with red eyes. He held a knife to his own hand and said: 'Clara, that day I only didn't pull away because I didn't want her to be embarrassed!'"

"'Trust me, I have absolutely done nothing to betray you! If you don't believe me, I'll cut off this hand!'"

"Blood dripped onto the floor, and like fire, it scorched Clara’s heart."

"She knew that once a relationship had a crack, it was hard to repair. But thinking of every detail of their past, she simply couldn't let go."

"Most importantly... at that time, she was already pregnant."

This sentence was like a bomb that instantly detonated the studio.

The comments refreshed so fast they were a blur:

[My god! There was a child!]

[If Julian knew about the child, would it have been different?]

Clara's gaze flickered over Julian.

His head was buried even lower, and the sound of suppressed sobbing echoed in the studio.

She withdrew her gaze and continued:

"So in the end, she chose to believe him once more."

"Julian held her tightly in his arms, promising through tears that he would delete Melody’s contact information and have no further dealings with her."

"Clara believed him."

"But she never expected—"

Clara took a deep breath before speaking the next words:

"That on the very day Julian was supposed to propose to her, he ended up in bed with Melody Sterling."

Chapter 7

The message was sent by Melody Sterling.

When Clara Vance burst through the door, the two of them were entwined naked on the bed.

On Melody’s finger sat the very ring Julian Vance had prepared for his proposal.

Caught in the act, Julian was uncharacteristically calm.

He pulled the quilt over Melody, shielding her with his body. His voice was as flat as if he were reporting the weather:

"Clara, at this point, I don't want to lie to you anymore, nor do I want to lie to myself."

"The one I love is Melody. She is my soulmate—no one else can compare."

Clara felt as if she had been struck by a physical blow; her ears rang with a deafening buzz. "Then what about me? What am I to you?"

Julian remained silent for a long time.

So long that Clara almost thought he would reach out, ruffle her hair, and say "I’m just joking," as he used to.

But he only pursed his lips and spoke words as cold as ice:

"Perhaps all I ever felt for you... was gratitude. I was too young back then and mistook dependence for love."

Each word was like a poisoned needle, piercing the softest part of her heart.

Clara’s vision went dark; the pain was so intense she could barely stand. Every word she wanted to scream was stuck in her throat, unable to make a sound.

Julian’s voice continued, as if he were arranging a business matter:

"From now on, we will treat each other as siblings. As for the child... I’ll find time to take you to have it handled."

"Additionally, I will give you a settlement, enough for the rest of your life..."

He said many things, but not once did he say "I’m sorry."

Throughout it all, Melody huddled in his arms like a frightened bird, yet her gaze drifted over Julian’s shoulder, landing lightly on Clara’s face.

That look carried a bone-chilling mockery, as if saying:

See? I told you so.