The Fiancé

Lily was in a good mood, holding onto the seven-figure appearance fee. Going home for a drink and to stir up some trouble seemed like a good deal.

"Seven figures? Wow, your mom is generous," Aria said with a tone of sarcasm. She couldn't understand why Lily's parents were so biased, treating their adopted daughter like a treasure while being so critical of their biological daughter.

"What's going on with you and Royce? Still in a cold war?"

Lily took another sip of water, her hands feeling a bit cold. "He's going to the birthday party tonight. Layla asked him to pick me up."

She didn't say they would reconcile, nor did she say they wouldn't.

Aria was silent for a moment, then couldn't hold back. "Sweetie, don't blame me for being blunt, but Royce has fallen for Nadia. Wake up. He doesn't have you in his heart anymore. Why don't you let go?"

The truth was sharp, like a knife stabbing into her heart, leaving a gaping wound.

Yes, Royce had loved her, passionately.

But now, Royce didn't love her anymore.

Nadia.

Lily despised that name and hated mentioning it, but the fact was that this woman, Nadia, had become Royce's second love.

Why couldn't she let go of Royce? Was it love? She had loved him, but now it was more about her unwillingness to accept defeat. After all, she had waited for so many years, and the wedding was almost upon them. The invitations had been sent out.

Everyone knew she was getting married. To give up now would be humiliating. Sure, she could endure the shame, but she wasn't willing to let it go.

She couldn't just give up and let Nadia win.

But what else could she do? Lily gave a bitter smile.

Lily received a call from Royce.

"Your sister's birthday, your mom wants us to go together. Where are you? I'll come pick you up."

Lily, just out of the shower, walked towards the closet with her phone in hand. "Weren't you ignoring me? So, are you reconciling now?"

Royce paused for a moment, then countered, "Do you want to reconcile?"

Hearing his high-and-mighty tone, Lily knew that this topic would lead to another argument. She didn't want to quarrel over the phone.

"Apartment," she said, then decisively hung up.

As night fell, a black car parked by the roadside. Royce leaned against the car door, smoking.

Lily walked over in high heels, her figure elegant and eyes cold as she glanced at the cigarette butts at his feet. She asked with a smile, "Getting impatient?"

Royce didn't move, waiting for her to approach. His gaze casually fell on her as he perfunctorily replied, "No." In fact, he was impatient; he had been waiting for nearly an hour. If she had been five minutes later, he would have left.

Royce knew he had changed. Before, even if Lily was a day late, he would wait for her, no matter how long it took. Now, he could only tolerate an hour.

Many people said that whoever married Lily was lucky.

First of all, Lily was beautiful, a true beauty. Royce agreed because Lily was indeed beautiful. In terms of looks, she was the type many men liked—a glamorous figure, a stunning face, and eyes like gems that captured attention.

Even with light makeup, she was striking.

For instance, tonight, she wore understated luxury brands. The style was modest, but on her, it was charming and unique.

Such a beauty brought great pride when taken out.

Moreover, Lily came from a good family—she was the daughter of a real estate tycoon, a socialite in high society, marrying her meant wealth and status.

This fortune had fallen on Royce; Lily was his fiancée.

Unfortunately, he didn't care about money. As for family background, the Zhou family was top-tier, and he was the young master. The Jian family was marrying up by allying with the Zhou family.

Regarding beauty, Lily's looks matched his aesthetic, but having held onto the vibrant red rose for too long, one day, it would lose its charm.

Just like fine delicacies, over time, they would lose their flavor.

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